Well, here is an update on the Polymax.
First of all, if you are looking for a pristine material, this is not it. It came complete with scratches and imperfections, but I guess we should remember, this stuff is primarily for farm use. They say it's indestructible, and it is a very tough material.
It wasn't in terrible shape, but knowing from reading here that some of you "craftsman" probably would not be happy with the finish. One side was very shiney and the other not so shiney and it had a film of some sort on it, I guess from the manufacturing process. I cleaned it off with a coat of car wax because window cleaner and such just didn't seem to get it off. I am using the less shiney side.
My plan was/is to cover the exterior of our tear in it, but I wanted a sheet to play with and had decided to try and do the interior ceiling with it. The polymax I used is 1/16 inch thick. It is thin enough to be translucent as you can see from the pics, and I realized not rigid enough to be a stand alone cover like aluminum would be.
I adjusted my plans and lined the front interior with luan in order to have a backing for the polymax and add some rigidity to the front of the tear. I didn't see the need in taking the luan all the way over the ceiling, as the polymax is rigid enough with the support of the fan and ceiling light.
While at work last week we were doing a modification on a helicopter and my sheetmetal guys were using a double stick tape made by 3M. I saw it and the light bulb went off. Use it on the Polymax! So, I put several strips of tape on the luan and on each of the spars. It held the polymax in place just great.
I have now decided to do the same on the exterior. I am building the Kuffel Creek Cubby and it only calls for aluminum on the exterior, but I will adjust and put luan on the outside covered with polymax. I think the double stick tape will hold it tight enough against the skin to keep it from being loose in the larger areas, kind of like using carpet adhesive with aluminum. Tape will stick to it just fine, it's just a lot easier to clean all the goo off if you need to. Duct tape will stick, it just lets go easier than other it would with other material. With the edge trim, doors and lights holding various areas down, I see no problems in applying it this way. I can't see a need that it will have to be permanetly "bonded/glued" anywhere. With the luan being the main exterior support, this is just a waterproof cover. I had thought about a row or two of screws with rubber washers, or even a screwed on decoration on the sides where the larger areas are to hold it tight, but I do not think it will be needed. I think a good caulk, even though it may not adhere to this like other material, will provide the seal to keep out the water.
Hope this is enlightening to many. My exterior skins should be here Monday or Tuesday, but tomorrow, I start painting the interior of the house, so........
Here's the pics.
http://tnttt.com/album_ ... er_id=1921
by Chris C » Sun Jan 29, 2006 3:05 pm 
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