Sikaflex

[HobbyHarvey]

Morning all, which sikaflex is recommended for bonding solar panel mounts to the motorhome roof, looking at either291i or 292i.
Also what is the recommended surface preparation for a GRP roof
Many thanks
Mike

 

[Richard n Ann]

Think I used sikaflex 512 (there was a pic of a caravan on it anyway)
I wiped the roof with meths and then screwed down through the lot. My roof is aluminium skin though.

 

[Speve]

I wouldn’t screw down through the roof the less holes the better I have found Stixall to be very good and cheaper than Sikaflex.

 

[scotjimland]

looking at either291i or 292i.

Neither ..


This is the instructions from Alden

I followed them to fix an Alden AS4 auto dish , a lot heaver than a solar panel.. no problems

Sika 252 for fixing sat dish or solar panels.


Glueing the external unit

1. Use a pencil to mark the place of the unit on the roof.
   
2. Sand the roof surface with sandpaper.
   
3. Clean each surface with a thinner.
   
4. Spread Sika-Aktivator on the sanded surface.
   Leave to dry for 15 to 20 minutes.
   
5. Glue generously the base of the unit with SikaFlex 252 then press slightly on the unit. Layer of glue: ± 3 mm.

1. To accelerate the polymerisation, spray a little water on the visible parts of the glue.

Leave to dry for 24 hours.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Neither ..


This is the instructions from Alden

I followed them to fix an Alden AS4 auto dish , a lot heaver than a solar panel.. no problems

Sika 252 for fixing sat dish or solar panels.


Glueing the external unit

1. Use a pencil to mark the place of the unit on the roof.
   
2. Sand the roof surface with sandpaper.
   
3. Clean each surface with a thinner.
   
4. Spread Sika-Aktivator on the sanded surface.
   Leave to dry for 15 to 20 minutes.
   
5. Glue generously the base of the unit with SikaFlex 252 then press slightly on the unit. Layer of glue: ± 3 mm.

1. To accelerate the polymerisation, spray a little water on the visible parts of the glue.

Leave to dry for 24 hours.

I'm not saying they're wrong, but why is there a picture of a motorhome on Sikaflex 512?

Perhaps it's for sealing windows or something else anyway it's immovable now it's cured.

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[Richard n Ann]

Googling further... I think they're mostly the same product with a few different additives in.

 

[scotjimland]

I'm not saying they're wrong, but why is there a picture of a motorhome on Sikaflex 512?

the photo of a motorhome doesn't tell you what it's specific application is ,
each Sika product has a different application.. adhesive, sealer, marine, etc..

Alden supply Sika 252 + Akitvator and Instructions with the auto dish kit.

my dish has been on three years, and was still there when I sold the van

 

[Ianm18]

Mike

I just completed the fitment of another’s solar panel and I used 512 no problems

 

[TinaLes]

Nearly ready to fit my solar panels and cable entry box to our new moho.
I have the Sikaflex 512 but dont have the activator/cleaning stuff. Is it really needed?, from what I have read thus far on here, provided that I prepare the surface with some wet & dry where the brackets are being located, wipe clean ect, then the stuff sticks like you know what to a blanket.
Am I wrong?, I sure wont be screwing the brackets to the roof though, too scared on that one
Les

 

[Silver-Fox]

Personally I would use panel wipe for cleaning any area to take adhesive.
It doesn't leave any kind of residue behind.

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[TinaLes]

Personally I would use panel wipe for cleaning any area to take adhesive.
It doesn't leave any kind of residue behind.

Thanks for that, can you give me an idea of what "panel Wipes" you are referring to.
I have screen wipes but I guess you are thinking of something different, Just wish I still had my aerosol can of Switch Cleaner, that cleaned everything in the old days.

Les

 

[Silver-Fox]

It might be worth going to a local body repair shop with a small container and ask if you can have a splash of panel wipe. Bung them a couple of quid for a coffee and jobs a good un.
Its the fluid they use prior to painting so you cant afford to leave any chemicals on the panels.

Shame your not closer as I tend to buy it in 5l cans when I'm doing a car polish.

Or buy switch cleaner as you say

 

[Simon Richardson]

I used 512 for my Dish as per Maxviews instructions. It's that sticky you could clean your roof with a Baby Wipe and it would still stick!

 

[TinaLes]

Thanks Guys for the advice.
Les

 

[tonyidle]

It might be worth going to a local body repair shop with a small container and ask if you can have a splash of panel wipe. Bung them a couple of quid for a coffee and jobs a good un.
Its the fluid they use prior to painting so you cant afford to leave any chemicals on the panels.

Shame your not closer as I tend to buy it in 5l cans when I'm doing a car polish.

Or buy switch cleaner as you say

Switch cleaner (most varieties) contains corrosion inhibitors and lubricant. I wouldn't advise using it to degrease / de-wax.

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[andy63]

If you dont have panel wipe as mentioned already , then i find a final wipe down with meths cleans the area up well enough..
On the sikaflex question... again i find any of the brands of pu adhesive /sealant does the job just as well , often at a fraction of the price of sikaflex
Andy

 

[Lenny HB]

I always use 291i for solar panels and 292i for sat dishes.

 

[Silver-Fox]

Switch cleaner (most varieties) contains corrosion inhibitors and lubricant. I wouldn't advise using it to degrease / de-wax.

I stand corrected.
Back to my original suggestion then, panel wipe

 

[TinaLes]

Thanks again Guys jobs a good un.
Halfords do packs of panel wipes for £1.40
Les

 

[romany]

Another vote for Stixall here used it to stick an awning rail to the bottom of my fiama awning (easier for drive away awning) and that is still holding two years later despite having the awning up during some fairly strong winds.

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