Wendell Folks RV-8 Project - Page 53.

May 24, 2007:  The first two layers of fiberglass are installed in the carburetor air intake in the lower cowl.  This balloon was turned inside out and inflated to assure the glass would conform to the shape of the foam blocks previously installed around the opening in the cowl.

Here is the view from the other side.  Tomorrow we will get a chance to see how well the process worked.

This view looking down gives the rest of the story.

Wendell is glad to see the process is curing in preparation for the next work session.  A pair of hemostats has sealed the air inside the balloon.  The pack of balloons are the same ones I used on my cowl over two years ago.

May 26, 2007: One side of the duct work did not get enough epoxy and the 9-ounce glass was a bit short of the front overlap with the original cowl material.  At this point I advised Wendell of the follow-up work that will be needed to resolve this minor issue.

Here is the inside before the excess material is trimmed away.  The balloon came out cleaner than on my airplane.  I should have thought about turning the balloon "inside out" before this time.

There was enough ambient light to suppress the flash on this photo.   Wendell is discovering just how easy the foam is removed after the first layers of fiberglass have cured overnight.

Here is the whole area after the residual foam is washed away with a toothbrush and acetone.  The epoxy that previously secured the foam blocks has also been removed as much as possible.