Hey Chad, On the Canopy....

Brantel · Post by **Brantel** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:50 am

Chad,

I also plan to Sikaflex my TU canopy on as well. Please take tons of pictures and give us lots of details on how you do this!!!!!

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:55 am

You bet I will bud! There are few sites out there with really good details on using Sikaflex on the T/U canopy. Rob Johnson has great details on how he did this on his slider on his site, and I plan to do the same for my tip up...it won't be until May or June, but I'll take a bunch of pics, and hopefully explain it well...as I learn as I go...

rob · Post by **rob** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:26 pm

You boys are gonna love working with Sikaflex -- VERY easy (if you think caulking a bathtub is easy). I freakin' love the look of a TU that has been attached with Sika...looks so streamlined and smooth. Almost makes me wish I did a TU (said the man who is now done with his slider). Chad will do an awesome job documenting, and I can help with general questions if you have them.

cnpeters · Post by **cnpeters** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 12:49 pm

What has been the longevity history using Sikaflex? As in, do we know what is the longest that an adhesive bonded canopy has been flying in the RV community? Any debonding incidents??

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:46 pm

Sika has been around for a long time, and is well proven for adhesion. In doing my research, the longest I've come across is 6 years, and the Sika is like new. There are other applications, I'm sure, that cover a longer period than 6 years, but as far as RV's go, that's what I found.

I talked to CJ about this a bit last night, and the only issue he knew of, was someone put a layer of 'glass over the Sika on the windscreen fairing, and the epoxy broke down the Sika's bond pretty bad.

Other than that, I think people are very pleased with the longevity of the product.

Brantel · Post by **Brantel** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:57 pm

I think Mike Stewart and his Super 8 have thoroughly tested the bond at high speed. Or at least speeds way higher than my plane will ever be subject to in normal use.

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 4:17 pm

I have been using Sika products in construction for years. Every time I use it consistently with it's labeling, it has never failed me.

The product we use for the canopies is the same one the military uses for Hummer windscreens. It is also (as you probably already know) used in marine environments as well with huge success.

I am looking forward to using it. I will probably still use mechanical fasteners along with the Sika, although the package says it is a structural adhesive.

CJ

JohnR · Post by **JohnR** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:24 pm

Sounds like everyone here is getting in on the Sika bandwagon.

Can someone sell me on the idea? Tell me what is better about using Sika instead of just following along and doing it the Van's way like a good sheeple.

I'm not trying to start anything here just want to be better informed so I can make the appropriate decision.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:18 pm

I'm doing it for two reasons-

One, No holes = no cracks.

Two, it just plain looks better.

Three, it fill gaps, and eliminates air leaks.

Four, it just plain looks better.

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 5:47 am

cjensen wrote:I'm doing it for two reasons-

One, No holes = no cracks.

Two, it just plain looks better.

Three, it fill gaps, and eliminates air leaks.

Four, it just plain looks better.

Cool!

Soooo Chad, which two of those four reasons are the two that you are doing it for?

CJ

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:24 am

captain_john wrote:
Soooo Chad, which two of those four reasons are the two that you are doing it for?

CJ

I'm doing it because it's easier.

cnpeters · Post by **cnpeters** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:57 am

cjensen wrote:I'm doing it for two reasons-

One, No holes = no cracks.

Two, it just plain looks better.

Three, it fill gaps, and eliminates air leaks.

Four, it just plain looks better.

Wind and rain protection will be high on my priority list. Gotta love having you ahead of me on your project and living nearby. You pave the way, baby. I'll watch and learn while sipping a cold one

.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:54 am

cnpeters wrote:Gotta love having you ahead of me on your project and living nearby. You pave the way, baby. I'll watch and learn while sipping a cold one .

Glad to help for now...this will only last until I need an engine bud!

It is SOOO nice to have several builder friends close by!