Interior Panel Templates

[Mike A]

I purchased a new front pilot side interior panel from Plane Plastics to replace the original that had totally fallen apart.  Unfortunately, as we all know, they do not come predrilled or trimmed, but the trimming on this is actually pretty minimal.

 

What is the best way to create a template for all the various holes that need to be cut in the panel?  Oxygen pressure and port in the armrest are easy enough, but for things like the window screws and oxygen on/off handle, they are a little more challenging.  What have people found that works the best?  The original panel deteriorated enough to where only the bottom portion survived the removal intact.

[FBCK]

Mike, I have a 231 as well and would be interested in how you make out on this project.  I talked to Plane Plastics a couple of years ago and they seem to indicate they did have the product for my 231.  Called back a couple of days later and they said sure we have it.  I left it alone anyway, but would love to see some pictures if you could.

[Dale Logsdon]

I have taken a gps suction cup mount and attached a laser pointer to it. Attach it to the oppisite side of your a/c and point it at the center of what you need to cut out. Set your new plastic in place and the laser points to the hole you need to cut.

[Hank]

Put lipstick around the holes, hold the panel in place and press. Hole locations will be visible on the back as a gap in the color. Drill holes, then clean the panel and the supporting structure.

[PTK]

You can triangulate by measuring from three stationary points to the cutout you need to make with old piece in place. Then finish trimming and position the new panel in place. Use your triangulation measurements to locate where the cutout needs to be.

I like the high tech laser pointer idea too!

[Alan Fox]

Don't listen to Pete , triangulation is how you find a plane in the ocean....not how you match up holes....Lipsick , paint , lasers all sound like good ideas.....

[PTK]

Don't listen to Pete , triangulation is how you find a plane in the ocean....not how you match up holes....Lipsick , paint , lasers all sound like good ideas.....

Your lipstick may work Alan. Just the right shade! What shade was that again?

[mike_elliott]

I purchased a new front pilot side interior panel from Plane Plastics to replace the original that had totally fallen apart.  Unfortunately, as we all know, they do not come predrilled or trimmed, but the trimming on this is actually pretty minimal.

 

What is the best way to create a template for all the various holes that need to be cut in the panel?  Oxygen pressure and port in the armrest are easy enough, but for things like the window screws and oxygen on/off handle, they are a little more challenging.  What have people found that works the best?  The original panel deteriorated enough to where only the bottom portion survived the removal intact.

Get a large piece of clear plastic, some sharpies and some construction paper. It is easy to locate holes properly thru the clear plastic

See how we did it when we fitted Bruce Jaeger's new spatial interior to my F model on pic #39 trimming to fit. Then simply xfer to the new piece, using proper tools to cut round holes, etc.

https://www.dropbox.com/home/Public/Spatial%20Interior%20Pics