Do the side panels need to be Sikaflexed aswell as riveted?

Just about to put them on

Its advisable to use some form of joining compound...

If anything, to stop vibration/noise

Also helps to keep the rivets tight...Stops dust etc...

so YES!

agree totally you need some panel bond or even basic silicon as the vibration will let road grime/salt work its way in between the panels and then once there it will rot the rivets and promote rust on the steel parts

ye agree too, i used sikkaflex as well as rivets.

Just use sika.

Don't bother with the rivets.

Sika will not fail if applied correctly.

Every panel on my car apart from the floor is only sika'd on.

Pat...

yes true sikka is strong stuff, but i had to rivet mine on to get the panel to stay on as they were such a tight fit.

Ive rivnutted mine on - no sika.

Glad I did, Ive needed to get at the side of the engine and turbo loads of times.

If its all one piece of GRP though I guess thats not an option.