glue for installing siding?

[ttomas]

 I raised the roof of my MCI9 and have decided to install fiberglass sides. What would be a good glue to use. I will use rivets also. thanks Tomas

[TomCat]

I used SikaFlex to attach the 20ga steel to the sides of my Thomas. Works very well.

Jay
87 SaftLiner

[Connel]

Tomas,
This website might offer you some information.  Has been used by many on this board.  They also have a #221 that is used by some.  Have not personally used it but will be doing so in the next couple of months.

Connel

http://www.sikaindustry.com/ind/ipd-transoem-body

[prevost82]

I used SikaFlex to glue my fiberglass sides on the bus.
Ron

[Cary and Don]

We will be doing this soon.  My question is, do you need to do the rivits also?  And how many and where did you put them. There is something about using just glue that makes me a little nervous.

Don and Cary
GMC4107
Neoplan AN340

[Dreamscape]

If it were me, I would use rivets along the top, just under the drip rail. Also midstream above the aluminum, most is covered up there by a piece of molding.

Good Luck and Happy Trails,

Paul

Dreamscape

[H3Jim]

and make sure you clean the surfaces per sikaflex specs.  for example lacquer thinner will leave a film thatwill cause the adhesive not to stick.

[tekebird]

if I were doing the job I would use 3m 5200

it's a marine grade adheasive and will almost certainly never fail.....your metal next to it will likely fail first.

[prevost82]

I put rivets on the top and bottom about every 4"

[JohnEd]

I saw a bus where the owner used silkaflex and rivets.  The metal was ever-so-slightly bulged out between the rivets that were spaced 4 inches apart.  It looked odd and a little homemade.  The silkaflex is strong enuf to not need thye rivets but how are you going to keep it clamped?  I don't know what caused the bulging but I think he used a large bead of cement and a smaller one was called for.  Don't know though.

John

[ttomas]

I've done one side and it really worked well. I used 3M 8609.I only put rivets on the top and bottom of the siding. (one 35' piece of fiberglass) I was advised to use it by a supplier and another long time bodyman. I tests ed it first and have since used it for various other applications. It is costly, but forms a permanent bond. The materials bonded are the weaker link. Tomas

[Sammy]

Sika makes many types of adhesives and sealants. I have used it on transit buses and MCI's too.
Make sure you use the right product for your application. The website is in a previous post.
It's awesome stuff.
Good luck. 

[ArtGill]

I had good luck using Sika. I installed 1/8 inch alum with no fasteners.  To apply pressure, I parked my coach next to a building and used 2 x 4's to wedge between the building and the panel.  I also used small plastic spacers that are used in ceramic tile to keep the bead from being compressed too much.  It has been five years and no problems.

Art

[jjrbus]

Good point Art. When useing adhesives like Sika, 3M ect. it is necessary to not squeeze out all the adhesive. Contact manufacturer to find out how thick adhesive should be for maximum strength. Not how thick it should be applied, but how thick it should be for maximum bond.
Buck riviting something that has adhesive applied squeezes out the adhesive! Why put something on and then sqeeze it all out?

[DrivingMissLazy]

Someone on the board bought several thousand little plastic washers to use as spacers. Last I heard he still had a lot left, Maybe sold them by now. Think he was in Colorado, but can not remember his name now. Oh well, getting old.
Richard

Good point Art. When useing adhesives like Sika, 3M ect. it is necessary to not squeeze out all the adhesive. Contact manufacturer to find out how thick adhesive should be for maximum strength. Not how thick it should be applied, but how thick it should be for maximum bond.
Buck riviting something that has adhesive applied squeezes out the adhesive! Why put something on and then sqeeze it all out?