Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers
Fiberglass cowl repair help
I have an old fiberglass cowl on my 601XLB. It's actually off of the very first 601XL. This weekend a wind gust caught the top section and literally ripped the fiberglass where two screws were holding it on.
My cowl is attached with #8-32 AN screws. Stainless tinnerman washers are bonded into
the cowl fiberglass. The cowl is screwed into nutplates in the forward glareshield.
The wind gust ripped two of the tinnermens right out of the fiberglass.
I need to patch and replace these tinnermens but have zero idea how to go about it.
I have never worked with fiberglass and have no idea how to begin. Nor do I know how to do any reinforcing.
I've searched Youtube but have had little luck.
If anyone has any ideas, suggestions or references to help me start to figure this out I would appreciate it.
P. Richards
If you have a local flying club within a reasonable distance, I would see if any of the members / Homebuilders can help you out as most of them have someone with fiberglass or composite experience.
Another option is a collision shop. Often there is a guy that specializes in fiberglass repairs.
Any boat repair, marina will do fiberglass work, but I can't vouch for how reasonable they will be.
Who knows,they might even do it on the side for you for cash or trade?
Sorry I'm not closer, I'd do it for you.
Jun 19
Shaun D
As a new builder I found fiberglass super easy to work with.
Buy the West Systems resin from Amazon or Spruce including the pumps which meter the amount
Spruce sells the cloth, it's very cheap
Clean/rough up the surface you want to fix
Cut the cloth to the size of patch you want
Paint it with some resin to make it sticky
Slap it on the area
Keep adding more to get the strength/thickness you want
In between layers you can add those washers, can cut the hole out when its done obviously
After its dry you can sand it smooth
It's very strong, I've made all sorts of unusual shapes
EAA and kitplane enthusiast have videos about this too
Jun 20