Installing fan with no screws

[grandpa pete]

After reviewing all the videos on installing a new Max Fan I decided I didn't want or need to put screws into the fiberglass roof on my 2001 ford conversion van .
I glued the fan to the roof with LEXAL clear sealant . I have NO white sealer mess on my red roof .
I waited to make shure this wouldn't leak .
After the 110 mph winds from the recent Florida hurricane I can tell you it doesn't leak .
In a recent video " into the mystery 13 " glued his solar panel without screws onto his metal roof .

 

[frater secessus]

That would work best with a maxxfan-style assembly where the fan part drops into the permanent mount. Dunno about other fan manufacturers.

 

[UptownSport]

Good work! you shouldn't argue w/ success, but someone will, LoL

heard Ford glues cab together on new F150, or, aka  'Structural Adhesive Beads'

I guess it's all how you phrase stuff

 

[BinDerSmokDat]

Thanks for the info and very timely.
The first RV component I plan to add to my van is a MaxxFan.
To be clear (pun intended) you used Lexel in the clear tube right?
I saw one pic where they show 24 screws included for installation!
I know that two of those screws are for holding the remote cradle and I believe 4 are for the interior trim ring and don't perforate the sheet metal, but one installation pic shows 16 screws externally holding the fan to the roof! That is a lot of holes.

I have seen some pretty amazing adhesives and I might give an all-adhesive installation a try.
Worst case scenario, it doesn't work and I add screws.
Maybe I use only a couple of screws and reduce the number of holes.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

heard Ford glues cab together on new F150, or, aka  'Structural Adhesive Beads'

With all adhesives there are three things you must do:

1. Follow the instructions EXACTLY, including what materials the adhesive works with, cleaning of the surfaces and temperature range to use the adhesive in.
2. Make sure the surfaces you are bonding to are themselves well bonded.  Bonding to a painted surface is only as good as the paint's bond to the sub-surface.
3. If the adhesive you use is not UV protected and used in sunlight, cover it with something that is UV opaque.

One of the jobs I had at 3M was to test the adhesives we sold to Ford to failure.  Amazing stuff it used correctly.  I would usually tear the material apart before the bond would break.

The bridge over the St. Croix in Stillwater, MN is being glued together.

 

[BinDerSmokDat]

Just was looking at the technical specs for MaxxFan and Lexel.

MaxxFan says "DO NOT use materials containing solvents such as or similar to Xylene, Toluene, Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Acetate or Acetone as they can damage the flange."

The Lexel MSDS says it contains...

Solvent naphtha (petroleum) 15-40% by weight.
Toluene 7-13% by weight.

Maxxfan doesn't say what the flange is made of. 
But Lexel states it is compatible with ABS, Vinyl, Nylon, Fiberglass, PVC, Acrylic Sheet, Lexan, Plexiglass, Polycarbonate.
Lexel will not adhere to or is incompatible with Aquaseal, Kynar, Teflon, polypropylene, polyethylene, silicone, and waxes.

Just thought everyone should be aware.

:s

 

[grandpa pete]

Thanks for the info and very timely.
The first RV component I plan to add to my van is a MaxxFan.
To be clear (pun intended) you used Lexel in the clear tube right?
I saw one pic where they show 24 screws included for installation!
I know that two of those screws are for holding the remote cradle and I believe 4 are for the interior trim ring and don't perforate the sheet metal, but one installation pic shows 16 screws externally holding the fan to the roof! That is a lot of holes.

I have seen some pretty amazing adhesives and I might give an all-adhesive installation a try.
Worst case scenario, it doesn't work and I add screws.
Maybe I use only a couple of screws and reduce the number of holes.

Yes ; clear tube .