Sealing Firewall perimeter ( 4 hrs )
After discussion yesterday with Sterling at Van's Prod Support about daylignt showing at LH & RH lower corners for Firewall (ie air leaks !), decided to seal today. He confirmed Vans uses Pro Seal (ie Tank Sealant). He noted notches around perimeter would need sealing, and now would be good time to do both. So I masked around areas, and used 1 oz Tank Seal. Wow, kinda forgot how sticky and taffy like - hard to apply "neatly" - but got 'er done. Checking (w/ bright light inside & shop darkened) to confirm all sealed, I discovered about 22 locations where their sealant applied between layers of fuselage skin and firewall flange was insufficient (gaps). Masked again, repeated with more Sealant. Finally! it's sealed around entire perimeter. Also deburred ELT Antenna Bracket & Shoulder Harness Lugs. Lugs get special treatment to chamfer upper edges ( assume minimizes "show through" as installed inside curved Aft Fuselage skin).
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| doing again, sealing gaps in layers between outer skin and firewall flanges |
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| inside showing notches sealed from front |
