Canopy Refurbishment/Repair

[pawnshopmike]

Here's a little progress of the repair process...
Original Hysol on the canopy
View attachment 42245

After 800 grit sandpaper to remove the epoxy
View attachment 42243
after 1200 grit
View attachment 42246
After 2000 grit
View attachment 42247
After the coarse plastic polish
View attachment 42248
Final results after final plastic polish
View attachment 42244

It looks better in real life and there are still a few micro-scratches in places that will no doubt be easy to remove...I'm waiting until I have the full canopy complete and I will give it a full polish prior to Painting to remove any fine scratched I may cause during construction...It'll be the nicest canopy I've ever had after all this!

Wow great job bro.

 

[Pistolera]

For the final polish and to keep all your plastic stuff looking great I swear by PlastX...made by Meguiars. Have used it for years on full scale windshields. Also works great on auto headlight covers.

 

[Robbins]

looks like a lot of elbow grease may have been used also

 

[Wacobipe]

looks like a lot of elbow grease may have been used also

That may be something of an understatement...one spot would have been pretty quick and easy as canopy material is soft....but I made such a mess of it I ended up polishing nearly the entire canopy

I just considered it a good way to remind myself to NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!

 

[Pistolera]

Yep...always learn from your mistakes, as well as other's.....we don't have time to make them all!!!!!!

 

[pawnshopmike]

Yep...always learn from your mistakes, as well as other's.....we don't have time to make them all!!!!!!

I'll drink to that.

 

[Dan767]

A link to Micro mesh. I've used their products in full scale, excellent product.
http://micro-surface.com/

 

[dhal22]

A link to Micro mesh. I've used their products in full scale, excellent product.
http://micro-surface.com/

I think their products are industry standard in the military for canopy maintenance.

 

[Truckracer]

Some plastics may not accept a shine from the processes listed above though most will. If your plastic doesn't shine up you can usually coat the whole canopy with a light coat of 2 part automotive urethane clear. The results can be amazing and the clear can be buffed if needed though usually the as sprayed look is very impressive.

As always you need to test for paint compatibility on a tiny spot of canopy. If the spot doesn't turn hazy, you should be good to go with the clear. Sand the whole canopy with 1000 grit or finer wet before clear coating.

 

[Jetpainter]

Some plastics may not accept a shine from the processes listed above though most will. If your plastic doesn't shine up you can usually coat the whole canopy with a light coat of 2 part automotive urethane clear. The results can be amazing and the clear can be buffed if needed though usually the as sprayed look is very impressive.

As always you need to test for paint compatibility on a tiny spot of canopy. If the spot doesn't turn hazy, you should be good to go with the clear. Sand the whole canopy with 1000 grit or finer wet before clear coating.

The clear coat process works great on nasty automotive headlights as well.