Canopy Bubble - Part 2

Covers preparation for fixing the canopy

Materials
The decision to glue the canopy was based on the article from the UK dealer and the desire to achieve a slightly stiffer assembly. The most suitable material available locally is Sikaflex, after a lot of reading and speaking to their technical department the materials were selected. 

Sikaflex 925 UV White - 2 tubes [only one used]

Sikaflex Primer Aktivator 205 - 250 ml fibreglass frame - 1 off total

Sikaflex Promoter 206 G+P - 250 ml fibreglass frame - 1 off 
Sikaflex Primer Aktivator 205 -250 ml Perspex Canopy

Sikaflex Promoter 209 D - 250 ml Perspex Canopy - 1 off 

Brushes small - 4 off

Water proof paper towels - 2 rolls

Fabric wipes - 1 roll

Note: The sealant was the cheapest item in the list but the system will not meet manufacturers specification if these items are not used as outlined.
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This system is not be suitable unless a shroud is being installed or a black border is acceptable as the primer produces a distinct black border on the assembled frame.

Sika Data

Fiberglass - Sika instructions - Organic Window

Reference: Bonding the RV8 Canopy - click here

Preparation
The recess area was sanded with 120 grit aluminium open cut paper.

Marking points for the button points at a 60 mm pitch around the perimeter of the frame.

Next the stand-off's for the canopy, this was done using a standard nozzle placed on the frame and a 5 mm button produced then the tube was raised up and the second ring created with a light squeeze on the gun.

Note: These require 24 hours plus to fully cure 

All the buttons were trimmed back using a sharp box cutter allowing for the 2 mm thickness of the canopy.

The frame interior was sanded using 240 grit wet and dry, primed and sanded again with 320 grit aluminium open cut paper. At this point all imperfections were filled with spot putty and sanded to profile and the frame re-primed.

Two coats of satin black were applied but suffered blush due to the weather. Next day the area was sanded lightly and repainted with two more coats of satin black in the middle of the day.

Buttons applied

The canopy was placed inverted on two stands with a sheet of foam, rolls of bubble wrap from the canopy provide the necessary stability. Masking tape was placed around the interior perimeter 25 mm from the edge and scuffed using a fine sponge sanding block cut into cubes.

Edges prepared

Comment:

Need's two people and do not use white - there is a specific reason to be covered later

I would rather work on a IED!