Windshield top trim piece

[TimHicks]

The picture below shows the underside of the aluminum trim piece that holds down that top trailing edge of the windshield.

There is a piece of felt about 1/4" thick that runs the length of it that touches the windscreen.
Then there was gobs and gobs of RTV silicone everywhere behind the felt.
I peeled most of the RTV off before I had teh presence of mind to take this picture.
Is this what everybody else has?
Tim

[Robert Lees]

Re: Windshield top trim piece

I do (and I made new).

My screen is sealed to the fuselage; I treat the trim piece as just a cover that hides the joint.

Don't use felt; it's wool-based and will hold moisture.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Windshield top trim piece

Both of my planes had the wood with the fabric over it, followed by the transparency and last the metal strip held with screws (no screws through the transparency). Neither has any evidence of felt or Silicone caulk. The metal on both DID have a piece of rubber sheet bonded to the bottom that held tight against the plastic and made a nice seal. Didn't fly enough in rain (wood prop) to see if it sealed out water in flight. Never leaked in rain on the ground.

Hank

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Windshield top trim piece

No wool felt and no RTV, but a strip of rubber or neoprene for sure.
There are various sources for sheets of rubber/neoprene such as a truck inner tube or the liner for a water garden… I hoard the stuff when I can find it.

[woodmw]

Re: Windshield top trim piece

Some 30 years ago, I bought a roll of foam tape that was used when installing a camper shell on a pickup. It is 1" wide, closed cell foam, 1/4" thick, adhesive on both sides. I have used it on numerous occasions to seal and/or cushion assemblies. It has seemed to seal well. Any thoughts on such material?