Went over this morning to see if it was a good idea, or a disaster. YEA! Worked well.
Removed the masking tape on the plexiglass, and side skins, and did a little light clean-up on any residual 'leakage' - but it all looks very good. All the masking (and release film) protected the surfaces except where intended on the side skins to plexiglass.
Reattached the gas struts (removed to apply no pressure), and lifted the canopy with only 2 clecoes on each side skin (and a couple of clips on the front edge). Raised smootly and still flexes the canopy frame a little, but that will stiffen in the final step of sealing the perimeter.
There is no Sika yet on the bow, the front edge, or the L/R sides of the frame to plexiglass. The canopy plexiglass and side skins can be removed independently at this stage. Step 2 will seal the entire perimeter. Step 3 will be a Targa strip (Sika) and front-edge fiberglass contour (fill).
