Hi, just starting the panel fixing and wonder what is the best way for fixing to the powder coated chassis. (With rivets)
1) Just apply the sikaflex to the powder coat.
2) Key the powder coat and then apply the sikaflex.
3)Grind the powder coat to clean metal then apply the sikaflex.

Thanks in anticipation of a great response to a common challenge.

Len.

mines just bolted up then sikaflex in all the gaps

Sikaflex bonds to powder coat just fine. If I was being fancy I'd de-grease it first incase it got covered in general garage greasy shite during storage...

Good God, don't grind or sand it - Another vote for a bit of a clean and #1.

Sikaflex is very good at reducing panel vibration which is one of the reasons that people use it. Its pretty amazing stuff really.

And wear some latex gloves as its an arse to get of yer fingers still had some on my fingers post sva

I gave the chasis a quick run over with degreaser first, then a run of sickaflex. Don't grind. The odd think I found is that sikaflex doesn't like the plastic tunnel pannels that MK supply, just didn't want to bond to them.

I think ReMan put a couple of securing rivets and the end of his bodywork.

I've sikaflex glued on ally pannels with rivets at strategic points, clamped the lot, then bolted over the fibre glass body. Give that the fibre glass would be a sod if it got cracked I thought this the best compromise (and it seems to make the MK body work fit much better).

To get sikaflex off yourself, either WD40 followed by washing up liquid, or just washing up liquid with one of those foam scubbing pads with the rough side.

Sorry for the hijack, but I'm about to start the floor and wondered how far apart I should rivet? I'm using 2mm Ally and Sikaflex.

Ta

JB

Which type of sikaflex have you all used for bonding the Ali panels ?

A quick scan of ebay showed up Sikaflex.221, 291 (marine), 521 (caravan), 255(windows) etc, etc

Does it really matter which type ?
Cheers
Tris

I've just finished mine used 4mm stainless steel rivets 50mm apart, put a bead of Sikaflex either side of the rivet line fitted the panel and riveted up.

Definitely didn't grind off the powder coat, just gave the chassis and Ally sheet a clean first.

If you go to the Sikaflex website it explains which product is best for which application I used 221

[Edited on 27/11/09 by big-vee-twin]

Yes leave the powder coat alone apart from a degrease but I have found that on my ali sheet the ones I have slightly keyed with a bit of wet and dry and then degreased have stuck far better than the ones that I didn't.

If you do decide to key your ali floor remember to only do the bits where the box section are or you maybe disappointed when you turn your chassis over!!

Cheers

Rich

Thanks to eveone who has responded.

Looks like a de-grease, slight keying of the ali and a nice row of rivets at 50mm pitch.

Sikaflex 221, rubber gloves and some WD40 just in case.....

Len.

Sounds like you're gonna have one hell of a party Is it bring your own whip and chains

lol!