AVEO ZIPTIP MOUNTING BRACKETS
I made the decision to use the Aveo Engineering ZipTips product for my fiberglass wingtips. I really enjoy the nice finished look and really enjoy the lighting package on them. While I’m sure I could go on about the product itself, and likely will, this post is about assembly. My set of ZipTips were delivered in three distinct pieces. The main wingtip shell, a fiberglass mounting bracket insert, and the light housing. The wiring harness below was also pre-installed that runs to the strobes at the trailing edge. Today, I need to attach the ZipTip mounting brackets to the main wingtip shell.
I removed the access panel that was taped to the bottom of the wingtip. This will be another project for another day. But for now, I need to fiberglass in the mounting bracket to make it a permanent part of the ZipTip.
PREPPING THE WORK
The ZipTip mounting brackets are in great shape. Therefore, they do not need much work to get ready for the install. I sanded all of the edges to create a clean, uniform bonding surface. Then, I test fit them in each of the main wingtip housings for fit. Everything slid right into place. Time to set up for the glass job.
GLASSING TIME
First things first, I set up my workspace. Since it is winter here in Indy, I will not be doing any fiberglass work out in the hangar. At that temperature it wouldn’t cure until… Well it might not. Joking of course, but only a little. Time to set up my basement for the job instead.
This was not a complicated job and I honestly had fun with it. The photo above illustrates the materials I used in this process. I cut some strips of glass that I use to bond the mounting bracket in place as well as some microfibers. I use the West System epoxy resin for fiberglass work and have really enjoyed its consistency and reliable outcomes.
From here, it was pretty straightforward. I mixed up a pot of the 403 microfiber to a paste consistency. It was not quite a dry paste, but it would not run off of your stir stick if you hung it upside down. I spread a thin layer of this around the perimeter of the ZipTip mounting brackets and used this as a glue to set them in place. With the micro paste holding the brackets in place, I continued to fill any voids or spaces with micro as well. Finally, I ran a small seam of it along the edges of the bracket to create a clean transition layer for the fiberglass strips to lay on top of.
Next, I mixed up a pot of resin and wetted out the glass strips. I placed one layer down over the seams and then went back and added a second layer in a different orientation on the glass. Definite overkill, but I enjoyed the practice for when it really matters down the line.
