Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Awhile back, someone had a post about how to glue the aluminum to the plywood sides on a teardrop. I believe they mentioned something about a (Henry's) type of adhesive. I know Henry makes roof sealants but is this strictly an adhesive? Thanks, Rod

I don't remember "Henry's" but there was some discussion about PL adhesives. This is what I used and it seems to be holding up well over the past 5 years.
http://www.simplicityboats.com/pl_premium.htm

I used Henry's. It's outdoor carpet adhesive.

I used Roberts 6700 Indoor/Outdoor carpet adheseive...works around swimming pools...took 1 gallon to cover the top and hatch on a 4'6" x 10'...my Home Depot doesn't have Henry's....Doug

Buy lots of clamps. It took about a week to cure.

I used PL Premium (black tube). i used it on the sides and top. spread it on the aluminum with small notched trowel, let it sit for a few minutes, misted it with water and slapped the side on and clamped it. i left it for a day at the most and then started cutting out the profile and doors. it never budged even with all of the pushing and pulling. it has lasted a year of -40C to +40C and is still holding great. i'm pretty confident it will never let go.



later

Marc

Darn, we didn't use anything at all and it is still "holding"...there is always more than one way to skin a cat (and a TD)
madjack

Has anyone thought of using Vinyl Tile Adhesive? I just laid a kitchen floor using Tarkett 800. Its a thick white liquid that you trowel on and then wait till it gets clear and VERY tacky. I think it would work well putting al on a tear.

Just a funny moment.. as I was working on the floor, our cat started to walk across and got stuck.. The stuff's like flypaper, I had to help him off.Kind of funny watching him walk around for the next little while with his feet sticking every time he took a step.

Micro469 wrote:Kind of funny watching him walk around for the next little while with his feet sticking every time he took a step.

I'd like to hear what that sounded like!!

madjack wrote:Darn, we didn't use anything at all and it is still "holding"...there is always more than one way to skin a cat (and a TD)
madjack

MJ,
Am I reading this right--you don't use any adhesive to attach the aluminum? Does this mean your attachment is the stapling around the perimeter/doors and the trim attachment? I would love to hear this. I am getting close to putting on the aluminum, and I am really tired of anything that is either goopy or sticky!

Tony, that is correct....there is nothing at all holding the roof on except the edge trim...the sides we tacked a few staples around the edges to hold in place untill the door jambs, top trim and fendersand bottom edge trim were installed to hold it in place...we used to many staples...a half dozen per side (or just 2r3) would have been enough...experimented with a couple of different caulkings/adhesive/sealers on the trim...found that we like the auto windsheild sealant the best...may try Sikaflex225 on the trim next time...
madjack

Well, that will certainly give me something to think about until I start putting the al on. It would certainly make repair or replacement easier down the road. Thank you.

MJ,

Put my roof panel on dry this weekend with temporary screws to hold it in place.

It was a chore just getting it to fit and lay flat (working by myself), but I wouldn't have wanted to try to do it with any type of adhesive. I'll do the same on the sides while I figure out the trim and sealer. I might look for windshield adhesive since I haven't located a connection for Sikaflex yet. Thaks for the advice. I'm glad I tried it your way.

Tony, the auto windshield adhesive is available thru auto paint suppliers and the SikaFlex can be found at www.austinhardware.com (along with lots of other stuff) click on products>>other fine hardware>>adhesives. They have 221, which comes in black/white/grey and is rated as a sealer and 252, which comes in black/white and is rated as a sealer/adhesive...
madjack