Gluing the Canopy
 

Putting the finishing touches on a 4 * 60. I'm ready to glue the canopy. The instructions say to cut about 1/16 in of covering off, lay down some accelerant, and use medium CA. The accelerant is supposed to keep the glue from fogging the canopy. I was also looking at using a canopy glue which is supposed to remain somewhat flexible.

My questions are, Can I use the canopy glue directly on the ultracote? Should I use CA? Should I follow book exactly?

I'm not crazy about cutting the covering because, even though I will use 1/4 black trim tape on the outside, I think you will be able to see the wood from looking through the canopy.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Gluing the Canopy
 

Use the canopy glue directly on the ultracote. It should "stick" really well. Some of the glue is very thin so don't over use it and be careful to avoid runs. I wouldn't go near CA for the canopy.

Gluing the Canopy
 

4*60 is right....CA is most likely going to fog it up. Another option (which I usually prefer) is to use small screws to install the canopy.

Gluing the Canopy
 

A lesson learned from experience, even the FUMES from CA can mark up a canopy !

Gluing the Canopy
 

I use RC-56 right on the covering. Don't cut it. It works well and doesn't fog the canopy, dries clear and works well. Don't get the thicker stuff if they still make the thin, they changed to a thicker formula which sux pretty bad, but I have used it and it works, just not as well as the old stuff. Best I have found for canopies.

Canopy attachment
 

I just finished a 4*60 and also shy-ed away from the suggested accelerator and CA usage.

Went with Fourmost Products Canopy Combing (see link below) and used a fresh bottle of RC-56 to adhere the combed canopy directly to the Ultracote.

I think next time I would use the combing, but use a clear silicone sealer instead of the RC56. The 56 just doesn't fill gaps well.

Anyway, I am satisfied with the way it turned out and it looks great with the black combing around the canopy.

http://www.geocities.com/fourmost1/cntrm_lg.htm

Gluing the Canopy
 

I clean the covering with alcohol then glue on to the covering with RC-56 if gluing.Some times I want to test fly the plane then finish the canopy and interior later,then like glowplug I'll use servo screws or similiar screws.

Gluing the Canopy
 

Hoppy,

An alternative method to glue and screwing is to use the ultracote to attached the canopy. I do this all the time with MonoKote. Clean the canopy with alcohol, cut the Ultracote into strips about 1/2 wide. Position the canopy in place and iron the covering to the fuse and the canopy. I have done this on about 20 different models, it works great with Monokote, I can't imagine that Ultracote would be any different.

Regards,

Andy

Thanks All
 

Great ideas. Now which one to try ???? :)


Thanks.

Canopy glue
 

Hi,

FWIW I use Shoo-Goo. Sticks like crazy to anything. Just be careful applying, it's hard to clean up. BTW I've lost some canopies using RC-56..... :mad:

Later

Willem

Gluing the Canopy
 

Build enough planes, you can try them all.

Gluing the Canopy
 

I also found that a thin bead of Shoe Goo is great.