Sikaflex...my canopy is cursed

ColoRv · #1 03-17-2013, 04:51 PM

So, the canopy is cut and I get it all set to put the sikaflex to work. Tape the frame and canopy, sand the glued areas, cleaner, primer dried, put canopy in position...puncture the 295uv tube and it's WHITE. They sent the wrong flippin color. White, just isn't going to get it when I had my frame and rollover bar powder coated black...you know, for the black sikaflex and primer.

So, my question for those who know more about this sikaflex than I can find online is...what now? The primer will have been on at least 48 hours by the time I can get new 295uv here...do I clean the primer with the cleaner and reprime the frame and canopy? Sand it all off? I thought I read somewhere that this stuff can't be double coated. Do I need to pull all the tape off?

If you heard a loud noise from the east side of Denver a few minutes ago..it was me going a bit ballistic. I'm better now.....no I'm not. Dammit!

The airplane factory is temporarily closed...but the bar just opened! Cheers!

IowaRV9Dreamer · #2 03-17-2013, 05:01 PM

I'm no expert, but I've Sika'd my canopy and windscreen. I wouldn't worry about the primer being on more than 48 hours. You can always wipe a thin coat on before you apply the Sika.

Sorry this happened, but you'll be past it soon. Don't go ballistic!

Stewie · #3 03-17-2013, 06:57 PM

I spoke with a tech rep at Jamestown who said the use-by window is more a practical than chemical consideration - they don't want boat builders leaving the stuff on for a week while it gets dusty and contaminated before putting on windows. I was told that if you keep the primer clean and dust-free, it should be good for a week. I did my canopy in stages and the last stage ended up with a 1-week wait between application of primer and application of sika. Looks great and bond is strong. Check other threads - I believe some people mentioned doing a second coat but if it's clean it should not be necessary. PM me if you want the name and phone number of the tech rep.
Eric

ColoRv · #4 03-17-2013, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewie

I spoke with a tech rep at Jamestown who said the use-by window is more a practical than chemical consideration - they don't want boat builders leaving the stuff on for a week while it gets dusty and contaminated before putting on windows. I was told that if you keep the primer clean and dust-free, it should be good for a week. I did my canopy in stages and the last stage ended up with a 1-week wait between application of primer and application of sika. Looks great and bond is strong. Check other threads - I believe some people mentioned doing a second coat but if it's clean it should not be necessary. PM me if you want the name and phone number of the tech rep.
Eric

I owe you a beer. That's a load off my mind! Thanks a lot Eric.

gasman · #5 03-17-2013, 08:55 PM

I guess my question is..... The color is not marked on the container?

Jimboscr · #6 03-17-2013, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gasman

I guess my question is..... The color is not marked on the container?

But it is not super conspicious. (thats my claim and I am sticking to it.) I can't say they sent me the wrong tubes...cos I grabbed the things out of the display myself. I had 2 black and one white, but did not notice it till I did the exact same thing, I pricked a hole in the end...white... However I used it as a final bead around the outside of the canopy which blended exactly with the white side skirt.

ColoRv · #7 03-17-2013, 10:13 PM

It is indeed marked on the side in very small writing and in several languages. I take my due share of the blame for not checking it closer. I did look when I opened the box, but I saw what I expected to see rather than what was actually there and blanco must have translated to black in my head. There is a word for that phenomenon. In the Marines we call it being a dumba**. :-)

As long as I don't have to strip the primer (or prime a stripper), I'll just chalk this one up to mad cow disease, Alzheimer's or dumb luck.

Aye, building on....

rockwoodrv9 · #8 03-17-2013, 10:22 PM

Bill, Im in Glenwood Springs and I thought that was just a sonic boom. I had no idea it was you. Thinking back on it, I never heard a sonic boom that sounded like I was with a bunch of junior high kids!

Good luck with your canopy. Im sure it will be perfect when you are done!

RV7Ron · #9 03-18-2013, 07:54 AM

Agree with other posters...I believe the literature says you can "reactivate" it after 48 hrs...I think you'll be fine.

ColoRv · #10 03-18-2013, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockwoodrv9

Bill, Im in Glenwood Springs and I thought that was just a sonic boom. I had no idea it was you. Thinking back on it, I never heard a sonic boom that sounded like I was with a bunch of junior high kids!

Good luck with your canopy. Im sure it will be perfect when you are done!

There isn't a high school kid alive that can toss obscenities like a marine who knows full well he should have caught the shipper's mistake before priming etc. I assume it's the same with all men, but I'm most upset when part or all of the blame is mine. I find it easier to take things in stride if others are completely to blame. When I walked up from the basement, the wife asked if the canopy had cracked (wives do pick up on our worst fears don't they?)....I guess she could hear my....uh....dismay upstairs.

Have you or Ron found any local places to buy sikaflex? Waiting for another east coast order is doable but...... West Marine just came to mind, and I'll try them when they open (what kind of business opens at 11am? Boat people...pfft). I checked all the typical Sika dealers in town before I ordered the first time, but none of them carry that line of goods as there isn't much need for boat window repair here in Denver.