I was supposed to go flying this morning for some more solo pattern work.  My CFI (and me) wanted some more solo time since it has been 9 months since I last flew on a regular basis.  I am getting ready for my first dual cross country.  Long story short, the weather was cruddy this morning so out to the garage I went to do more tank sealing.

On the right tank, I used alumiprep and a scotchbrite to clean and etch the aluminum prior to sealing.  Although that works okay, you have to be really careful to get everything thoroughly rinsed off.  On this tank, I decided that I would just use MEK and a scotchbrite pad.  After I scrub the parts thoroughly, I wiped them dry with a clean rag before the MEK evaporated.

No in-process pictures here as it is to difficult when you are sticking to everything.  As with the right tank, I have installed and sealed the tank vent fitting, a vapor return line, and the sealed nutplates used to secure the inspection cover.  I go a little overboard with tank sealant, but it worked for me on the last fuel tank.  I fully encapsulate rivet shop head and around the perimeter of the sealed nutplates.  If I did a good job here, the only fuel leakage path is through that big hole in the center.

Just a close up of the tank vent and fuel vapor return AN fittings.  I torqued these -4D fittings to 65 in-ibs and then fully encapsulated the fitting around the nut and up the 2 (or so) threads.

Here are the vent fittings from the outboard side.

I couldn't get real motivated to do more work on the plane today.  Installing the components on this rib make for a messy day.  I am wearing tank sealant on my arms, clothes and legs.  How does that stuff get EVERYWHERE???