Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers
Online Community of Zenith Builders and Flyers
Caulk?
I realize (at least with the 750) that you're trying to fly a slab-sided box, covered in warts (rivets), with slats, struts, gear, and the kitchen sink all hanging out in the air-stream - OK, maybe the kitchen sink is a bit much! HAHA! - so I know we're kidding ourselves to try too hard to clean up the airframe. BUT, there are a couple of areas that appear to be begging for a bit of caulk or similar prior to paint.
Specifically, where the skin meets the wingtip around the bottom of the leading edge, the skin is straight but the fiberglass is still curving outward, leaving a small gap. Secondly, the lower edge of the slats are bent at a rather acute angle, but the fiberglass tips have a rounded curve ... sort of like putting a round peg in a square hole! Truthfully, I'm not as concerned about smoothing for aerodynamics as I am eliminatng deep recesses that would be difficult/impossible to clean and harbor grime that leads to corrosion.
Of course, reworking the fiberglass would be the ultimate solution, but I'm not going there. I "assume" Bondo filler would be problematic over gelcoat. Would caulking these areas work? Maybe something modern like 3M urethane? I wouldn't want to put something in there that shrinks or falls out, especially if it is painted! Or, do most say "to heck with it" and just let the gaps go and call it "character"? LOL!
John
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Chris Aysen on
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John - We all try to fit these parts together as called for on assembly. Sometimes it does not work out that way and you have the "gap" problem like you mentioned. It seems only natural to "plug-up" those gaps. However, you have to keep in mind that you may be keeping some things out but also keeping something in, water; which leads to corrosion. We need to allow water out of the airframe as much as possible especially where parts meet together. I not saying it's not a good thing to seal but we have to be careful where we seal. I believe if you can live with the gap leave it. Try not to seal if possible. My two cents.
Chris
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Permalink Reply by John Austin on
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Chris - good points to remember! It certainly would be a bad deal to seal up dependent portions of the aircraft! However, I can't see much harm in sealing the wingtip - with the dihedral present, looks to me all the drainage is going to be away from the wingtip toward the root. Sealing in the tip would certainly help prevent moisture getting in there in the first place! But, at the wing root - sealing that area water-tight would not be such a good idea!
I'm going to Cortec any areas that I do elect to seal. Looks like 3M has a good sealant called "Dynatron" that might work well - I'm going to talk to my paint man about it. Looks like I'll be ready for paint in a month or two!
Regards,
John
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Even with the dihedral the caulking will retain moisture in that particular spot. Harder fillers may be superior to caulking. Anyway..... Looking forward to some pictures of your completed project!!! have a good one.
Chris
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