Sikaflex - which one, and where?

[John Z]

I see mentioned in another thread the use of Sikaflex. I will be filling in some of the holes made for vents and roof airs etc on my coach, and want to use this adhesive. I see at their website that they have several different types. Which type of Sikaflex have you used with good results? Where did you purchase it? TIA

[H3Jim]

For roof vents and sealing I would use Dicor.  It seals permanently, if removed has to be cut off.  Once used to seal, it won't ever leak in that spot.  I bought mine from the distributor I bought my solar panels from.  He says he has used it for years with hundreds if not thousands of installations, and never had a failure.

I can say from personal experience, its very sticky - it really adheres to anything it touches.  And sems to retain a slight bit of flexibilty.  I ony needed several tubes to install my solar panels, but I bought a case of it for the rest of my roof holes, installations.  I paid $6.50 a tube (case price).  I am very pleased with it so far, and would not use anything else. It is made for sealing roof vents etc, so it has UV inhibitors in it.  Way better than slicone.  I liked it so much I have renewed confidence in cutting holes in the roof knowing I can seal them permanently.

I'm not sure where else to by it, but I believe any RV store would carry it.

[Jeremy]

I've used the marine-variants of Sikaflex, which are available through chandlers - but I expect there are lots of other sources too. If no-one near you seems to sell it then maybe speak to the company to find out if they have any local suppliers - if not there is always mail-order.

Jeremy

[Barn Owl]

UPS uses it seal trailer roofs. Works great. I have seen it here at our local Lowe's store.

[Sammy]

We used to buy it from Prevost in NJ.
There are many different types of Sikaflex.
Make sure you buy the right product for your application.
I have used 252,255,201 and 221 - some are adhesives to hold panels and glass to the bus, some are sealants only. Hope this might help you. Good luck with your project.
Sammy 

[John Z]

I found an email addr for Steve, a tech rep at Sikaflex. I wrote and told him what i wanted to do and asked him for his input. He emailed the following to me:

"Your best bet would be Sikaflex 252, along with Sika Cleaner 226 and Sika Primer 206G+P.  It will result in a permanent repair with no need for screws or rivets."

So now all i have to do is find a dealer for it. Piece'o'cake!

Thanks for your input.

[boogiethecat]

I agree Sikaflex 252 and the appropriate primer for skinning and attaching sheets permanently is the way to go. But it's VERY expensive.
If you use it be sure to put spacers in so the bead remains at .100" thick or so... any thinner and it won't cure properly.  I've used it to side my bluebird and also to skin a trailer and it's astounding stuff.  Get it from  international bus parts in Florida, 800-468-5287.  They keep in rotating stock, and it needs to be fresh.  Some other places try to sell you outdated or close to outdated stuff... it probably works ok but when it's holding the sides of my bus on in 75MPH freeway conditions, I want it to be right....
The adhesive and the primer are manditory, but you can forgo the cleaner if you first sand the area to be glued down to bare metal and then give it a wipedown with 99% isopropyl alcohol, avaliable cheap at a printing supplier or most big paper warehouses as "IPA99" for cleaning printing presses.

But for general purpose caulking, sealing holes & pop rivets, stopping leaks, etc, Sikaflex 1A from the building construction industry can't be beat.  It's flexible, cheap (only $2-3 per caulking tube on ebay) stick to everything, can be painted, and is my first choice for any caulking or adhesive that does NOT involve mechanical attachment of skins or body panels.  It cleans up remarkably well with naptha on a rag, or quite well too with "scrubs in a bucket"