reaffixing original interior panels

[solodon]

I'm attaching 1x4 firring strips so I can add over 2+ inches of iso-board insulation and reflective material.  I've planned to reuse the original .090 thick panels to the ceiling and walls.  I thought of using screws to attach the panels to the wood but the recent post about adhesives has me thinking I could use sikaflex or some other product as mentioned in the responses, and avoid having a bunch of holes to drill and screws to hold it up.  I hope to cover the metal in the future to hide the screw heads but I know me, that could be never  .  The panels aren't that heavy, and with a full length of adhesive I think I just might work.  Once these panels are installed there'll be no need for removal as all wiring will be in chases.  Am I being too hopeful that using adhesives will work.  Either liquid nails or a tape seem to be the best options.  Thanks, Don

[sparkplug188]

With the right adhesive, you can make it work.  Call the manufacturer of the adhesive you choose.  They will give be able to tell you if a particular product is right for your application.

Remember- anything glued will be destroyed or damaged if you need to remove it.  I can buy 1/4" utility plywood at any hardware store. 0.090 aluminum is quite a bit more expensive and harder to find.  It is your decision one way or the other.. I would think twice about gluing aluminum to wood.

[solodon]

Sparkplug, your caution about gluing aluminum to wood is in case of future removal, cost of replacement, or lack of hold?

[HB of CJ]

Will the reattached roof and wall panels ever be needed to be removed for future needs?  I for one am wondering if there is some way the aforementioned panels could be easily removed for inspection, moisture, additions, removals, remodeling, etc..  There are lots of ways of using screws that are removable plus look fairly pleasant.  Glue is kinda permanent.  Also if your decide to glue, are there lighter and less expensive panels than what you plan on using?  Just me.  HB of CJ (old coot)

[sparkplug188]

All of the above.  Future removal will be quite difficult and will likely destroy both the sheet of aluminum and the furring strips.  I can break up a sheet of 1/4" plywood by hand and scrape the studs with an oscillating saw.  That method won't work on aluminum.  You will have to rely on the sheer force of a pry bar to peel the aluminum off the studs.

Replacement cost will certainly be higher.  It will also be more difficult to find a replacement sheet-- most hardware stores don't stock 0.090" aluminum.  This probably isn't a "deal breaker" on its own, but it is something to consider.

Lack of hold may or may not be a problem.  Again, with the right adhesive you can make anything work.  I don't have the experience to tell you which adhesive will work- neither will a hardware store employee.  Nearly every tube on the shelf says it bonds to wood, metal, and plastics..., but very few of those products are actually capable of providing satisfactory results.  Your best bet is to talk to the adhesive manufacturers for product advice.

If I were in your shoes, I would probably glue the sheets in place with a very weak adhesive, like contact cement or generic acrylic caulk, to stop the squeaks and creaks of aluminum rubbing on wood.  Then, use screws to back up the adhesive.

One question- Are there already holes in the aluminum panels from the factory rivets or screws? If you went screwless, would those holes be exposed?

[solodon]

Thanks again for the response.  The ceiling panels do not have any holes.  Originally they are held in place with an adhesive tape as a thermal block (I think as it didn't have a lot of hold and is everywhere anything was attached), and a metal rail that was screwed to the main ribs.  This metal rail overlapped two adjacent panels.  Then a piece of trim snapped onto this metal rail. 

[sparkplug188]

I think weak adhesive plus the screwed on trim strips will be plenty strong enough to hold the panels in place.  Definitely avoid strong adhesives- they will just make removing the panels more of a hassle than it needs to be.

[solodon]

Thanks Sparkplug, the trim strips are long gone but your idea is a good one and alternate strips could be created.  I'll keep it in mind.  Again thanks, Don