Are your wing root seals old and cruddy looking? Or did they just disappear after your last flight?

In any event, here are some pireps on this project from the Beech List that will help you accomplish this project in CSOB style!

Feel free to Email me any pictures of your wing root seal install.

Pirep #1

Well gang, after a lot of procrastination, I finally installed new wing root and horizontal stabilizer seals on my A-36, finishing it up this afternoon.  They look REAL good, and it was worth the effort.  Here's my method for the wing root seals, which worked fairly well, it took about 4 hours per side without a helper.  The stab seals were a piece of cake compared to the wing seals.

Cut majority of old seal off using razor blade, leaving a small lip sticking above the wing.  I then used a small pick bent at a 90 degree angle, with about a 3/8" 'hook' on the end.  Using the hook, I stuck it under the wing skin, between the skin and the old rubber wing seal lip under the skin, and forced it along the chord of the wing.  This broke the rubber lip on the under side of the wing skin free from the wing.  Then I fished out the rubber pieces that were now broken free.  Once all of the old rubber was off, cleaned up old glue using MEK.  MAKE SURE YOUR WORK AREA IS WELL VENTILATED - THIS IS NASTY STUFF.  Now for the fun part - installing the new seals.  From what I had read I was dreading this, but it went very well.  I used Go-Jo hand cleaner for a lubricant, and was able to install both root seals without having to cut off the lip as some have suggested.  The seal, when lubed with Go-Jo will fit in the narrowest of gaps using a little elbow grease.  Just lubed it up, put the lip between the wing and fuselage, and using my fingers, was able to push the seal in to place.  Again, no where did I have to cut off the lip, except over the wing attach fittings.  When the seal was in place, I cleaned the seal and wing skin with a mild solvent (Pre-Kleano) to get the Go-Jo off, as well as to generally clean up the rubber.  Then using masking tape to mask off areas where I didn't want to apply glue, I applied contact cement on the wing skin and rubber, and once dry, pressed it down for a good flat seal.  It really looks great.  Go-Jo is VERY slippery, and it worked extremely well as a rubber lubricant.  This worked for me, your mileage and HP may vary.
 

Pirep #2

To remove the old, I tried as best I could to remove the old in tact (no razor blading as best I could). I tried to pull the rubbers up some, then use #M adhesive remover and when needed, I used MEK on a rag trying to touch the rubber more and the plane less. The removal, clean up, and prep takes all the real time of this job (just ask Mike McNamara -- LOL).

The adhesive is applied to both the wing area (more) and the fuselage area (less) where the rubber will cover it. I used 3M blue line tape to mask off the work area.  I use acid brushes to brush on the thinned out 3M 1300L and let it dry.

I brush the thinned out 1300 L onto the rubber as well (not including the tongue). I brush on Corrosion-X onto the tongue in a careful, thin amount - just enough for a lube during the insertion (sounds like...LOL).

Taking the MEK and another acid brush, flash the adhesive (make it sticky again) for about one foot, insert the tongue, line up the rubber, and press into place --- now one foot of the rubber is attached - real good.  Now flash another foot and insert it, then another foot..... When done, remove the blue line tape, use MEK on a rag to remove any "extra" adhesive or use the 3M adhesive remover, clean, and then wax that paint area that was "hit" by the work.

Expect an eight foot length to take 2 to 4 hours to clean and prep and less than 1 hour to install the new piece.

Pirep #3
 

Changed mine out several years ago.  Was told to cut as little of web as possible, masked and glued the area where it would seat, glued the rubber (3-M weather stripping glue, contact cement). Allowed the glue to dry, then re-activated by re-applying glue as I worked the seals into place.  I used a large screwdriver that I dressed-up with a grinding wheel, rounding the corners and blade edge. Took all day, but the results were excellent.  One of the old Beechcraft line guys at the ABS convention in Wichita saw the work and remarked that it looked better than theirs!  Both strips have remained attached 100% and still look good. If anyone wants the 3-M number for the glue, let me know and I'll dig up the old tube.