White spirit or methylated spirit?

[Gingernuts]

Just about to fix Fiamma rack mounts to my pvc. There’s a fair bit of algae on the roof what do people use to clean it off?
The mounts have to be fixed using Sikaflex 252 structural adhesive and I was going to clean the mounting spots with white spirit or meths, which would you recommend?
Tia Alex

 

[68c]

Plain water will soften and remove algea. You could use a detergent but make sure it is well rinsed. Do not use car wash as it may contain wax which of course will make it difficult for the Sika to get a good bond. Do not use white spirit as it can leave an oily residue. So meths seems a good option. Just be carefull to only apply it where needed and all should be well. I would use acetone/nail varnish remover.

 

[L' Hobo]

Wash off with a bit of washing up liquid and after, wash well with clean water (best done after a shower of rain).

Amongst the Sealant section in most DIY stores there is a universal cleanser for use before these sealants. I would use these OR surgical spirits as they are more refined than Meths.

 

[Dorwyn]

Isopropyl alcohol is great for pre cleaning, leaves no residue. It is similar to surgical spirit

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Plain water will soften and remove algea. You could use a detergent but make sure it is well rinsed. Do not use car wash as it may contain wax which of course will make it difficult for the Sika to get a good bond. Do not use white spirit as it can leave an oily residue. So meths seems a good option. Just be carefull to only apply it where needed and all should be well. I would use acetone/nail varnish remover.

I personally wouldn't use acetone as it may soften the paint and cause it to peel. Just use an alcohol base ,meths or similar.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Gingernuts]

I personally wouldn't use acetone as it may soften the paint and cause it to peel. Just use an alcohol base ,meths or similar.

Using just detergent non bio and a garden hose has removed 90% of the algae and 0.5% of paint , I thought the x250 was past the crap fiat paint problem!!!!! I dread to think what acetone would do

 

[jockaneezer]

White spirits may leave a slight oily residue, meths should evaporate completely away ?

 

[68c]

Just use the acetone where the mounting feet fit. Wipe with a dampened swab. Of course you could just throw a bucketfull over the roof, make sure your car is not parked next to it.

 

[Tombola]

Get on silkas website..the data sheet will say what not to use.

I'm sure some of them say keep alcohol etc away but obvs roughen up the surface a bit

 

[Reallyretired]

Surgical spirit contains oil so would not be suitable. Meths or isopropyl alcohol fine.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Tombola]

But remember alcohol can stop it from curing and should never be used near fresh silka

My Sikaflex isnt drying – What do I do?!

(Image from at Sika we get asked alot of questions about our products and for help with DIY projects.We want everyone to be able to have access to the information they need at all times, so for th…

sikaflexit.wordpress.com

 

[enark]

Petrol does the job, just don’t smoke whilst doing so……

 

[St3v3]

Water.

My work experience in a printing inks company, testing lab. We had a lot of very nasty solvents and I tried them all to shift a tea stain off the bench. None worked. Bloke said use water. Ha ha, wind up the work experience idiot...

Came off really easy

 

[the1andonly]

That's because you needed a polar solvent not organic.
One of the best solvents is a 50% 50% mix of di-water and IPA (propan2ol)

 

[Peregrinator]

Just about to fix Fiamma rack mounts to my pvc. There’s a fair bit of algae on the roof what do people use to clean it off?
The mounts have to be fixed using Sikaflex 252 structural adhesive and I was going to clean the mounting spots with white spirit or meths, which would you recommend?
Tia Alex

Would use neither, ethanol additive in Meths might interfere with the Sikaflex curing, and White spirit is a no no, that is oil based. give it a good scrub, then a very good rinse, then dry with lint free cloth.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Tombola]

There is no real need for all these solvents or alcohol etc, they only remove slight surface oils.
clean it, light sand it, tac cloth or lint free remove it... glue it

 

[Gingernuts]

There is no real need for all these solvents or alcohol etc, they only remove slight surface oils.
clean it, light sand it, tac cloth or lint free remove it... glue it

As it ended up I didn’t fit the brackets as (typically) one of the clamps didn’t fit on the pegs on the van so it might need some fettling first!
Rain forecast for the next week so won’t be clambering about on the roof for a wee while

 

[TheBig1]

A very important point, lightly sand the roof contact area, and the mount for the rack to give the adhesive a proper key to bond to. Some parts are coated or have mould release agents that prevent sikaflex and other adhesives from properly bonding