karlpe
I was wondering if it,s ok to use a self tapper in fibre glass roof.
Thanks
Thanks
Alf
in my opinion no think of the leaks you may get cannot you not glue whatever you are fixing.
An idea of what you are doing would help
Alf
P.S. your conversion is a credit to you
An idea of what you are doing would help
Alf
P.S. your conversion is a credit to you
Last edited by a moderator:
trevskoda
Forum Member
You would be better using wallboard shelf fixing screws if you look in diy store there the ones that have a scissor fold action at the back as it will give a bigger foot print under roof.
karlpe
Thanks Alf for reply and kind coment about my van. The reason I ask is im putting solar panel on the roof and wanted to put a cpl screws in as a bit of a back up for the glue.
Thanks Trevskoda , useful info from you again.
Thanks Trevskoda , useful info from you again.
channa
,No need, people seem to have their chosen adhesive sikaflex, tigerseal .when this stuff sets it aint going anywhere
Channa
Deleted member 2572
Our 250 watt panel is only fixed with sikaflex to a fibreglass roof.
I did clean the mounting positions with a solvent cleaner first.
I did clean the mounting positions with a solvent cleaner first.
shortcircuit
Use Sikaflex and place cocktail sticks across the bed and press solar panel down. The sticks act as spacers and ensures that the joint is thick enough and not to thin.
n brown
Forum Member
first, yes it's ok to use self tappers in fibreglass, but it's not much of a fix compared to metal
secondly,because of the cost of sikaflex, a lot of people are using 'Stixall' from Toolstation for fixing solar panels
of course, you have to remember you're sticking to paint, so if that's not in good nick........... !
secondly,because of the cost of sikaflex, a lot of people are using 'Stixall' from Toolstation for fixing solar panels
of course, you have to remember you're sticking to paint, so if that's not in good nick........... !
Polar Bear
Forum Member
Hi Trev.
I've always found them to be a pig to get started.
If the OP wants to use screws so he can get it off at a later date then maybe 10 x M4 Steel Pan Head Slotted Screws With Rubber Expandable Raw Plug [C12] | eBay
would work. we've used these a lot.
mandrake
think i would use a good adhesive as is recomended .worst thing you could do is introduce holes into the roof . also after a while i am shure the screws would tend to work loose and tend to leak apart from lowering the security of the solar panel
Tony Lee
Good idea to use spacers because many people think thiñner the better with these sort of adhesive joints, but the spacer needs to have similar properties to the cured adhesive, or be removed once the adhesive has set. I use thin strips of inner tube and if some is left sticking out it can easily be removed by stretching it.
On fibreglàss roof. Place the panel with brackets attached in position and mark where the brackets are on the roof. Clean that area with acetone and then use fine sandpaper to roughen just that area, then wash with acetone again.
Place spacers in position, apply enough adhesive to give at least 3mm thickness and then lower the whole panel into position.
If you are a stickler for neat and tidy, mask around the footprint with electrical tape and then just peel the tape away taking the excess adhesive with it.
I've used sikaflex or equivalent on 300W panels and after literally thousands of km of corrugations they are still in place
Last edited by a moderator:
karlpe
Thanks for replies everyone, much appreciated as well as useful.
trevskoda
Forum Member
True though i would still use fixal or sicaflex to seal and stop screws vibing out,also they should be stainless steel.
badgerdid
If it was me id use small nut and bolts with penny washers each side, providing of course you can get to the underside, and sikaflex to cover the bolts and stick it down with too. The bolts would just be for added security as sikaflex should hold it on its own.
Alf
Great care needs to be taken on drilling GRP and using self trappers and nuts and bolts of any description the slightest mistake or overtightning can lead to the cracking of the GRP or gell coat once damaged its a devil to repair and cracks unchecked leads to damp problems.
Alf
Alf
Last edited by a moderator:
rugbyken
Forum Member
When I purchased my first van on initial viewing there was a roof box that wasn't there at pickup the dealer said it belonged to the original owner who had collected it never gave fixings a thought till the rain came in 6 holes where it had been fixed down , I pumped mastic in seemed fine the leak returned with a vengeance two years later and I had to renew a roof strut the roof in this case was aluminium I sealed it with a 3" strip of upvc bonded to the metal held for another 6 years,
yeoblade
Umm, what did you use to fix that down with then, that cheap Stixall from Toolstation ? :idea-007: