I hate to even add to this endless thread on wing gap solutions, but
what I did on N56ML was lay down a layer of duct tape about 6" wide that
covered the gap plus a couple of inches on each side. Duct tape
stretches a bit and doesn't have the issue of having to bend like
aluminum does, and it acts as a mold release to epoxy....it pops right
off....if the outside surface is the usual slick plastic stuff. Then I
laid about three layers of three inch fiberglass "tape" (that I got from
Aircraft Spruce, on a roll) on some plastic sheeting (I've still got a
roll of "builder's plastic" from building the rest of the plane eons
ago). Then I just unrolled the wet-out glass tape onto the wing. The
plastic backing maintains the width and prevents crazy needless
stretching of the wet fiberglass tape, and if left in place, even gives
the surface a glossy (but heavier) surface. I peeled the plastic off
after it was all laid up (including the bottom.....all one piece) and
applied peel-ply over the wet surface, for a smooth but pit-free
surface. After curing I screwed two short number two wood screws into
the trailing edge, both top and bottom. They fit perfectly, never had
any issue with them coming loose, and can be removed in under a minute
each, and fit perfectly back where they belong on reinstallation....like
they have homing radar on them!
Later, during my "900 hour" redo of some things, I added a different
kind of "internal gap seal" that was permanent, with the downside being
you have to be more careful when standing the wing up against the wall
on the WAFs, but cleaner looking. I also "captured" the wing attach
fittings and gained access through a small hole in the leading edge just
big enough for a hex wrench on an extension to gain access. This was
wretched overkill, and probably not something most people would want to
do (if you have a life and little time to live it, like me).
One thing I'll advise, is don't silicone them in place, especially if
you have micro on the wings, as the silicone sticks so well it'll pull
the micro right off the wing. N891JF had that problem when I had to
remove the wings after an engine out incident. At least they fit right
back in place and were easily screwed down again, but just a cautionary
tale about using lots of micro and applying adhesive to it....not
thinking the wings will ever come off again.....that day will come!
See http://www.n56ml.com/900hour/ for some details on some of this.
Might be a good time to remind folks to trim all the useless stuff like
the previous 10 emails from the bottom of your replies, as it makes the
archive almost useless!
Mark Langford
m...@n56ml.com
http://www.n56ml.com
Huntsville, AL
________________________________
-Please see LIST RULES and KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html
-Change list delivery options at
https://list.krnet.org/list/krnet.list.krnet.org/ Affinity List Info Board
-Search recent KRnet Archives at
https://list.krnet.org/empathy/list/krnet.list.krnet.org/
-Search John Bouyea's decades of archive at https://www.mail-archive.com/krnet@list.krnet.org/
