Sikaflex Pre Treatment

[A S R]

What is it and should I bother?
I’m going to use Sikaflex 291i to bond two box section aluminium 6ft lengths to my vans roof and I heard about a pre treatment that can be used. Yes? No?

 

[RogerIvy]

Sikaflex Activator is what you need

 

[Lenny HB]

The activator for 291i is expensive I think £30 and if you read the blurb it says "may improve adhesion" I've never used it and never had any problems.

 

[tonyidle]

The activator for 291i is expensive I think £30 and if you read the blurb it says "may improve adhesion" I've never used it and never had any problems.

Neither have I and neither have I.

 

[RogerIvy]

The activator for 291i is expensive I think £30 and if you read the blurb it says "may improve adhesion" I've never used it and never had any problems.

For a small job a £30 activator may be an unnecessary expense if the rest of your prep is spot on.
Because we do so many panels we use it anyway but do other prep which in our view is more important. Thorough cleaning, scuffing the surface, bone dry … no worries

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[jollyrodger]

I've used 291i a good few times (it goes off very quick) flows better if tube left in hot water prior to use.
Never used activator ,but cleaned surfaces with acetone prior to use .
A few vans still going around with rooves (roof's ) still on.
Sikaflex 522 may be better for your needs

 

[RogerIvy]

I've used 291i a good few times (it goes off very quick) flows better if tube left in hot water prior to use.
Never used activator ,but cleaned surfaces with acetone prior to use .
A few vans still going around with rooves (roof's ) still on.
Sikaflex 522 may be better for your needs

When we spoke to Sikaflex they said 552 was what we should use for mounting panels.

 

[A S R]

Has anyone ever read the 15 pages of the Safety Data Sheet information for the Sika Activator!
Holy cow!

 

[RogerIvy]

Has anyone ever read the 15 pages of the Safety Data Sheet information for the Sika Activator!
Holy cow!

Real chemicals for real men?

 

[A S R]

I've used 291i a good few times (it goes off very quick) flows better if tube left in hot water prior to use.
Never used activator ,but cleaned surfaces with acetone prior to use .
A few vans still going around with rooves (roof's ) still on.
Sikaflex 522 may be better for your needs

I’ve got some degreasing body shop panel wipe that I was going to use. I’ve previously used it before sticking various other things down and it’s been ok. I’ll slightly roughen the area too before I stick anything down.

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[treblid]

When we spoke to Sikaflex they said 552 was what we should use for mounting panels.

I see Sika have a "newer" (?) version now - 554 which is described as a 'mounting adhesive'.

Sika Mounting Adhesive - Sikaflex-554 Black - Ideal for Large Components and High Dynamic Load - Ageing and Weather Resistant - 300 ml https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09N7FFXS7

Not used it as already fitted a PV panel fitted with 291i.

 

[Roger S]

I did use it when I stuck mine down it cost about £25, for me it was peace of mind, perhaps over kill but I would rather be sure.

 

[A S R]

I’ve just ordered a 3 pack of white 554 to go with the 3 pack of 291i I got yesterday! You can never have too much Sikaflex!
Oh and that’s in addition to 2 tubes of white EBT+ and a tube of black EBT+!

 

[VXman]

The activator for 291i is expensive I think £30 and if you read the blurb it says "may improve adhesion" I've never used it and never had any problems.

I used it but to be honest I don't think it's necessary. A decent roughing up of the surfaces and clean with a spirit should suffice

 

[jollyrodger]

I’ve just ordered a 3 pack of white 554 to go with the 3 pack of 291i I got yesterday! You can never have too much Sikaflex!
Oh and that’s in addition to 2 tubes of white EBT+ and a tube of black EBT+!

Have fun with the black, a little goes a long way if you don't watch out

Ask me how I know

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[A S R]

I got the white.

 

[A S R]

So, how long does Sikaflex 554 need to “ set “ well enough to be able to drive?
The underside of the aluminium bar has been roughened with 60 grit and the van roof will also be slightly roughened and both thoroughly cleaned with panel wipe before a nice thick slab of 554 applied ( 3mm - 4mm ).
Is a week long enough?

 

[Lenny HB]

So, how long does Sikaflex 554 need to “ set “ well enough to be able to drive?
The underside of the aluminium bar has been roughened with 60 grit and the van roof will also be slightly roughened and both thoroughly cleaned with panel wipe before a nice thick slab of 554 applied ( 3mm - 4mm ).
Is a week long enough?

file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/sikaflex-554.pdf

 

[treblid]

So, how long does Sikaflex 554 need to “ set “ well enough to be able to drive?

I think Lenny HB meant this link and not his local file: https://gbr.sika.com/dam/dms/gb01/6/sikaflex-554.pdf

 

[Lenny HB]

I think Lenny HB meant this link and not his local file: https://gbr.sika.com/dam/dms/gb01/6/sikaflex-554.pdf

Well spotted.

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[A S R]

So if I’m understanding that graph it’ll take 2 days for a 4mm bed of 554?
Ta.

 

[stevewagner]

I use tile spacers between the surfaces to prevent too much adhesive being squeezed out when compressing them.

 

[A S R]

Well the aluminium beams stayed stuck on just fine for the last month bouncing and crashing around the highlands.

 

[Neilh]

Nice job. We use Sika & Dow Corning to secure glass weighing several hundreds of kilo on to aluminium profiles, 20 floors up. The forces are massive, the contact surface would usually be anodised aluminium, which has been kept away from any contamination, never with a rough surface and I've not heard of a failure. If done correctly you could lift the van before the bond would break.

 

[Sandancers]

I’ve just ordered a 3 pack of white 554 to go with the 3 pack of 291i I got yesterday! You can never have too much Sikaflex!
Oh and that’s in addition to 2 tubes of white EBT+ and a tube of black EBT+!

Will you use it before the tube expiry date ?

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[BouncyBoatFolk]

Well the aluminium beams stayed stuck on just fine for the last month bouncing and crashing around the highlands. View attachment 965491View attachment 965492

Nice job on the new panel, well done.However, If it were me I'd retro fit some angle ally, or any of the box section you have left to the spaces in between the plastic corner blocks and the two ends of that smaller panel.Those plastic blocks alone don't have much surface area, and if any blocks do let go it's more often than not those.This was advise I received from this forum.
Mike.

 

[Northernraider]

I’ve got some degreasing body shop panel wipe that I was going to use. I’ve previously used it before sticking various other things down and it’s been ok. I’ll slightly roughen the area too before I stick anything down.

That'll do fine

 

[VXman]

looks a good job. So good I'm struggling to see the adhesive!!!

 

[Northernraider]

looks a good job. So good I'm struggling to see the adhesive!!!

Funny you should say that but I also wondered where the 4mm of adhesive was . I know on mine I've a heavy bead all the way around the aluminium. Used tile spacers just to make sure

 

[A S R]

looks a good job. So good I'm struggling to see the adhesive!!!

I took that pic when I put them both up there on a trial fit.
I needed to check my measurements were correct.
Don’t think I’ve taken any pics since I stuck them down.

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