| Author | Message | ||
| MC - Iv (24.83.235.106) Rating: N/A |
Has anyone used PL Lap and joint compound from H.D.? How does it compare to Sikaflex? (sp). PL is easy to find and reasonably priced. Sikaflex is hard to find and expensive. I wanted a sealant/adhesive to use when skinning my bus. I wouldn't want to use an inferior product. Anyone used a product which stands the test of time? Thanks, Iv. | ||
| TWO DOGS (63.185.72.195) Rating: N/A |
I used it for my windows..works great !! also used 800 steel pop rivits....was a full days job for two hard workers...ONLY thing bad about it..it stains your hands...for about a week... | ||
| TWO DOGS (63.185.72.195) Rating: N/A |
what I used was called "PL premium construction adhesive" | ||
| Bob (Bobb) (216.95.96.70)
Rating: N/A |
When I was at the same point, I contacted PL. They stated they had no equivilant for Sikaflex 221 or 252, and would not give any advice on using their product for skinning a bus. Sikaflex is not hard to find.. I see that you are on Shaw, so you must be in Canada. Cascade Aqua Tech in Burnaby or Penticton will glady send you what you need by bus. At a reasonable price too. http://www.cascadeaqua.com/ There are other products that might work as well, such as double side tape by 3M. | ||
| Ron Leiferman (Ron_In_Sd) (12.111.217.5)
Rating: N/A |
Teh 3M VHB (Very High Bond) Tape is used in most smooth side trailers and also by Boeing for airplane wings. It is about 1/16 to 1/8 inch thick double sided tape. You have to clean both surfaces with a special cleaner for it to work correctly. I have seen it used to hold plywood and a metal sheet togeather and the plywood gave out before the the did. Ron Leiferman Sioux Falls, SD | ||
| CoryDane RTSII (66.155.188.236) Rating: N/A |
I used the PL and have had no complaints. Sikaflex has a shelf life and that life is DRAMATICALLY REDUCED once you open it. It also requres a cleaner, and that also evaporates even in a reclosed container It is'nt as easy to use as you might like for all the money (expensive) you will spend on it. I am told once sikaflex is used, you dont have much time to place the item being glued. A plus for some applications, minus for others. There have been some reports from some users, maybe some are out there reading this, that have applied Sikaflex and it blew off later on the road. Responses were that the metal has to be really clean when you use sikaflex and it cant be too old on the shelf. It seems to be a particularly trouble prone product by reports I have read. Hopefully someone else that has used it can give additional information about it for you to decide. "Imagine" cd | ||
| Jerry Campbell (69.59.209.86)
Rating: N/A |
I have used sika flex on many different materials, wood, foam and different metals. It is amazing stuff. I built a 48 ft. X 4 ft. dragon boat using only sika flex and stainless staples to hold the wood together. It's still out there somewhere after 10 years. I have tried to take sheet metal off after glueing it on with very little sika flex. I'll never do that again. 3M double sided tape was used to build a chip trailer ( a topless aluminum semi trailer used to haul wood chips to the paper mill ). No other fasteners were used and it's still being used I understand. Unlike sika flex, the 3M tape once applied cannot be moved period. For strength and flexability you can't beat sika flex. My experienced opinion. Jerry Campbell | ||
| R.C.Bishop (128.123.221.156)
Rating: N/A |
See rhe archives re SikaFlex.....plenty there.  RCB '64 Crown Supercoach (HWC) | ||
| James Maxwell (Jmaxwell) (66.81.54.244)
Rating: N/A |
I have used PL brand, both Adhesive and Caulking, for many years and never a complaint from me. I have also used SikaFlex and my chief complaint about it is price followed closely by short working life. Also, not widely available. I personally think that both have about equal adhesive value but PL cleans up much easier. | ||
| James Maxwell (Jmaxwell) (66.81.54.244)
Rating: N/A |
TD: Discovered this by accident: DOT 3 brake fluid will remove it from your hands. | ||
| R.C.Bishop (128.123.221.205)
Rating: N/A |
I agree with JMaxwell. The up side of SikaFlex is that you DO have a short working time (20 minutes, as I recall) and that is a plus for something that is in a vertical plane.....if it is not so large that it cannot be put in place, timely, by whoever is available for help. I learned very quickly to rivet a corner or two as I was installing large pieces. Shelf life also affects the use of SikaFlex. If it is appoaching the expiration date, it is harder to dispense from the gun and that, of course, slows down application progress,..use a GOOD gun!!!...which, in turn, means the working time is getting shorter as you slowly progress with the dispensing. In other words, it takes very careful planning and quick assembly once the cartridge is opened. A great product if you follow directions which Sika USA... 1-888-832-7452...Steve Padgett.... will be happy to furnish on request. BTW, it also cleans up with mineral spirits...in it's fresh state. FWIW RCB '64 Crown Supercoach (HWC) | ||
| Arthur J Griffith (209.192.109.69)
Rating: N/A |
The Sika-Flex is great stuff. But like anything else you must follow the directions to the T. I have been using it on my window panels (no rivets) and my new siding with about 90% fewer rivets. One thing that I did notice about the sika is that it seems to thicken in the cooler temp. It does thin some if you warm it up before you use it. I bought me a phumatic caulking gun from Northern Tool and worked great for applying the sika. Maybe my right arm will return back to normal size. |