Windscreen/Fwd Canopy Installation
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2022 6:23 pm
by Skippydiesel
Can you direct me to detailed instructions of how to install the windscreen/forward canopy? Of particular interest is sealing against rain entry.
Re: Windscreen/Fwd Canopy Installation
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2022 11:55 pm
by Bryan Cotton
https://www.eaa.org/videos/20505331001
PM me an email address and I’ll share some other documentation. Unfortunately in my thread all those pictures are gone. Good luck on sealing against rain entry. Should have no problem draining out the bottom though.
Re: Windscreen/Fwd Canopy Installation
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 7:13 am
by Skippydiesel
Bryan Cotton wrote:Cutting and Fitting a Sonex Canopy
http://www.sonexbuilders.net/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=338
PM me an email address and I’ll share some other documentation. Unfortunately in my thread all those pictures are gone. Good luck on sealing against rain entry. Should have no problem draining out the bottom though.
Hi Bryan - did you get my PM response (a big yes) & direct email address???
Re: Windscreen/Fwd Canopy Installation
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 5:58 pm
by Bryan Cotton
Skippydiesel wrote:Hi Bryan - did you get my PM response (a big yes) & direct email address???
I did not! My gmail address is my first name, my last name, and the 3 digits of my Waiex serial number all appended together. Try that. All that info should be in my signature.
Re: Windscreen/Fwd Canopy Installation
Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2022 6:38 pm
by Skippydiesel
Bryan Cotton wrote:
Skippydiesel wrote:Hi Bryan - did you get my PM response (a big yes) & direct email address???
I did not! My gmail address is my first name, my last name, and the 3 digits of my Waiex serial number all appended together. Try that. All that info should be in my signature.
Tried again - hope the PM gets through this time.
Re: Windscreen/Fwd Canopy Installation
Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2022 2:54 am
by Skippydiesel
Has anyone used any form of “sealing” against airframe on the forward canopy/windscreen??
I have found a “rubber” supply shop that has a wide range of weather strip profiles, including several (X sectional) U shaped sealers in soft black material. They also have flat black “EPDM” rubber sponge strip in different widths & thicknesses
Re: Windscreen/Fwd Canopy Installation
Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2022 2:54 am
by Skippydiesel
Surely there is a Sonex owner/builder that has gone down the path of windscreen sealing (or at least considered it)
Re: Windscreen/Fwd Canopy Installation
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2022 4:40 pm
by Skippydiesel
Okay -
I have purchased some EPDM (rubber) 3mm thick, sponge, adhesive one side, strips. I estimate it can compress down to about 1mm.
I am contemplating using these on each side of the windscreen.
First order of business will be to punch screw holes in the strips, aligning with those in the windscreen.
Then stick strip onto outside of screen, forming the “meat in the sandwich” between skin of aircraft & screen, in the hope of form an air/water/dust resistant seal.
For the front of the screen, I have purchased a P (X section) shaped strip of slightly denser EPDM.
The idea here is the round tube of the P will form a seal on the outside of the screen, the “leg” of the P will be flat on the firewall bow and be compressed by screen edge.
Any thoughts??
Re: Windscreen/Fwd Canopy Installation
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2022 4:51 am
by Skippydiesel
I installed my windscreen/forward canopy this afternoon - bit of s struggle (thanks for the helping hand son) but you all know that.
As part of the installation I have also used the above mentioned EPDM rubber strip and P profile- looks good.
The adhesive (one side) 3mm x 12 mm has been installed down each side of the windscreen. The non adhesive P profile on the forward edge/firewall bow. Both were marked & had suitably sized holes pre punched befor installation.
Time will tell if there will be any benefit, in regard to wind (noise) reduction, rain & dust entry
Re: Windscreen/Fwd Canopy Installation
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 2:46 am
by lakespookie
Care to post any pics of the work/results?
Re: Windscreen/Fwd Canopy Installation
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 5:23 am
by Skippydiesel
lakespookie wrote:Care to post any pics of the work/results?
Have tried to post photos a few times befor - no luck - dont know what I am doing wrong.
Re: Windscreen/Fwd Canopy Installation
Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2022 8:48 am
by pfhoeycfi
I would like to put some p seal at the fwd and aft edges of the canopy, I’m thinking 3/16 inch p seal might do it. Can anybody recommend a brand or source for p seal that has good adhesive.
peter
Re: Windscreen/Fwd Canopy Installation
Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2022 10:03 am
by GraemeSmith
I perused the aviation seal aisle at Home Depot and picked out a couple I thought might work. Needed to be very thin to avoid raising the front edge of the canopy. And BARELY compressing so as to not put an upward force on the edge of the plexi which over time will crack it over the fasteners to the frame. It does keep quite heavy rain out.
Didn’t try and tackle the rear edge. That was going to need a flange to support the seal and that was going to be too big a deal. In practice - in rain - it barely leaks there. It’s the front edge that matters.