Avionics Access Panel's Rubber Seals

[C.J.]

I'd like to replace the avionics access panel's rubber seals on my 65 C which are deteriorated. I looked for a part # in the IPC but found none. I have emailed Frank Crawford at Mooney Tech Support and am awaiting a response. In the meantime, I wondered if someone on MS had some input.

2nd question is what's the purpose of the foam rubber squares glued to the inside of the access panels?

 

[0TreeLemur]

That stuff is terrible.  Goops are really bad too.   This is the stuff to use, with a photo showing how to install it.   On a flight from AL to CO, I had an expensive water-entry issue while parked outside after I was diverted on an IFR flight plan due to a line of convection that extended from Amarillo to Chicago.   After I installed this stuff, I never had another problem.   Replace it annually because it loses its flexiblity over time.   It is the best solution.  Leave a gap for the rain channel to do it's thing.  Use an awl to pre-puncture it above the nut plates and the screws just go right in.  Good luck.

 

[C.J.]

15 minutes ago, 0TreeLemur said:

That stuff is terrible.  Goops are really bad too.   This is the stuff to use, with a photo showing how to install it.   On a flight from AL to CO, I had an expensive water-entry issue while parked outside after I was diverted on an IFR flight plan due to a line of convection that extended from Amarillo to Chicago.   After I installed this stuff, I never had another problem.   Replace it annually because it loses its flexiblity over time.   It is the best solution.  Leave a gap for the rain channel to do it's thing.  Use an awl to pre-puncture it above the nut plates and the screws just go right in.  Good luck.

 

@0TreeLemur  Thank You. With new avionics soon to be installed I definitely needed a solution to the 59 year-old weather-seal. 

[MikeOH]

Maybe you are in the middle of maintenance, but the lock washers are not even partially engaged on the current shunt in your photo!

[0TreeLemur]

7 minutes ago, C.J. said:

@0TreeLemur  Thank You. With new avionics soon to be installed I definitely needed a solution to the 59 year-old weather-seal. 

You are welcome.   I was turned on to that product by @Hector who lives in south Florida and flew his C through lots of heavy rain with no problems.   After I installed that stuff, in October of '19 I flew my C sealed with that weatherstripping through the remains of tropical storm Delta across Arkansas.  I had rainwater coming in the shark-fin vent, and pouring out the aft vents.   Rain was coming into the vent faster than the drain tube could take it away.   No instrument damage!   This weatherstripping solves the problem.  

I'd do a real good job of cleaning all that old stuff off using whatever nasty solvent required to get it off.   Prior to installing the weatherstripping in my C, it was sealed with a thin rubber membrane and some silicone.  Yuk. The weatherstripping adhesive sticks well to bare aluminum, and is super easy to change out.

[C.J.]

53 minutes ago, 0TreeLemur said:

You are welcome.   I was turned on to that product by @Hector who lives in south Florida and flew his C through lots of heavy rain with no problems.   After I installed that stuff, in October of '19 I flew my C sealed with that weatherstripping through the remains of tropical storm Delta across Arkansas.  I had rainwater coming in the shark-fin vent, and pouring out the aft vents.   Rain was coming into the vent faster than the drain tube could take it away.   No instrument damage!   This weatherstripping solves the problem.  

I'd do a real good job of cleaning all that old stuff off using whatever nasty solvent required to get it off.   Prior to installing the weatherstripping in my C, it was sealed with a thin rubber membrane and some silicone.  Yuk. The weatherstripping adhesive sticks well to bare aluminum, and is super easy to change out.

I'm not really "planning" on tying down during or flying through any heavy rain, but you know how that goes.

I'm getting really good at cleaning with nasty solvents lately. I decided to install Soundex while I was tearing up the interior anyway. After persuading the '65 version of sound/temperature insulation panels off the skins I decided to clean the glue residue with acetone. Then of course I felt compelled to get an Airtex interior, so I decided to remove the asphalt-like adhesive that held the carpeting down. Looking forward to the day I can ditch the neoprene gloves & the respirator and fly again.

[C.J.]

33 minutes ago, MikeOH said:

Maybe you are in the middle of maintenance, but the lock washers are not even partially engaged on the current shunt in your photo!

Definitely in the middle of maintenance. I'm praying it will all be completed in 8 weeks. The avionics tech actually needs to add one more shunt. Good catch though. I needed to do some unskilled labor myself before he could continue with all his work. Restoring a 59-year-old airplane is not for the faint of heart.

[bcg]

This is what Mooney will tell you to use

3M Strip Calk, 08578, Black Color, Soft Butyl Rubber, Paintable Immediately, 1 ft Strips, 60/Carton https://a.co/d/0WHvtiB

Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk

[vorlon1]

Nice tip. Thanks!

I wonder what is going on with the last item???

About this item

• PERMANENTLY PLIABLE: Material is ready to use for seams, joints and gaps
• SOFT YET TOUGH: Won’t shrink or become brittle, ensuring seals and greatly reducing rework
• FAST, NO-MESS APPLICATION: Thumbs into place and smooths with a finger
• PAINTABLE IMMEDIATELY: Never hardens, shrinks or becomes brittle, eliminating rework
• HIGH TEMPERATURE MATERIAL: Applications including engine compartment seams and firewalls
• For industrial/occupational use only. Not for consumer sale or use.

[bcg]

Nice tip. Thanks!
I wonder what is going on with the last item???

About this item

• PERMANENTLY PLIABLE: Material is ready to use for seams, joints and gaps
• SOFT YET TOUGH: Won’t shrink or become brittle, ensuring seals and greatly reducing rework
• FAST, NO-MESS APPLICATION: Thumbs into place and smooths with a finger
• PAINTABLE IMMEDIATELY: Never hardens, shrinks or becomes brittle, eliminating rework
• HIGH TEMPERATURE MATERIAL: Applications including engine compartment seams and firewalls
• For industrial/occupational use only. Not for consumer sale or use.

Don't believe the part about No Mess, it's super sticky. Keep your fingers wet while working with it and it won't stick to you. I keep a cup of water handy to dip my fingers in when I'm installing it.

Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk

[0TreeLemur]

1 hour ago, bcg said:

This is what Mooney will tell you to use

3M Strip Calk, 08578, Black Color, Soft Butyl Rubber, Paintable Immediately, 1 ft Strips, 60/Carton https://a.co/d/0WHvtiB

Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk
 

I tried that stuff.   Yuck.   Sticky, gooey, messy.  In hot hangar, ridiculous, in my opinion.

If you don't plan to open the instrument bay panels again, it would be great.   When Mooney wrote those specifications they were still using fiberglass insulation too.

I think I've still got it if you want it.  Maybe I tossed it.  The weatherstripping approach is SO much better.

[bcg]

14 hours ago, 0TreeLemur said:

I tried that stuff.   Yuck.   Sticky, gooey, messy.  In hot hangar, ridiculous, in my opinion.

If you don't plan to open the instrument bay panels again, it would be great.   When Mooney wrote those specifications they were still using fiberglass insulation too.

I think I've still got it if you want it.  Maybe I tossed it.  The weatherstripping approach is SO much better.

I put it in the freezer if it's above 70 outside, it's easier to handle cold.  Also, as I mentioned in the other post, keep your fingers wet and it won't adhere to them.  Once you know the tricks, it's really easy to work with.

[Fritz1]

No matter what seal you use, spray it with plenty of water when you are done to be dead sure that nothing gets in there. A 201 windshield gets rid of the access panels, no more seals, no more leaks but the avionics become even more of a Chinese puzzle. Pros and cons.

[0TreeLemur]

9 hours ago, bcg said:

I put it in the freezer if it's above 70 outside, it's easier to handle cold.  Also, as I mentioned in the other post, keep your fingers wet and it won't adhere to them.  Once you know the tricks, it's really easy to work with.

Ok.  I believe you.  It's still tar.  

The weatherstripping is not only easy to work with, it doesn't get all over you whenever you are elbows deep in the instrument bay after using it.   It also doesn't cling to anything.  The panels are easy to remove when you use the weatherstripping.  And after you remove them, they don't have black gunk on them.  Many upsides with using the weatherstripping.  Oh, and it works really well at keeping water out.

[Kelpro999]

On 2/17/2024 at 1:45 PM, C.J. said:

2nd question is what's the purpose of the foam rubber squares glued to the inside of the access panels?

 Insulation for three reasons. Reduce avionics heat from solar load, noise vibration dampening and reduce chance of condensation raining down into all things electrical. When you replace it avoid anything with foil backing.