Canopy Glue
08-05-2003, 11:54 AM
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Canopy Glue
Well, my bottle of RC-56 finally ran out. I remember hearing somewhere that this stuff is no longer produced.
So what is a good substitute? Got to dry clear, ya know...
Steve
So what is a good substitute? Got to dry clear, ya know...
Steve
08-05-2003, 03:16 PM
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Canopy Glue
Steve:
Yes, RC-56 is no more. But. Pacer has their "Formula 560" which, as near as I can tell, is the same stuff with a slightly different name.
Dennis:
Screws? No, thank you. The canopy tends to crack around them, at least for me. Exception is a Lexan canopy, they hold up very well. But how do you know it's Lexan?
And a big definite NO! on electrical tape. Get fuel anywhere near it and it's an immediate mess.
Just my experiences.
Bill.
Yes, RC-56 is no more. But. Pacer has their "Formula 560" which, as near as I can tell, is the same stuff with a slightly different name.
Dennis:
Screws? No, thank you. The canopy tends to crack around them, at least for me. Exception is a Lexan canopy, they hold up very well. But how do you know it's Lexan?
And a big definite NO! on electrical tape. Get fuel anywhere near it and it's an immediate mess.
Just my experiences.
Bill.
08-05-2003, 09:07 PM
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Canopy Glue
I have had problems with cracking around canopy screws as well. Any of the canopy glues with "56" or "560" in them seem to be the same formula. Last time I checked there was about three brands out there. Check Tower Hobbies. If you can cut away a small stripe of covering, the glue adheres to the wood better than the covering. I just finished a Decathlon and used RC 56 to glue the windows against the covering after punching a bunch of pin holes where it attaches.
08-05-2003, 09:27 PM
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Canopy Glue
I've had trouble with cracking around canopy screws, as well. The fix is to cut small rounds of fuel tubing and fit them over the screws - just like washers. Works well and they don't vibrate loose either.
08-05-2003, 10:23 PM
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Canopy Glue
I've used Formula 560 and agree it works well. But I find using it a nerve-wracking process because the stuff is thin and wants to run everywhere (at least it dries clear!) Does anyone have any tips on how to get good coverage without making a mess?
08-05-2003, 10:37 PM
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I use the 560 but I put it in a small glue gun syringe which will let me apply a very small bead. I agree, it is thin, and wants to run all over, and the water clean-up isn't as easy as they make it out to be. I have a squirt bottle and paper towels handy every time I do one.
I also agree with cutting a small strip of film away (if the plane is covered with film) so you can glue to the bare wood. And I don't like screws.....never have seen a full scale plane with the canopy screwed on (grin).....
A good tip: once in place, use Ace bandage....the type that stretches and sticks to itself, to wrap around the canopy and fuselage to hold the canopy down tight while the glue dries. I don't like to use tape, it can pull the covering loose.
Clair Sieverling
I also agree with cutting a small strip of film away (if the plane is covered with film) so you can glue to the bare wood. And I don't like screws.....never have seen a full scale plane with the canopy screwed on (grin).....
A good tip: once in place, use Ace bandage....the type that stretches and sticks to itself, to wrap around the canopy and fuselage to hold the canopy down tight while the glue dries. I don't like to use tape, it can pull the covering loose.
Clair Sieverling
08-06-2003, 01:32 AM
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Canopy Glue
I've had trouble with cracking around canopy screws, as well. The fix is to cut small rounds of fuel tubing and fit them over the screws - just like washers
I also direct my exhaust down and don't have trouble with the tape. One plane has thirty or so flights on it and the tape still seems fine.
Dennis-
08-06-2003, 10:20 AM
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Attaching canopy
After I apply the glue to the canopy, I use lengths of fuel tubing to hold it down to the fuse while drying. The tubing doesn't loosen up.
08-06-2003, 02:04 PM
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Canopy Glue
Has anybody tried clear silicone adhesive (the Home Depot bathroom caulk kind) as canopy glue? It works great for sealing fuel tanks and/or fuel tubing on firewalls, but I wonder if the acetic acid in it will eat or fog canopies.
08-06-2003, 03:18 PM
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Volfy:
It's hard to apply a small bead using RTV, other than that I see no reason it wouldn't work fine so long as there is a vent for the fumes to exit.
Bill.
It's hard to apply a small bead using RTV, other than that I see no reason it wouldn't work fine so long as there is a vent for the fumes to exit.
Bill.
08-06-2003, 06:04 PM
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Canopy Glue
Volfy, that stuff is pretty obnoxious and agressive; as in hard to remove once applied. You'd have to use acetone or MEK, which dulls plastic film big-time; not to mention eating butyrate plastic, which most canopies are drawn from, most paints, etc.
I would say it is a disaster waiting to occur...
Steve
I would say it is a disaster waiting to occur...
Steve
