Oberst

I just finished my Neptune, and I have a very slight gap on one small part in the front leading edge of the wing on the right side where it meets with the Fuse. I was wondering what you guys do to seal up the gap? I tried the GP 1/16" seating tape, but the wing has a tight tolerance on the fuse, and I can't bolt down my wing with the seat tape on it.

I went to a Float Fly event last Spring and one guy had a putty that he pressed in his gaps, and when he was done flying he just peeled it of with his fingers. Do any of you use a putty? and where can I get it? I should have asked him.



Pete

scale only 4 me

My Feedback: (158)

Many guys make a silicon gasket,, the process is simple.

Tape wax paper tight/flat to the wing where it meets the saddle area
Apply silicon to the wing saddle area
Bolt wing on and let sit overnight
Next day remove wing and wax paper
Trim extra silicon with a xacto knife and you're done

easy sqeezey

Good luck

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

I'll second what Scale Only said

goirish

That's the way I do it. I use the backing off of my monokote and nothing sticks to it.

Oberst

I'm trying to avoid making a silicon gasket, It can tend to get a little messy and I don't think it looks all that good. No there's a light putty out there that looks like clay. I saw this guy use it on his seaplanes to keep them water tight. When he was done flying later that day he just wiped it off and put it back in the can. Anyone know what I'm talking about?


Pete

scale only 4 me

My Feedback: (158)

Silly Putty?

Oberst

No, I'm thinking it was a form of Plumbers Putty. Anyone used it before?


Pete

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Plumber's Putty would work, but it will look just as bad as silicon and you'd have to apply it every time.

goirish

Why do you want to keep taking it off? I have three planes all with the silicon and I can't see it when it is 100' in the air.

Bob93447

I use electrical tape. It comes in many colors, seals well, and peels off.

Oberst

Thanks people.


I was curious what everyone used. I like the plumbers putty method because I only have 2 little gaps and I can stuff it in the gap and can wipe off the access. Then when I'm done flying I can roll it up in a ball and throw it back in the can for re-use.


Pete

Lamoilleriver

After you trim off the "squeeze out", whatever is left is barely noticable. Use this trick all the time.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

And just for the record, no matter what you do you will still get a little water inside.

Oberst

Yes, I know. My other Neptune was usually a little damp inside. But a few minutes eposed to the sun usually dries it out.


I thank you all for your help. I usually fly land planes, but once I started seaplane flying I got addicted, and a little wet.



Pete

scale only 4 me

My Feedback: (158)

2 words,,, Low Wing

Hughes500E

My Feedback: (16)

I have a tub of vaseline, I just use my finger and apply a small amount right down the saddle. Easy to clean off etc......

Oberst

I did too for a while, but I had a few people just tell me that Vaseline eventually eats at the plastic covering. I don't know if it's true, but that's what I was told. Plumbers putty isn't for plastic and will bleed through if left on, but it won't hurt the plastic covering as long as we don't leave it on. I guess it would be the same for Vaseline, if we don't leave it on it shouldn't do any damage.



Pete

baronbrian

My Feedback: (13)

Just remember, the definition of waterproof is that once water gets in, it can't leave!

Oberst

LOL! Good one! But so true.



Pete