Best way to fix Sail Track

Vulcanick51 · Member

Best way to fix Sail Track

Kebbin · Guru

You might be better off going with tri fold rivets also called load spreading rivets.

aerobolt.com.au/products/rivets/tri-fold-rivet

Ge · Senior Member

Best advice go see a caravan repair shop

madaboutled · Guru

Drilling any holes into the fibreglass can cause leaks if not properly sealed. Sica Flex might be an option but it's messy, another option could be to use a very high bond (VHB) double sided outdoor tape like 3M VHB Tape 4941.

I've used this stuff myself in signwriting to hold metal sheeting to frames, it's great stuff, if you try to pull the sheets off with force it just bends in resistance. Removal requires cutting the foam bond which can be done with fishing line.

Some Info here: https://embossingtapesupplies.com.au/blog/cat/tape-solutions/post/buy-3M-red-double-sided-VHB-tape/

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

3mm of Sikaflex 11FC on its own will be fine.

Do NOT be tempted to add a few rivets or screws otherwise when the sail track expands at a greater rate than the roof in hot weather, it will either buckle or tear out the rivets or screws.
Position it using small pads of double sided foam tape 3 mm thick to control the glue thickness and to hold the sail track in position until the Sikaflex goes off.

Cheers,
Peter

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Tuesday 27th of February 2018 10:35:35 PM

daffyfrancis · Senior Member

Hi,

I believe the aluminium ferry builders such as "Incat" successfully use Sika type products for a wide variety of fitting applications.

David

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

The body of our OKA (in our avatar) is built completely with Sikaflex 252 and Sikaflex 11FC.
There are no nuts, bolts, screws or rivets holding that body together, just Sikaflex and the body is now 13 years old.

Cheers,
Peter

Vulcanick51 · Member

Hi All, thanks all the replies. Thinking I might try mixture of the VHB Tape and Sika Flex.
Do you think that either / or would hold when wind is blowing the tarp around?
Thanks again..first time I've been on the site and I'm impressed.

Cheers
Nick

Vulcanick51 · Member

Wow! I find that amazing....I've heard plenty of stories about Sika adhesives but didn't realise that they were that strong.

Thanks for your post

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Either VHB or Sikaflex, not a mixture.
Whichever you use, follow the instructions TO THE LETTER.
Surface preparation is absolutely critical.

Cheers,
Peter

Dick0 · Guru

Check out Sikaflex 221 for fibreglass surface adhesion.

Ron-D · Guru

Thinking about putting a shade cloth on the opposite side of the van to shade the fridge,the vans aluminium,so from what I can gather here , sickaflex adhesive would be all thats required no screws at all ,just double sided tape to hold it in position while the adhesive sets,

mullpadd · Veteran Member

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
3mm of Sikaflex 11FC on its own will be fine.
Do NOT be tempted to add a few rivets or screws otherwise when the sail track expands at a greater rate than the roof in hot weather, it will either buckle or tear out the rivets or screws.
Position it using small pads of double sided foam tape 3 mm thick to control the glue thickness and to hold the sail track in position until the Sikaflex goes off.

Cheers,
Peter

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Tuesday 27th of February 2018 10:35:35 PM

Hi Peter, I am unsure about the 3mm measurement. Are you saying that after fixing the sail track it should be sitting 3mm off the van panels. It does seem like a lot. You would have to load up the sikaflex a fair bit to have that 3mm after pressing in the track. Can you elaborate on why the 3mm? Cheers Tony