Mecaplex canopy window lube

[John Foster]

What is the best way to lube the sliding window in a Mecaplex canopy? Mine is a bit stiff, and I don't want to break it by using too much force. It will slide, but stiffly.

[[email protected]]

On Monday, February 17, 2020 at 2:23:52 PM UTC-5, John Foster wrote:
> What is the best way to lube the sliding window in a Mecaplex canopy? Mine is a bit stiff, and I don't want to break it by using too much force. It will slide, but stiffly.

Look for binds. You may need to smooth some edges with fine sandpaper. You should not need to lube.
Good luck
UH

[Dave Nadler]

On Monday, February 17, 2020 at 2:23:52 PM UTC-5, John Foster wrote:
> What is the best way to lube the sliding window in a Mecaplex canopy?
> Mine is a bit stiff, and I don't want to break it by using too much force.
> It will slide, but stiffly.

Clean the tracks with wet soft cotton cloth (not paper towel).
Work the window back and forth, clean again, and get all the grit out.

What UH says (very fine paper!)

[Eric Munk]

At 19:35 17 February 2020, Dave Nadler wrote:
>On Monday, February 17, 2020 at 2:23:52 PM UTC-5, John
Foster wrote:
>> What is the best way to lube the sliding window in a Mecaplex
canopy?
>> Mine is a bit stiff, and I don't want to break it by using too
much
>force.
>> It will slide, but stiffly.
>
>Clean the tracks with wet soft cotton cloth (not paper towel).
>Work the window back and forth, clean again, and get all the grit
out.
>
>What UH says (very fine paper!)
>

Pledge or bees wax helps too

[Charlie Papa[_2_]]

On Monday, 17 February 2020 17:30:04 UTC-5, Eric Munk wrote:
> At 19:35 17 February 2020, Dave Nadler wrote:
> >On Monday, February 17, 2020 at 2:23:52 PM UTC-5, John
> Foster wrote:
> >> What is the best way to lube the sliding window in a Mecaplex
> canopy?
> >> Mine is a bit stiff, and I don't want to break it by using too
> much
> >force.
> >> It will slide, but stiffly.
> >
> >Clean the tracks with wet soft cotton cloth (not paper towel).
> >Work the window back and forth, clean again, and get all the grit
> out.
> >
> >What UH says (very fine paper!)
> >
>
> Pledge or bees wax helps too

Or try some talcum powder...

[Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot)]

"Fine paper",....think 1500 grit to 3000 grit.....wet is better....
Yes, "wet paper towel" or similar can work.....start cheap/easy, work up....

[[email protected]]

I dip a Q-tip in canopy cleaner fluid and run it all around the tracks, then open and close the window several times.
Repeat as necessary. If it used to be free, then is got crud on the sides of the window and in the tracks. I also give the pop-out window bolt a quarter turn, if it’s popping out all by itself!
JJ

[Karl Striedieck[_2_]]

It's not difficult to remove the two tracks and siding window, and then clean the tracks, swab some vaseline in the tracks and reassemble.

KS

[Dave Nadler]

On Monday, February 17, 2020 at 8:38:04 PM UTC-5, Karl Striedieck wrote:
> It's not difficult to remove the two tracks and siding window,
> and then clean the tracks, swab some vaseline in the tracks and reassemble.

Take special care not to over-tighten screws and crack plexi.
Vaseline will trap grit; not recommended.
No lube should be necessary, but wax will trap less grit if you must.

See ya in Little Rock and Seminole!
Best Regards, Dave

[cdeerinck]

On Monday, February 17, 2020 at 11:23:52 AM UTC-8, John Foster wrote:
> What is the best way to lube the sliding window in a Mecaplex canopy? Mine is a bit stiff, and I don't want to break it by using too much force. It will slide, but stiffly.

I think your best bet is to remove the rails, clean everything, then reassemble.

[bumper[_4_]]

I spray a Q-tip with a bit of silicone spray. Doesn't attract dirt, slicker than snake snot on a flat rock.

[Papa3[_2_]]

On Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at 2:58:45 AM UTC-5, bumper wrote:
> I spray a Q-tip with a bit of silicone spray. Doesn't attract dirt, slicker than snake snot on a flat rock.

Just curious. Exactly how slippery IS snake snot on a flat rock?
https://www.astm.org/Standards/F2508.htm

[John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net]

I have often used an old candle to rub wax onto sticky sliding/meshing parts (drawers, zippers, etc). Should work here too.

[Dan Marotta]

Like some before have said, if it used to slide freely and now it
doesn't, it's most likely dirty.Â* The first logical step is simply to
clean it.

On 2/18/2020 8:28 AM, John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
> I have often used an old candle to rub wax onto sticky sliding/meshing parts (drawers, zippers, etc). Should work here too.

--
Dan, 5J