SIG Extra 300 Canopy Problem
 

New builder needs help. I want to paint canopy black(no pilot) but worry about heat buildup that could destroy canopy. Can you buy tinted canopy for the 300? If so, where? Is there a paint or tint product I could use for this purpose. Any ideas? Thanks

SIG Extra 300 Canopy Problem
 

I didn't do it with this plane, but I did tint the canopy of my Something Extra by soaking it in Rit Dye. I mixed a package of Black and blue with hot water (not boiling) but pretty hot. I let the canopy soak for about 10 minutes and then pulled it out. It was not completely black, but tinted pretty dark. I did not have a problem with heat build up.

SIG Extra 300 Canopy
 

I just finished assembly of my Sig Extra. I also own a Sig Cap 231EX, and have allot of trouble with the canopy base cracking. I decided to trim the canopy to fit the Extra, and install it directly to the fuselage without the canopy base.

After trimming the canopy for best fit, I taped off an 1/8" border on the inside edge so the adhesive would attach to the canopy not the paint. The interior was painted with Pactra Racing Finish-RC250 Outlaw Black (Lexan/Poly-carbonate R/C Car Paint). I attached the canopy directly to the covering with Pacer 560 Canopy Glue, after carefully scuffing the covering on the fuselage bond area with sandpaper. After bond, I applied 1/4" trim tape on the outside edge.

I have several airplanes with tinted/painted canopies, and I keep a white towel handy to drape over the canopy in the hot Texas sun. I have had no problems with distortion/heat on those planes, but my Extra hasn't seen the heat yet. Only time will tell how it holds up!

Hope this info helps.

Rex Rutledge

SIG Extra 300 Canopy Problem
 

Beautiful job, Rex!

-s

BBQ
 

Chick,
Believe it or not I sprayed mine from the inner side with flat black bbq grill paint ( had some laying around) it looks great and just think, It will withstand 1200F :D

It does look good though!

Tom

SIG Extra 300 Canopy Problem
 

I don't have an SE, but have sprayed/painted the insides of several canopys. They sit in the hot summer sun 100+ here and I have never had a problem with them. I have also used the black and blue rit dye to tint canopys and it works really great.

SIG Extra 300 Canopy Problem
 

You have provided me with some great solutions to my problem.Thanks very much for your professional help.