Day 2:
Supplies I used for sealing the fuel tank:
MEK (for cleaning the oils off of sheet metal), pre-measured sealant (I used a two-part polysulfide from Aircraft Spruce), acid/glue brushes with the bristles cut down (also from Aircraft Spruce), cotton t-shirts cut into 4 inch squares, shop towels also cut into 4 inch squares, masking tape, gloves, rivet gun, and a back rivet plate.
This is the premeasured sealant from Aircraft Spruce.
All mating surfaces have been roughened with a scotchbrite pad. Masking tape has been applied to all areas where we do not want sealant. The T-711 stiffeners have been acid etched and alodined.
I prefer to apply the sealant using a brush instead of a popsicle stick. First, I taped in all the rivets. Then, I brushed the sealant on the stiffeners in the first section and back riveted.
After back riveting all the rivets in each section, I went back and brushed the sealant over the rivets and around the stiffeners.
The brush provides excellent coverage.
Make sure to remove the masking tape before the sealant dries.
I do not find it necessary to apply sealant to each individual rivet using this method. Looks like I have plenty of coverage.
Make sure that there is no dried sealant where the ribs attach.
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