My Trailer Build
- Thread starter Patd4u2
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Patd4u2
Well-known member
IGBT said:Thanks for the nice compliments
One other thing we did which you may or may not want to bother doing. Sika recommended a thickness of about 1/16" or so on the cured 252. To ensure we maintained this and also to make sure there was no aluminum to steel contact (to prevent galvanic action) we cut up nylon tie wraps into little 1/2" long sections and pressed them into the applied Sika on the steel before sticking the aluminum skin to it. Very cheap, since tie wraps are like 100 for a buck at Lowes. They also happen to be about 1/16" thick.
If you use c-clamps instead of magnets in places where that will work (we did this) like on edges, try using long strips of wood under the c-clamps to spread the pressure over the joint so you don't squeeze out all of the Sika in one spot. Essentially you make a really big low pressure clamp by having the surface area of the wood (we had a bunch of 1"x2" strips by 4 feet long and we used about 3 c-clamps per strip.
I did a lot of searching and found a supplier that had the best price, I ordered five tubes of the Sikaflex 252 at $7.50 a tube (Amazon $17.50 prime)
and a bottle of the Sika Primer 210 at $47.50.
The lady told me that the $7.50 a tube of the 252 was because of the expiration date of 20 Apr and that is usually around $12 but we are planning to order the aluminum sheet metal at the end of this month and get it installed so it is not an issue, so I saved a little money.
Thank you again about telling me about the Sikaflex 252 and Primer 210,
FIVE tubes? We used about two CASES (24 tubes per case) on the living pod and maybe a case and a half on the garage pod. Admittedly we did put it on a bit thick and had to smear it into the joint on the inside with a gloved finger where it squeezed out. You could maybe go quite a bit more sparingly if you are using full sheets of aluminum per side instead of the fish scale overlap of small sheets like we did. I would still have at least 10 tubes on hand as they are the cheap part of this build.
One other thing you are going to probably want but won't realize it until you get through about 1/5 of the first tube is a pneumatic caulk gun. The Sika 252 is rather viscous and a real pain to squeeze out with a hand caulk gun (unless you are doing it in Arizona in 100 degree weather...heat makes it come out much faster). I bought a nice one on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/63001-10-3-Ou...&qid=1458400665&sr=8-7&keywords=cox+caulk+gun
http://www.amazon.com/63001-10-3-Ou...&qid=1458400665&sr=8-7&keywords=cox+caulk+gun
If you really only need 5 tubes for your project maybe you can just use a good manual caulk gun and Advil.
By the way, I bought my Sika from Merritt Marine Supply in Florida (shipped to WA state). They ship promptly with decent date codes and it is $9.62 a tube there (yours was cheaper).
Remember to sand the metal a bit (scuff it up at least with scotch bright) then clean it with acetone or methanol before applying the 210 primer. Keep any dust or dirt off the 210 primer after you apply it (ie don't wait a week after the 210 primer before you apply the 252).
The sika will take longer to cure in a dry environment. Here in wet WA state it cured in about 24 hours and we clamped it for about 4 to 8 hours with the magnets and c-clamps before moving to the next piece.
You will get the Sika on you, so wear old throwaway clothes. Don't get it in your hair unless you like a military crew cut. Try not to get it on bare skin as it does have nasty chemicals in it. Apply it in a well ventilated area or use some sort of chemical filter mask if you have to be in a small enclosed space.
One other thing you are going to probably want but won't realize it until you get through about 1/5 of the first tube is a pneumatic caulk gun. The Sika 252 is rather viscous and a real pain to squeeze out with a hand caulk gun (unless you are doing it in Arizona in 100 degree weather...heat makes it come out much faster). I bought a nice one on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/63001-10-3-Ou...&qid=1458400665&sr=8-7&keywords=cox+caulk+gun
http://www.amazon.com/63001-10-3-Ou...&qid=1458400665&sr=8-7&keywords=cox+caulk+gun
If you really only need 5 tubes for your project maybe you can just use a good manual caulk gun and Advil.
By the way, I bought my Sika from Merritt Marine Supply in Florida (shipped to WA state). They ship promptly with decent date codes and it is $9.62 a tube there (yours was cheaper).
Remember to sand the metal a bit (scuff it up at least with scotch bright) then clean it with acetone or methanol before applying the 210 primer. Keep any dust or dirt off the 210 primer after you apply it (ie don't wait a week after the 210 primer before you apply the 252).
The sika will take longer to cure in a dry environment. Here in wet WA state it cured in about 24 hours and we clamped it for about 4 to 8 hours with the magnets and c-clamps before moving to the next piece.
You will get the Sika on you, so wear old throwaway clothes. Don't get it in your hair unless you like a military crew cut. Try not to get it on bare skin as it does have nasty chemicals in it. Apply it in a well ventilated area or use some sort of chemical filter mask if you have to be in a small enclosed space.
Patd4u2
Well-known member
24 cases? wow, We are just going to do the left and right sides first, the sides are 12 x 5. We'll see how far the adhesive goes on the first side and either stop there or install the other side. Hmmm, maybe it might be a good idea to test it out with the inner wheel wells or on the front of the trailer first, give us an idea how much more we will need.
I am in inland Southern Cal, it get pretty hot here too in the day, but unlike AZ it cools off in the evening.
Thanks for the instructions I really appreciate you taking the time to explain how to prep and apply the adhesive, and advice on the caulk gun and the link. I think I'll get that pneumatic gun for my son-in-law.
All my cloths that I wear are throw away..lol I have the same T shirts that I bought around 4 years ago at walmart that I wear. I wear them until the holes get to big...
And no thank you with the military crew cut, I did that for 23 years. Whats left of my hair is in a pony tail. so I will most definitely take your advice and protect it...lol
Thank you again
Your help is very much appreciated.
I am in inland Southern Cal, it get pretty hot here too in the day, but unlike AZ it cools off in the evening.
Thanks for the instructions I really appreciate you taking the time to explain how to prep and apply the adhesive, and advice on the caulk gun and the link. I think I'll get that pneumatic gun for my son-in-law.
All my cloths that I wear are throw away..lol I have the same T shirts that I bought around 4 years ago at walmart that I wear. I wear them until the holes get to big...
And no thank you with the military crew cut, I did that for 23 years. Whats left of my hair is in a pony tail. so I will most definitely take your advice and protect it...lol
Thank you again
Your help is very much appreciated.
