Sikaflex attachment question

[gasman]

If the bonding qualities of Siak is that great, but expansion is a problem then why couldn't you not use spacers but just bond 1 inch every two or three inches. Kind of like riveting. The front of the windshield could be spaced because that is easy but the sides and over the back (tilt up) could be bonded without spacers and bonded 1inch for every two or three inches.

We need to do a test.............

[Airhead]

I believe Carl has a good point about the space requirement being mitigated by the fillet produced, especially when bonding to a round tube. It is very likely that the guidance given by the manufacturer of Sikaflex concerning a gap does not speak directly to bonding between a flat and a round surface, where a considerable thickness is achieved either side of the tangent point.

Even when using spacers, the spacer thickness will decrease to near zero as you get near the outboard end of each the front and rear bows because the offset at the weld point to the side bow accomodates only the plexi thickness. Having said that, I will likely set mine up using a 1/8" spacer, but if there is any need to, I am prepared to go as little as 1/16" (or less if the length of the minimal thickness is fairly short).