Posted for Matt Reeves <mattreeves@yahoo.com>:

 Builders,

  I used Spraylat as a protective coating for my Lancair plexiglas canopy. It
was advertised as a plexiglas protectant during aircraft construction so I
bought some.  It came in a quart-size bottle with no labels, no directions, no
warnings, no Material Safety Data Sheets, nothing.

  I read on all the lists just to brush 2 coats on so I taped off the edges of
my canopy and brushed on the Spraylat.  A week or so later, I sprayed an
epoxy-based primer over the tape and some primer got onto the Spraylat which I
thought would protect the plexiglas.  It didn't.  Somehow the primer reacted
with the Spraylat and it made the Spraylat impossible to remove.  I thought
for sure it would protect my canopy during the construction process as
advertised and painting is a normal part of the construction process.

  I contacted Spraylat who said to soak a cloth in warm soapy water and let it
sit on the Spraylat.  No success.  I researched the internet and found that
Wicks Aircraft online catalog says, "NOT TO BE USED AS A PAINT MASK".  I
didn't know that before I bought it from Aircraft Spruce.  So, technically, it
protects the canopy during the construction process EXCEPT for paint.

  I have tried everything to remove it.  3M adhesive remover, lamp oil,
kerosene, and the only thing that worked was NOVUS 3.  Still, there was 10% of
the Spraylat which was permanent after a solid week of work.  I ended up using
a razorblade and then a dremel tool with a felt pad to remove the scratches
from the razorblade.  The dremel tool heated up the plexiglas and made small
internal cracks and completely distorted the canopy.  Now, my canopy needs to
be replaced - there is no way around it.  I was so close to first flight.  Now
it will take another year to rebuild it.

  So, here is what I learned:  NEVER USE SPRAYLAT around ANY type of paint.

  I am wondering if anyone else has had this type or any similar type of
experience with Spraylat.  Wicks aircraft told me they had heard of that
happening to someone else in the past which is why they added the statement.

  Also, is anyone else getting Spraylat in plain bottles with no warnings, no
labels, no instructions, and no Material Safety Data Sheets?  I'd really like
to know.  I am told that even if I received all of that, none of it includes a
warning that Spraylat is not to be used as a paintmask.

  This happened on a Lancair but I am posting this to all the aircraft sites
so that no one will go through what I've gone through and learned the hard
way.

  I look forward to hearing your experiences and advice.
  Please respond to me at:

  mattreeves@yahoo.com

  I sincerely appreciate anyone else's input and advice.