Glueing things to a flat roof - sikaflex?

I want to fix a solar panel to the roof of the 101. I'd rather not drill any holes to avoid any possible leakage since it is now watertight for the first time ever!..

I have seen sikaflex mentioned before - but can anybody tell me if it is any good for bonding a couple of lengths of ally angle to an ally roof?

the panel is bonded into an ally frame, so i could easily bolt this into 2 angle rails. It only weighs 5kg but i dont really want it falling off at speed (well - what speed i can achieve!) or if i hit a bump.

Is there any particular type of sikaflex i should be looking for? it appears to be sold like locktite with loads of varieties all with numbers. Can i buy it from b+q or will i likely have more luck at a chandlers? Will it bond to bits of ally? - and i assume they will need to be paint free.

Or am i better off just trying to rivet my mounting railes into the roof? and using lots of paint and silicone to seal them?

Reply to
Tom Woods
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The Sikaflex urethane stuff that is used to bond windscreens in should be up to the job. Or as an alternative use one of the double-sided tapes 3M make for assembling coachwork or aircraft.

Reply to
EMB

The question then is how sticky your paint is 8-)

I'd be tempted to fasten brackets. Unless it's a magic wireless one you will have to drill a hole sometime.

May be worth checking what the chaps at the likes of North Staffs Caravans use when sealing the roof ariels to the caravans.

Lee D

Reply to
Lee_D

Do they really assemble planes using double sided tape? Why dont bits fall off when it gets warm/cold/wet? ;)

Reply to
Tom Woods

Panel is going on the front section of the roof above the cab and the wire is already routed through the air intake on the front of the truck above the windscreen, so it dont need no holes in the roof :) one step ahead of you there :p

good idea. Thats the place in silverdale isnt it? theyve always been really useful when ive been in for stuff in the past, despite the fact that i dont think ive ever bought anything from them!

The council fitted a new streetlight the other day and turned it on tonight. Its virtually right above the 101's parking spot so im wondering if the panel will manage to steal any 'leccy from it!. Its a very bright white light (I can now see to get my keys in the back door

10+m away) so it might do!
Reply to
Tom Woods

That glue is a one time bond its stickier than a .... really sticky thing, on clean metal, the metal will fail before the bond will !

Steve

Reply to
Steve Taylor

Sikaflex will be stronger than anything else if you get a good clean surface to mount on. The metal will fail before the sikaflex does.

Reply to
SimonJ

Try here

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or here is link is broken
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Steve W (in Aus)

Reply to
Steve/Aus

On or around Wed, 19 Dec 2007 12:01:10 -0800 (PST), Tom Woods enlightened us thusly:

proper double-sided tape.

I've got some here which is supposed to take 1lb per sq in., and seems to be waterproof: I used it to stick the council PH plate to the back door, and I've previously used it to stick number plates on, and it doesn't come off, even with the pressure washer.

Reply to
Austin Shackles

They really honestly do use it in aircraft. And bits don't fall off cos it's based on some form of black magic.

Reply to
EMB

OMG first its double sided tape next its bloody chocoltaes holding it all together :o)

Reply to
Tony

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