sika...what kind an where to buy?

miyu1975 · #1 05-30-2010, 09:16 PM

In doing some searches tonight I find there are several types of sikaflex one can buy. What kind is everyone using here...ie sikaflex-552...and who sells it?
I am planning to use this on my entire canopy install...No drilling for me.

IowaRV9Dreamer · #2 05-30-2010, 10:30 PM

I'm at the same spot - ready to bond canopy within a week or less. I think I need to buy 295UV adhesive. 209 primer, and 226 cleaner. Also maybe "Aktivator" whatever that is. There is a lot of technical data out there - try www.jamestowndistributors.com

CMW · #3 05-30-2010, 11:21 PM

I just received all the Sika stuff to attach the canopy. I ordered it from Fisheries Supply. They seem to have a little better pricing than Jamestown.

Here's a link to Fisheries Supply:

http://www.fisheriessupply.com/resul...m=on&km=entire

I ordered

1 can of Sika 226 cleaner
1 can of Sika 209D Primer (this is a replacement for 209N)
3 tubes of Sika 295UV Black adhesive

Chris

apkp777 · #4 05-31-2010, 05:28 AM

Ryan,

I just did my Sika not too long ago. Here's what you need. Mine was a tip up. A slider may be different.

209D - Plexiglass Primer for the canopy
206G+P -Sika Primer for the aluminum frame
226 - Sika Cleaner for surface prep
295UV - Adhesive ( I used 1 tube, buy 2 just in case.)

I bought some of it from Jamestown Distributors, but they had a delay with the adhesive which I got sooner from www.boatersworld.com

More than anything you need lots of tape to mask off the areas that you don't want to get it on. It won't stick to unprepped plexiglass, but it is like proseal on painted surfaces.

apkp777 · #5 05-31-2010, 05:30 AM

Everyone seems to skip the 206 G&P. However, it is needed for the aluminum according to Sika. Ask and see if anyone in VAF land has any left overs. I know that I used barely half of all my supplies. I gave the rest to another builder. He may have some left over as well.

miyu1975 · #6 05-31-2010, 06:26 AM

great thx....I am curious as to if anyone has used sika instead of the screws completely half and half...

how were the results.?

Lars · #7 05-31-2010, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miyu1975

great thx....I am curious as to if anyone has used sika instead of the screws completely half and half...

how were the results.?

Mine has one hole: for the canopy latch (slider).

I've done mine twice, as I managed to drop a wrench square onto the top of my canopy after I was done bonding it the first time, which shattered it. Based on the experience of removing the broken canopy from the frame, it is tenacious. I used a sharp razor blade to free most of the acrylic, but in the areas where I attempted to forcibly remove it, the urethane itself tore (cohesive failure). I was unable to create an adhesive failure anywhere. The acrylic broke apart instead as I tugged with clamps, pliers, etc.

I did not use any 206, but I didn't bond to aluminum anywhere (my canopy skirt is fiberglass).

Getting a smooth, aesthetic fillet is an art. One which I haven't mastered yet.

I am confident in the process due to experience using Sikaflex and other urethanes in marine applications, but ultimately time will tell. My canopy skirt is one piece and is riveted to the frame along the sides per the plans, so the aft portion of the skirt provides some mechanical security.

IowaRV9Dreamer · #8 05-31-2010, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apkp777

Everyone seems to skip the 206 G&P. However, it is needed for the aluminum according to Sika. Ask

I think you are right Tony... I watched a bunch of videos last night on Sika and came to the same conclusion. I won't like it (because the primer is the most expensive part), but I'll buy the 206 for the skirts, and the 209D for the plexi and the canopy frame.

If anyone in VAFworld has some recent unused 206, PM me. I think the shelf life (unopened) is only 9 months, and I'll be lucky to get to my skirts by September. I'll likely end up just buying both.

Also, are people putting additional UV protection on the outside of the canopy, or are they just relying on the black Sika 209 primer? I assume that when you glue a slider canopy you don't put on the C-653 cover strip over the top of the center bow?

ArVeeNiner · #9 06-02-2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IowaRV9Dreamer

I assume that when you glue a slider canopy you don't put on the C-653 cover strip over the top of the center bow?

Have you heard if this is a correct assumption? It seems reasonable to me.

Lars · #10 06-02-2010, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IowaRV9Dreamer

I think you are right Tony... I watched a bunch of videos last night on Sika and came to the same conclusion. I won't like it (because the primer is the most expensive part), but I'll buy the 206 for the skirts, and the 209D for the plexi and the canopy frame.

If anyone in VAFworld has some recent unused 206, PM me. I think the shelf life (unopened) is only 9 months, and I'll be lucky to get to my skirts by September. I'll likely end up just buying both.

Also, are people putting additional UV protection on the outside of the canopy, or are they just relying on the black Sika 209 primer? I assume that when you glue a slider canopy you don't put on the C-653 cover strip over the top of the center bow?

I didn't use the cover strip, so by default I'm relying on the 209 primer (which is coal black) for UV protection locally.

You can extend the shelf life considerably by keeping the stuff cold. Mine lives in the mini-fridge in the hangar- you DO have a mini fridge, don't you?