Windshield and Fabric

M

MauleOwner

New member
Hey Guys, I'm new to your forum. Great forum by the way! I've scanned the subject lines but didn't see an answer to my specific question. I have a friend with a 14-19-2. The tape on his windshield is separating. I am familiar with several of the covering systems, this one is covered with the Randolph/ceconite process however, I am unfamiliar with the specifics on fabric to windshield attachment. Do you know of any published documentation on the subject or any of you have any fabric installation tips that would help correct the problem?
 
I would carefully re-glue the tape using the cement they call for, using that process. "Superseam" or whatever it is called. Be very careful not to get any cement on the windshield were you don't want it. Use toothpicks or Q-tips to work the cement under the tape.
I used to fly my Dad's M4-220C....a very nice airplane.
Dan
 
The later Cruismasters (14-19-3) had an aluminum trim piece that covered the joint between the windshield and the cabin. The separation of the fabric must have been enough of a problem that Bellanca did a fix. I dont know if Vikings have the trim piece or not. You might call some of the salvage yards to find out if they have one. A glue repair and the trim would be a good belts and braces type of fix.____Grant.
 
You might want to lay a strip of gas pipe tape (heavy rubber like tape available from Home Despot) to protect the windshield. I used this when fiber glassing in the canopy for an RV6. Worked slick.
Larry
 
I've just done some work in this area.
My tapes had not come loose yet, but the dope was cracked at a few places around the windshield.
I used Randolph rejuvinator, and it worked great. It melted the 19 year old dope right back down. The original color stayed fairly true too.
So I would advise that you do as Dan and Larry said. Protect the windshield with some covering tape in case you spill or drool outside the work area.
Use Randolph products. Glue the tape back down. Rejuvinate the existing dope, using a small paint brush. (the instructions call for spray, but that would be for a large area, like prior to repainting a wing.) Keep at it every 5 or 10 minutes until the original dope on or around the outside of the tape melts and the cracks go away.
You can follow up with brushed on coats of silver dope, and top coats of pigmented dope in small areas. My son Peter has had very good success with spot repairs on a 1966 Cruisemaster, even though it has enamel over dope.
The aircraft owner is permited to do these repairs, they fall under 'minor repairs to dope and fabric'.
Go for it!!
 
Thanks guys for you're replies. Unfortunately his tape separated in flight and was too badly damaged to salvage, so about one third of it had to be removed for continue flight. My main concern was the superseam being to hot to use on the windshield but apparently this is a common practice. This is straight edged tape (for aesthetics) which doesn't have the hold down strength of pinked edged tape. Blending the repair is also a major concern. This is a show quality aircraft. Once I have access to the plane again (owners out of state), I will document the repairs and share the experience with you.
 
Thanks Dan, I also wanted to tell you that I am enjoying my M5-210C. It is a very challenging aircraft on the ground, let least for me, coming from 15 years in at BC-12D. However, I love the extra horse power and the jump off the ground.
 
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