Canopy repair products

What is the difference between :

ACRIFIX 192

IPS WELDON #16

and

SC125 ACRYLIC ADHESIVE

ANY EXPERIENCES WITH THESE OR SOMETHING BETTER?

TNX

MICHAEL

Michael,

Acrifix 192 is pretty much the standard for canopy repair. Cracks can
be V'd out with a small Dremel grinding or engraving bit and Acrifix
then carefully poured in place from the tube - multiple pour/cure
cycles - until the cured Acrifix is above the canopy surface and then
sanded and polished to the surrounding original surface. It cures by UV
and a fluorescent bulb allows a fairly quick cure of several hours.
There is a learning curve for best results. I have not been able to
make repairs invisible, but the result is stable and far better than a
crack. It saves about $4K when considering the alternative. It also
seems that newer canopies yeild better visual results due to the
reaction with the Acrifix.

Acrifix 192
Dremel with small bits
Micro Mesh surfacing system
Three stage liquid plexi polishing system

Mike


wrote:
What is the difference between :

ACRIFIX 192

IPS WELDON #16

and

SC125 ACRYLIC ADHESIVE

ANY EXPERIENCES WITH THESE OR SOMETHING BETTER?

TNX

MICHAEL

I second everything Mike said below and would like to add this:

1.) Store the tube of Acrifix 192 with the nozzle up for a day or two
before the repair. That way, all the small air-bubbles will rise to the
top avoiding getting them trapped in the joint.

2.) Before V-ing out the crack, apply a strip of clear tape over the
crack from both sides. Then work through the tape along the crack.
Should you slip with your Dremel tool, you do not scratch the canopy.

3.) Remove the tape, clean off with denatured alcohol and apply the
glue. Allow to cure.

4.) Repeat the same on the opposite side carving into the freshly laid
joint. That way, all remaining fracture surfaces are eliminated.
Fracture surfaces make excellent mirrors that can be annoying.

Good luck

Uli Neumann





Mike wrote:
Michael,

Acrifix 192 is pretty much the standard for canopy repair. Cracks can
be V'd out with a small Dremel grinding or engraving bit and Acrifix
then carefully poured in place from the tube - multiple pour/cure
cycles - until the cured Acrifix is above the canopy surface and then
sanded and polished to the surrounding original surface. It cures by UV
and a fluorescent bulb allows a fairly quick cure of several hours.
There is a learning curve for best results. I have not been able to
make repairs invisible, but the result is stable and far better than a
crack. It saves about $4K when considering the alternative. It also
seems that newer canopies yeild better visual results due to the
reaction with the Acrifix.

Acrifix 192
Dremel with small bits
Micro Mesh surfacing system
Three stage liquid plexi polishing system

Mike


wrote:
What is the difference between :

ACRIFIX 192

IPS WELDON #16

and

SC125 ACRYLIC ADHESIVE

ANY EXPERIENCES WITH THESE OR SOMETHING BETTER?

TNX

MICHAEL

We have a fresh supply of Acrifix 192 arriving in about two weeks.

Tom Knauff
Knauff & Grove Soaring Supplies
www.eglider.org


GM wrote:
I second everything Mike said below and would like to add this:

1.) Store the tube of Acrifix 192 with the nozzle up for a day or two
before the repair. That way, all the small air-bubbles will rise to the
top avoiding getting them trapped in the joint.

2.) Before V-ing out the crack, apply a strip of clear tape over the
crack from both sides. Then work through the tape along the crack.
Should you slip with your Dremel tool, you do not scratch the canopy.

3.) Remove the tape, clean off with denatured alcohol and apply the
glue. Allow to cure.

4.) Repeat the same on the opposite side carving into the freshly laid
joint. That way, all remaining fracture surfaces are eliminated.
Fracture surfaces make excellent mirrors that can be annoying.

Good luck

Uli Neumann





Mike wrote:
Michael,

Acrifix 192 is pretty much the standard for canopy repair. Cracks can
be V'd out with a small Dremel grinding or engraving bit and Acrifix
then carefully poured in place from the tube - multiple pour/cure
cycles - until the cured Acrifix is above the canopy surface and then
sanded and polished to the surrounding original surface. It cures by UV
and a fluorescent bulb allows a fairly quick cure of several hours.
There is a learning curve for best results. I have not been able to
make repairs invisible, but the result is stable and far better than a
crack. It saves about $4K when considering the alternative. It also
seems that newer canopies yeild better visual results due to the
reaction with the Acrifix.

Acrifix 192
Dremel with small bits
Micro Mesh surfacing system
Three stage liquid plexi polishing system

Mike


wrote:
What is the difference between :

ACRIFIX 192

IPS WELDON #16

and

SC125 ACRYLIC ADHESIVE

ANY EXPERIENCES WITH THESE OR SOMETHING BETTER?

TNX

MICHAEL