TELEDYNMCS(at)aol.com
Guest
|
 Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 5:48 am Post subject: Cleaning windshields |
 |
|
In a message dated 4/21/2009 3:02:26 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, europa-list(at)matronics.com writes:
We replace and repair canopies fairly regularly in our shop. In fact, I'm doing a rear canopy replacement on an ASW-21 glider this week. We keep a stack of Egyptian cotton hand towels in the shop for the sole purpose of cleaning canopies. We use only water for cleaning unless there is something on it that water won't remove. I wipe my Europa windshield and my glider canopy off after every flight because fresh bugs are easier to remove than ones that have been baked on after sitting in a hot hangar between flights. Ditto the leading edges of the wings and tail surfaces. Soak one towel with water and wipe the plexi off thoroughly, then use a dry towel to remove any water that is left. The key with cleaning plexiglass is to always use linear motion, up and down, when wiping them off. Do not wipe in circles! If you do this you will create swirls and the next time you fly into the sun you will wish you hadn't wiped it in circles. If you do get minor scratches, though, they can be removed fairly easily.
Most, if not all small scratches can be easily removed from plexiglass with buffing. It's basically just like paint. Generally, anything you can't feel with your fingernail will buff out. We use a buffing rouge that is specifically meant for plexiglass. I made a buffer specifically for buffing canopies and plexiglass from a 4" Makita grinder which uses 6" flannel pads. Flannel is the key here. A router speed control is necessary to slow the buffer down a bit, but it works very well. You use this buffer end on, just like you would buff paint, but not on the side like an orbiting or circular buffer. Keep the buffer moving in short, side to side movements and buff at 90 degrees to the scratches. Most deeper scratches can be removed by carefully sanding with 1500, then 2000 grit paper on a small block, then buff. I can usually bring a canopy back to near new condition with a quick buffing. We get our buffs and buffing compound from these folks: http://www.sattexcorp.com/Index.asp
Hope it helps!
Regards,
John Lawton
Whitwell, TN (TN89)
N245E - Flying
Access 350+ FREE radio stations anytime from anywhere on the web. Get the Radio Toolbar!
[quote][b]
| | - The Matronics Europa-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List |
|
|
|
Get Email Distribution Too!
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
