Brief Description: Add Inside Layer of Fiberglass on Targa Strip
I'm convinced I have a solid bond between the fiberglass and plexiglass. I tried forcing up the corners with a great deal of pressure and the fiberglass didn't budge or pull away from the plexiglass.Before Matt took off for home we discussed various fixes. What I ended up doing after he left was sanding the inside of the targa strip and the inside portion of the plexiglass canopy in order to add another layer of fiberglass on the inside to sandwich the plexiglass between the 4 layers of fiberglass on top and a new one layer strip on the bottom. I would also try to force some resin into the void on the right side to bond this area.This plan really worked out perfectly and gives me a great deal more confidence that this targa strip won't come off someday in flight. I covered the back window and roll bar again but this time with Saran Wrap. Then after I sanded the inside of the plexiglass and targa strip fiberglass I vacuumed everything and mixed up a batch of resin. I knew I wouldn't be able to use a popsicle stick to force the resin into the void because of the tightness of the cured fiberglass next to the plexiglass and thought I may need something like an injection needle. Fortunately though, a paintbrush worked out perfectly. I was able to force the bristles of the brush into that gap while pulling the fiberglass back maybe 1/64". It was enough that the resin was actually pulled into the void and changed the color of that entire area to match the darker color of the bonded area. Woohoo!!Anyway, once I had this void filled and had painted a light coating of resin on the inside of the targa strip, I added a single layer of fiberglass along the inside of the targa strip and plexiglass. I used the paintbrush to work out the air bubbles, particularly along the edge or zig of the plexiglass. Once I was satisfied that all of the air bubbles were out I very carefully closed the canopy from the left side while pushing to the right to prevent the new layer of fiberglass from bunching up.
Close up of right side unbonded area
Right side with resin forced in gap, fiberglass layer on inside, and securely clamped
Left side with fiberglass layer on inside and securely clamped
