Padded edging for top skin over instrument panel?

I "think" I'm going to use some of my aircraft carpet as a cover for the top skin above the instrument panel on my 750. The "carpet" is not actually fibers - it looks like an extremely short nap carpet but is either plastic or plasticized carpet, so it actually is non-porus. It has a dense foam backing and is about 3/16" thick. It's burn-certified and the dense foam is a great sound absorber. Also, since it's black, it should reduce glare and windshield reflections.

The top skin protrudes aft over the instrument panel, creating a nice, sharp edge that would do some severe damage to your face or head in an accident! I have some heavy vinyl edging with metal clips imbedded in it that would at least blunt the top skin edge and grip the carpet well, but I wondered if anyone had a source for something similar that is either padded or has a nice soft foam or other material to even further soften the edge?

John

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Permalink Reply by Ian McClelland on March 21, 2012 at 10:19pm

Hi. There are various edging profiles avalable even rubber profiles.

I think you will find fabric lining will still reflect onto the canopy. Most seem to be painting with a matt black or matt black textured paint which works well.

Permalink Reply by John Austin on March 22, 2012 at 6:37am

As I said, the "carpet" I'm thinking of using isn't actually a woven carpet - it's some sort of vinyl or plasticized material and it has a textured surface that simulates a carpet texture. The color is a sort of matt black/very dark gray - it doesn't have a shiny or reflective surface. Just to be sure, I'll take a piece and lay it on the glareshield of my 206 and see if it reflects or not.

 

I, in fact, already have some rubber edging, but what I'm wanting to know has anyone found something with a thicker, padded appearance (for safety and aesthetics!)? Ready-made would be nice, but I think I read somewhere about slitting a piece of tubing lengthwise, covering it with vinyl, leather, or whatever, and pop this over the rubber edging to create something more "substantial" looking (and safer!).

Permalink Reply by Harry P. Land Jr. on March 22, 2012 at 12:10pm

For your edge trim try McMASTER-CARR in the search block type rubber edge trim. used profile 1 in 1in size in my 601xlb forms good and grips the edge has not slipped in two years.

Permalink Reply by Tim Smart on March 22, 2012 at 2:58pm
John, I don't know where or how now but I think I read where or someone split some aluminum tubing and installed on this edge. Somewhere there is another discussion about this topic, maybe I saw it there with some other comments and fixes.
Permalink Reply by Tim Smart on March 22, 2012 at 4:00pm
John, sorry I tried to find the post I saw but cannot. It may have been a mention with a picture or maybe on some other website. Good luck with your solution.
Permalink Reply by Terry Hagel on March 26, 2012 at 3:05am

Here is what I've decided to try out on the edge for the 701 I'm building.  It is 1/2 pipe insulation held on by black wire ties.  I think it will provide plenty of padding and keep items from rolling back into the cabin.

 

Terry

 

Permalink Reply by Chumphol Sirinavin on March 27, 2012 at 10:12am

Terry,

The pipe insulation surely looks cool there. Holding it in place with plastic ties is easy enough. It seems better than glueing it there with rubber cement as I once thought.

Champ

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