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Instructions For Installing Your Access Opening Kit.
The Backing Plate and Cover Plate holes are symmetrical and can be mounted in any direction.

If you are installing your Access Opening during construction, and you have access to both side of the area where you are going to install the Access Opening, here is the way that I recommend you install it, working from the inside.

1. Place the Backing Plate where you want the Access Opening to be installed.

2. Using a marking pen, carefully trace around the outside of the Backing Plate.

3. Make a mark thru the 4 corner holes of the Backing Plate for later reference.

4. Now mark down through 4 Nut Plates, 2 each on opposite corners.

5. Remove the Backing Plate and carefully place the cover plate so that the 4 holes you marked thru the Nut Plates are centered in the screw holes on opposite corners.

6. Now very carefully mark around the outside of the Cover Plate.

7. Using a Dremel Tool, or your favorite way of cutting aluminum sheet, cut and finish the opening so that the Cover Plate just fits flush into the opening.  Make it neat as possible as this is how it is going to look when finished.

8. Attach the Cover Plate to the Front of the Backing Plate, using 2 Phillips Head screws on opposite corners of the cover.  Before tightening, make sure all the other holes in the Cover Plate are centered over the Nut Plate openings.

9. From the inside, place the Cover Plate face down through the opening so that it is flush with the skin on the outside.  If you cut your opening just right, the four corner holes you marked thru the Backing Plate should be showing and the Backing Plate will fit the outline you drew earlier.   If it is off a bit, don’t worry as you have not drilled any mounting holes yet.

10. When you are sure your cover plate fits into your opening, using the Backing Plate as a template, carefully drill a 3/32 hole in one corner.  Try not to let the Backing Plate move.  Now put a Silver Cleco thru the hole to hold the backing plate in place.  Drill a second hole in an opposite corner and Cleco it also.  When you are satisfied that the cover plate is where you want it to be in the opening, drill and Cleco the rest of the mounting holes thru the Backing Plate 3/32 pre drilled holes.

11. Before continuing, make a mark across the Skin, Backing Plate, and Cover Plate, on the back.  This will help you to assemble them in the same position as you have fit them to..

12. I supply 3/32 Flush Head Rivets with the Kit.  Using a 3/32 Dimple Die, you can now make the rivet dimple thru both your Skin and the Backing Plate at the same time.  This will provide a smooth outside surface when your finished.  Keep the assembly Clecoed together as you proceed, to keep everything in alignment.   Now squeeze the Rivets into place and sit back and admire your very neat Access Opening.

Installing Access Opening Into A Finished Area Without Inside Access

You can use the procedure outlined above, except you will be working from the outside, (finished side) of the airplane.  The only difference is that you will not be able to get the Backing Plate thru the Cover Plate opening.  After you have finished cutting the opening and drilling the Backing Plate mounting holes, from the outside, you will then cut across the backing plate, making sure not to cut thru any holes, so that you can now insert one end of the cut Backing Plate into the opening and then turn it as you work the rest of the Backing Plate thru the Cover Plate opening.

        NOTE:  DO NOT CUT THE BACKING PLATE INTO TWO PIECES, JUST CUT ACROSS IN ONE PLACE

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