Month or so ago I asked for advice on fixing a sail track to the fibreglass roof of my Transit van. I ended up using Sikaflex 11FC and it worked fantastically well. Second night of use we had downpour of rain and a large amount of water pooled in the tarp, but the track didn't budge. Thanks to everyone who gave me advice, it was all very much appreciated.
Aus-Kiwi said
09:14 PM Mar 30, 2018
Thanks for reporting back . One thing . It can be a fuse to break away if things go terribly wrong ., ?
Aus-Kiwi said
09:17 PM Mar 30, 2018
Oops ours has a big strip of valcro . All good .
Dougwe said
10:25 AM Mar 31, 2018
Somwhere along the line I have missed your arrival here on the forum so, welcome to the gang, enjoy here and out in the playground.
Well done Nick and thanks for getting back to the forum to let us know the outcome. Many, many times someone joins up, asks a question, then never seen again.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Desert Dweller said
08:28 AM Apr 1, 2018
Sikaflex is a great product, one thing to watch for though is that it goes hard in an unopened tube if kept for over 12 months.
We thought that we'd carry a tube in our emergency ''box of tricks''. Bought it from Bunnings, never opened it, went solid as a rock 12 months later.
Tried again, the same thing happened.
Dougwe said
08:34 AM Apr 1, 2018
I keep silicone and sikaflex in fridge, even when opened. Still as new many moons later.
Desert Dweller said
01:04 PM Apr 1, 2018
Dougwe wrote:
I keep silicone and sikaflex in fridge, even when opened. Still as new many moons later.
That must be the key to keeping it in good condition Dougwe. With only a 90ltr fridge in our caravan there would be no room for a tube of Sikaflex.
Vulcanick51 said
03:59 PM Apr 1, 2018
I had less than 1/2 tube left and nothing else to stick, so it went in the bin
Ron-D said
10:33 PM Apr 1, 2018
With sealant silicon,just leave the nozzle on whats left,and when you want to use it ,screw a new unused nozzle on the bottle the old stuff only dries in the nonzzle ,and whats left in the tube is still good...
IAN zzz said
09:51 PM Apr 4, 2018
Ron-D
You've stolen my thunder !!! :) :) :)
I've been doing that for many, many years ... perfect solution
Stay safe
EllieE said
08:41 PM Jun 4, 2022
Hi everyone. I've read through this thread and have a similar question, but the surface I want to attach the sail track to is different. It's the painted metal area above the sliding door of my Toyota Hiace. If the same method will work, how should I prepare the surface? Thanks in advance!
EllieE said
08:44 PM Jun 4, 2022
Please assume I know nothing and am not very practically minded.
Buzz Lightbulb said
11:43 AM Jun 5, 2022
Ron-D wrote:
With sealant silicon,just leave the nozzle on whats left,and when you want to use it ,screw a new unused nozzle on the bottle the old stuff only dries in the nonzzle ,and whats left in the tube is still good...
I unscrew the nozzle, put some cling wrap over the end of the tube and carefully screw on the nozzle again to seal the cling wrap. It's kept the contents usable for many months.
Bobdown said
01:26 PM Jun 5, 2022
EllieE wrote:
Hi everyone. I've read through this thread and have a similar question, but the surface I want to attach the sail track to is different. It's the painted metal area above the sliding door of my Toyota Hiace. If the same method will work, how should I prepare the surface? Thanks in advance!
Maybe it will work, but with some sort of rivet at the ends and in the middle as backup. Are you planning on installing a full rollout awning or just a removeable sail shade?
Maybe the big green shed might have some advice or Mr Google. Good luck.
Cheers Bob
EllieE said
08:47 PM Jul 2, 2022
Thanks Rob. Sorry for being tardy. I went ahead with this, actually a couple of fellas generously did it for me. As it turns out, they did as you suggested - sikaflex plus 3 rivets (maybe more but I think it's 3 without looking). It's for adding an Oztent RV3 connector. I initially thought it would add strength in strong winds, but these fellas advised against having it set up in strong winds. It will essentially just prevent rain from coming in between the van and the tent.
Hi All,
Month or so ago I asked for advice on fixing a sail track to the fibreglass roof of my Transit van. I ended up using Sikaflex 11FC and it worked fantastically well. Second night of use we had downpour of rain and a large amount of water pooled in the tarp, but the track didn't budge. Thanks to everyone who gave me advice, it was all very much appreciated.
Somwhere along the line I have missed your arrival here on the forum so, welcome to the gang, enjoy here and out in the playground.
Well done Nick and thanks for getting back to the forum to let us know the outcome. Many, many times someone joins up, asks a question, then never seen again.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
We thought that we'd carry a tube in our emergency ''box of tricks''. Bought it from Bunnings, never opened it, went solid as a rock 12 months later.
Tried again, the same thing happened.
That must be the key to keeping it in good condition Dougwe. With only a 90ltr fridge in our caravan there would be no room for a tube of Sikaflex.
I had less than 1/2 tube left and nothing else to stick, so it went in the bin
With sealant silicon,just leave the nozzle on whats left,and when you want to use it ,screw a new unused nozzle on the bottle the old stuff only dries in the nonzzle ,and whats left in the tube is still good...
You've stolen my thunder !!! :) :) :)
I've been doing that for many, many years ... perfect solution
Stay safe
Hi everyone. I've read through this thread and have a similar question, but the surface I want to attach the sail track to is different. It's the painted metal area above the sliding door of my Toyota Hiace. If the same method will work, how should I prepare the surface? Thanks in advance!
Please assume I know nothing and am not very practically minded.
I unscrew the nozzle, put some cling wrap over the end of the tube and carefully screw on the nozzle again to seal the cling wrap. It's kept the contents usable for many months.
Maybe it will work, but with some sort of rivet at the ends and in the middle as backup. Are you planning on installing a full rollout awning or just a removeable sail shade?
Maybe the big green shed might have some advice or Mr Google. Good luck.
Cheers Bob
Thanks Rob. Sorry for being tardy. I went ahead with this, actually a couple of fellas generously did it for me. As it turns out, they did as you suggested - sikaflex plus 3 rivets (maybe more but I think it's 3 without looking). It's for adding an Oztent RV3 connector. I initially thought it would add strength in strong winds, but these fellas advised against having it set up in strong winds. It will essentially just prevent rain from coming in between the van and the tent.
Regards, Ellen