|
|
|
|
Building Integrity
|
Date: 4-12-2018
|
Number of Hours: 9.50
|
Manual Reference: Section 2
|
Brief Description: On the slow boat
|
|
By far, one of the most unexpectedly long work days so far. My intention was to clear out the foam and add 2 plies of BID to the underside of the cowling today, and I did, but it took freaking 10 hrs.
I had to start by sanding down the leading edge micro from last night as well as some pin hole fills that I had done. I then contoured the entire cowling leaving it looking like a bloody mess. I then pulled the cowling and spent no less than 2 hours removing the foam, and cutting out all the carbon fiber and glass that didn't need to be there. Some of the work required a dremel tool for edging, but let me tell you, that expanded foam sucked. The peel strength of that stuff is better than a slurried piece of foam and glass. I then cut out the oil door access hole and trimmed it to fit the door. Now she was ready for layups.
Knowing how important it is to let the layups cure in the correct installed position, I knew I would have to protect the engine from any resin drips or contact from the cowling. I taped her off and then headed for my roll of BID. I used scraps of BID for the first layups and then single sheets for the final layup. I then peel plied the heck out of it to help keep the resin flow under control and seal up the edges nicely. Locking the spinner in position, I was able to get her mounted with the correct gaps all around. She will stay in place here for 2-3 days until fully cure. In the meantime, I'll start hacking up the lower cowling. It's so strange how just an exhaust change has enabled much better lines and cleaner airfoils even with the larger engine under the hood. :)
Oh and I need to add that I removed 2 of the upper Nutplates for easier installation. Though it may not have been a good move. I'll have to test it when the cowl is finished and more rigid.
|
|
Contoured again
|
|
Foam out, oil door in
|
|
Prepped for layups
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2001-2024 Matronics. All Rights Reserved.
|
