DIY Advice

[wotme]

My intention is to remove the top box which has been fixed to the roof by using self tappers through four steel plates.
Once I unscrew and remove the box it will leave half a dozen screw holes in each corner of the box aprox 60cm apart which need to be sealed.
Do I just mastic the holes or should I plate over using a suitable material such as upvc facia board or aluminium sheeting or would you suggest a fibreglass gel etc.
Appreciate any help given

 

[Badknee]

Search out Sikaflex on here, we all use it. I would fill the holes with a squirt of the stuff then as you suggest glue some upvc on then.

 

[Silver-Fox]

Personally I’d plate back over with something using sika.

Unless the screws are that short they haven’t penetrated the roof.

 

[Lenny HB]

Use one of the Sikaflex's to fill the holes then to finish it off Sikaflex an aluminium checker plate over the area. Standard on a lot of motorhomes to have an area of the roof with checkerplate on it when they have a rear ladder, so it won't look out of place.

 

[Two on Tour]

I agree with Badknee & Silver-Fox that that is the best way to tackle it.

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[Emmit]

Hi,

Some Di**head in a previous ownership of our van has screwed the solar panel down likewise to your box.
In the near future I intend to remove said solar panel, replacing the fixings with sikaflex and, at the same time, resiting the panel to allow another to be put up there.
I intend to retain the four fixings, give the area surrounding the holes a good cleanse and replace the fixings accompanied by a generous helping of sikaflex and on the surface.
I can't think of anything, other than the same fixings that would give as good a seal when accompanied by Sikaflex. It's flexible and tough.

 

[wotme]

Crikey, that was five reply's in almost as many seconds and all pretty much unanimous, thanks again for your help

 

[Silver-Fox]

If nothing else Funsters are opinionated or should that be have opinions and willing to share (must share)

 

[tonka]

My vote is also for plating over..
Here is an Alternative to Sikaflex, if you dont have a Toolstation nearby they do free delivery on £10 order.
https://www.toolstation.com/puraflex-40-high-modulus-pu-sealant-adhesive-300ml/p67949

 

[Minxy]

Crikey, that was five reply's in almost as many seconds and all pretty much unanimous, thanks again for your help

They like to read fun posts whilst stuffing themselves with breakfast bagels, muffins, crumpets etc so their keyboards will now all be covered in crumbs, jam, butter etc and for the posh one cream cheese and smoked salmon as they will have rushed to reply before anyone else does ...

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[tonyidle]

An alternative view. If the roof is of sandwich construction then whether the holes are watertight or not no water will enter the van so a blob of Sikaflex forced into each hole is sufficient.

 

[wotme]

My local hardware and builders merchant didn't stock Sikaflex so it meant a 25mile round trip over town.
Only took a jiffy to remove the 24 screws holding the top box to the roof but that turned out to be a wasted exercise As I expected the box was laid on a bed of mastic before screwing down, no idea what this stuff is but there's no way I can see of releasing the box without damaging the roof. So it looks like I'm stuck with it, not that I dislike the look of it in fact my daughter thinks its quite cool, to me though its something that will never get used and worst of all its effecting my 0 - 30 performance, especially against a head wind.

 

[tonyidle]

no idea what this stuff is but there's no way I can see of releasing the box without damaging the roof.

Yep ...... that's Sikaflex (or other PU adhesive) .

 

[Lenny HB]

Only way is a long slow process with a cheese wire.

 

[pappajohn]

As I expected the box was laid on a bed of mastic

There's every chance it will only be a bead of sika around the outside.
If it is, a cheese wire will make short work of it.

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[wotme]

Never thought of a cheese wire, didn't know they still made such a thing, having said that I suppose that's similar to what the Yorkshire Vet uses to cut off cattle horns. So I guess they must come in various lengths then? What's going through my mind if I did adopt this idea is it could be the same as what happens to Perspex when you cut it with a jig saw, it self seals itself behind the blade. Can you suggest a suitable solvent to remove the old mastic or what ever it is they've used.

 

[Silver-Fox]

Guitar string with two small pieces of wood at the ends

 

[jockaneezer]

You can buy the correct square section wire online.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3Pcs-Car...978799e6843a6849a43c6e1956a02&redirect=mobile

 

[tonyidle]

There is no solvent for PU adhesive. Cut it as suggested then use a very sharp 1"+ wood chisel to clean the roof. It is possible to remove it cleanly. Use any convenient lubricant - none will soften the adhesive. WD40 probably as convenient as anything else. The saw won't clog anyway.

 

[Minxy]

When I removed an awning from our previous PVC I had a hell of a job removing the Sikaflex from where the brackets had been, I used a winder scraper like the below, but before I used it I rounded off the 2 sharp corner points so they couldn't dig in. It was then a case of gently scraping away at the adhesive taking care not to catch the roof.

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