Note: Handle the bubble with care. It is not “fragile” but can be scratched easily. The more care you use to protect the plastic the better the finished product will be. Please see Canopy Guidelines
Note: An extra person is very helpfully when handling the bubble
Note: Some photos were taken out of sequence, and are for reference only.
1.On the outside of the skirt, mark a line 1 inch (25.4 mm) below, from the top edge, of the canopy skirt. You can do this by making marks along the edge around the skirt, one inch back, and then measuring every 2-4 inches and connecting these marks with a straight edge, or a flexible ruler around the curves.
2.Position the canopy bubble front at the canopy frame so you will be using the extreme forward portion of the bubble. The bubble forward edge should be on the “1 inch line” from step 1.
This will ensure maximum finished height, and clearance over roll bar when matted to fuselage.
3.Center the bubble so you have equal material to trim off each side
4.Tape the bubble in place, and sighting through the bubble mark the “1 inch line” on outside of bubble.
Note: Skip here if bubble was pre marked
5.Remove the bubble and trim the canopy about 1 inch (25.4 mm) outside this line (giving you a 1” error margin). We use a 1/16 thick cutoff wheel, on either a 90° die grinder, or a 4 inch 90° electric grinder. Use caution to not allow the wheel to “bind” and grab the plastic. Also position grinder rotation so it is pulling the tool away from you, not pushing back against you. This helps prevent kickbacks.
Note: The grinder will produce little balls of hot plastic, so use appropriate eye, and skin protection when cutting the plastic.
6.Fit canopy over skirt and assess the cut. It should fit close now. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the bubble fits nicely over the skirt and is trimmed to the “1 inch line”
Note: Skip to here if canopy is pre-trimmed
