Sika Adhesives

[Top Hat]

I've been talking to sika technical dept asking for their recommendation for fixing a solar panel using adhesive only to a PVC, They recommended that the area to be treated first with Sika Activator (not cheap) then to use Sika 552 adhesive
I have seen various adhesives recommended on here and by company's supplying panel mounts but never seen any mention of Sika Activator.
Is this because there's a cheaper method out there?
Charlie

 

[Two on Tour]

Oh my god, do you realise what you are starting here. Stand back it could get messy.

 

[scotjimland]

I posted this on the other thread..

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/solar-panel-blown-off-roof.186806/page-2

my Alden AS 4 Auto Sat dish was supplied with

Sika 252 + Sika Akitvator

There is no mechanical fixings or screws to hold it to the roof.. it has been on for over 3 years ..

this is the procedure,


instructions by Alden


Sika 252 for fixing sat dish or solar panels.

1. Use a pencil to mark the place of the unit on the roof.
   
2. Sand the roof surface with sandpaper.
   
3. Clean each surface with a thinner.
   
4. Spread Sika-Aktivator on the sanded surface.
   Leave to dry for 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Glue generously the base of the unit with SikaFlex 252 then press slightly on the unit. Layer of glue: ± 3 mm.

1. To accelerate the polymerisation, spray a little water on the visible parts of the glue.

Leave to dry for 24 hours.


The full instructions on how to fit the solar panel can be downloaded from here

https://www.vanbitz.com/wp-content/uploads/Phoenix-mounting.pdf

 

[Steve N Tracy]

According to the American safety sheet the 205 activator is mostly isopropanol avaliable off ebay very cheaply, I have used isoprop to clean and degrease the roof before fitting 4 solar panels and 2 satellite dishes with 252 and non of them have come off.

 

[TinaLes]

This has been done to death on another thread that is still going!
I did as it said on the MH Fun Tin at the time.
I didn't use the activator (although I had heard of it), I did everything as suggested in @scotjimland thread , but without the activator. I used the Sika 552, for the ABS panel brackets, and I used mate Stainless Steel Self Tapping screws, all of which would now appear to be wrong advice
The Solar panel is large, held on with 6 brackets also large, it is not screwed to the roof, but so far it has stuck like you know what to the proverbial.
I will of course be checking all is OK on a regular basis, but no I aint screwing nothing to the roof.....yet
Les
PS: even Photonic Universe that supplied the panels said "We just use the ABS Brackets and SS self tappers"
Well I will go to the foot of my stairs as they say

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[scotjimland]

According to the American safety sheet the 205 activator is mostly isopropanol avaliable off ebay very cheaply, I have used isoprop to clean and degrease the roof before fitting 4 solar panels and 2 satellite dishes with 252 and non of them have come off.

that's interesting, and not disagreeing.. nor wishing to debate but this is what the Sika Akitvator safety data sheet says https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...ktivator.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3_J__r_7BTxEZzT0_h3ny0

Ingredient name

naphtha (petroleum), hydrotreated light 50 - 70%

heptane [and isomers] 25 - 30%

ethanol 5 - 10%

Tris(dodecylbenzenesulphonato-O)(propan-2- olato)titanium 1 - 3 %


Google any of the Sika products and you will find the product information, application and uses

 

[Emmit]

********WARNING***********

INCOMING "STUPID" QUESTION

After you've marked the position of the roof with a pencil, doesn't using the alcohol make the pencil disappear.
(I'll try at this point to recover my position?)

Or is the pencil marks merely to position the rubbing of the abrasive?

 

[Wissel]

I used as recommended (552 + Activator) on my solar panels and awning bracket.

There's often pretty good deals online buying the two together.

 

[Two on Tour]

********WARNING***********

INCOMING "STUPID" QUESTION

After you've marked the position of the roof with a pencil, doesn't using the alcohol make the pencil disappear.
(I'll try at this point to recover my position?)

Or is the pencil marks merely to position the rubbing of the abrasive?

I use masking tape. I set it out 3 or 4 mm wider than the mount to allow for a fillet of adhesive as you would do say sealing a bath or sink.
This will allow you to scuff the area to be bonded without marking areas of the roof you want to keep pristine.
Having stuck down your mounts you can remove the excess adhesive to the masking tape and when you remove the masking tape you have a nice neat finish to the edge of the adhesive.

 

[mfw]

If you follow sika instructions and you use what they suggest you should not have problems - most important part is going to be preparation if it is not properly cleaned and prepared you could have problems and probably will

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[BusyBuilder]

I've used Sticks Like Sh*t, cleaned the area first with brake cleaner. Nothing has moved since fixing two panels and the connector box to the roof.

 

[Top Hat]

This has been done to death on another thread that is still going!
I did as it said on the MH Fun Tin at the time.
I didn't use the activator (although I had heard of it), I did everything as suggested in @scotjimland thread , but without the activator. I used the Sika 552, for the ABS panel brackets, and I used mate Stainless Steel Self Tapping screws, all of which would now appear to be wrong advice
The Solar panel is large, held on with 6 brackets also large, it is not screwed to the roof, but so far it has stuck like you know what to the proverbial.
I will of course be checking all is OK on a regular basis, but no I aint screwing nothing to the roof.....yet
Les
PS: even Photonic Universe that supplied the panels said "We just use the ABS Brackets and SS self tappers"
Well I will go to the foot of my stairs as they say

I'm doing something a little different so want to make sure I get it right, a PVC roof is slightly corrugated running from front to back, I have not enough room to fit the panel with the corrugations so it has to be fitted from side to side meaning the .685 spoiler mounts I am using have to hit the high corrugation, it took a lot of looking to find a panel + mounts that hit precisely on the 70mm wide high corrugation.

 

[Louis]

I posted this on the other thread..

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/solar-panel-blown-off-roof.186806/page-2

my Alden AS 4 Auto Sat dish was supplied with

Sika 252 + Sika Akitvator

There is no mechanical fixings or screws to hold it to the roof.. it has been on for over 3 years ..

this is the procedure,


instructions by Alden


Sika 252 for fixing sat dish or solar panels.

1. Use a pencil to mark the place of the unit on the roof.
   
2. Sand the roof surface with sandpaper.
   
3. Clean each surface with a thinner.
   
4. Spread Sika-Aktivator on the sanded surface.
   Leave to dry for 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Glue generously the base of the unit with SikaFlex 252 then press slightly on the unit. Layer of glue: ± 3 mm.

1. To accelerate the polymerisation, spray a little water on the visible parts of the glue.

Leave to dry for 24 hours.


The full instructions on how to fit the solar panel can be downloaded from here

https://www.vanbitz.com/wp-content/uploads/Phoenix-mounting.pdf

How do you get ± ..... no sorry only jokin man

 

[scotjimland]

How do you get ± ..... no sorry only jokin man

 

[Louis]

You could ave used a plastic one

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[Lenny HB]

When I read the Sika info it said the activator " may assist withe the adhesion" at over 30 quid a bottle for the activator for 292i I didn't bother.

 

[scotjimland]

When I read the Sika info it said the activator " may assist withe the adhesion" at over 30 quid a bottle for the activator for 292i I didn't bother.

wow.. I had no idea it cost so much..

mine came with the Sika 252 included in the Alden kit .. think I've still got half a bottle laying about somewhere..
https://www.sealantsandtoolsdirect....activator_250ml_aktivator_red_top_P26120.html

 

[Lenny HB]

wow.. I had no idea it cost so much..

mine came with the Sika 252 included in the Alden kit .. think I've still got half a bottle laying about somewhere..
https://www.sealantsandtoolsdirect....activator_250ml_aktivator_red_top_P26120.html

For the 292i it's a different one that's 3 times the price.

 

[Top Hat]

wow.. I had no idea it cost so much..

mine came with the Sika 252 included in the Alden kit .. think I've still got half a bottle laying about somewhere..
https://www.sealantsandtoolsdirect....activator_250ml_aktivator_red_top_P26120.html

You have to be carefull after the bottle is opened, once opened the liquid can become opaque/cloudy making it usable.
Seen some for sale for £16 for 250ml

 

[raysalaugh]

Seen some for sale for £16 for 250ml

At Asda you can get 1000ml of vodka for £16, probably do same job and 750ml left to celebrate with after.

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[Northernraider]

I used sikaflex 512 for my panels didn't use anything else

Worked

 

[scotjimland]

I used sikaflex 512 for my panels didn't use anything else

Worked

not recommended for fitting solar panels..

your choice.. >>

Sikaflex®-512 Caravan is a strong elastic adhesive that bonds and seals in one operation. It is purpose-designed for building and repairing caravans, motor homes and trailers and does not suffer from the problems of traditional mastics.

Correctly installed, it will provide many years of leak-free, and trouble-free service.


Roof vents, skylights

TV aerials

Awning rails

Lap joints

Butt joints

Fillet/corner joints

Window strips

Leaky gaskets


https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...0Caravan.pdf&usg=AOvVaw0HpE0FrM1DAj4U2oyLlYf_

 

[Top Hat]

At Asda you can get 1000ml of vodka for £16, probably do same job and 750ml left to celebrate with after.

Yeah it might very well work but, is it worth £16 to take a chance and not follow the recommenations given and have it not work, if I hadn't looked into it I may have just used adhesive but I did so to ignore it would be stupid.
Good idea to celebrate though

Charlie

 

[Northernraider]

not recommended for fitting solar panels..

your choice.. >>

Sikaflex®-512 Caravan is a strong elastic adhesive that bonds and seals in one operation. It is purpose-designed for building and repairing caravans, motor homes and trailers and does not suffer from the problems of traditional mastics.

Correctly installed, it will provide many years of leak-free, and trouble-free service.


Roof vents, skylights

TV aerials

Awning rails

Lap joints

Butt joints

Fillet/corner joints

Window strips

Leaky gaskets


https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=2ahUKEwjv8Mrnht_eAhVlJsAKHVZZCn8QFjABegQIABAC&url=https://svn.sika.com/dms/getdocument.get/b15d3e51-9d43-31b7-bbb3-b9abe2d374a0/B%20Sikaflex%C2%AE-512%20Caravan.pdf&usg=AOvVaw0HpE0FrM1DAj4U2oyLlYf_

It's what the supplier of the panels I fitted reccomended and I fitted them over a year ago covered 18000 miles in all weather's , withstood very high winds and speeds up to 80mph.

Were still as firmly glued to the roof when I sold it as they were the day I fitted them.

 

[138go]

I glued my Snipe 2 down with Sikaflex 512 and I noticed the other day that it is still there. I did use three of the little silicon rubber stops that you get on kitchen cupboards to give me a gap for the Sikaflex.

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