Stixall or Sikaflex??

[TONCAZ]

Installing solar panel on my Motorhome, don't want to get the drill out for fixing so which one is best or is there no difference?
Most companies are saying Sikaflex but some other forums have mentioned Stixall.


Cheers

 

[Littlewheels]

Sikaflex 512 you actually answered your question “ most companies are saying Sikaflex “ its proven to do the job.

 

[TONCAZ]

Sikaflex 512 you actually answered your question “ most companies are saying Sikaflex “ its proven to do the job.

Thanks, its Sikaflex 221 that seems popular ,is 512 the same?

 

[Richard n Ann]

Screwed and stuck ours on with 512 but I've used stixall since and it's also good, it's probably the same stuff anyway. The important thing is preparation if you're not using screws, and I'd use full width aluminium angle rather than the plastic corner brackets.

 

[Revolvor]

Thanks, its Sikaflex 221 that seems popular, is 512 the same?

When I contacted SIKA in 2018 asking for advice about fitting Solar Panels, I was advised to use SIKA 552. This has a greater Tensile Strength than 512, (3N/mm^2 versus 1.8N/mm^2) /and has less stringent surface preparation requirements.

I used Aluminium Angle Brackets.

I used it, and so far the panel is still attached!!

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[WoldsSunlight]

Installing solar panel on my Motorhome, don't want to get the drill out for fixing so which one is best or is there no difference?
Most companies are saying Sikaflex but some other forums have mentioned Stixall.


Cheers

Both are actually made by Sika

 

[Wissel]

Stixall and sika 221 are not structural adhesives and neither should be used to fit solar, unless adding a mechanical fixing as well.
At the least, it needs to be a structural adhesive like sika 512

 

[TONCAZ]

Screwed and stuck ours on with 512 but I've used stixall since and it's also good, it's probably the same stuff anyway. The important thing is preparation if you're not using screws, and I'd use full width aluminium angle rather than the plastic corner brackets.

Good idea thanks..

 

[TONCAZ]

Stixall and sika 221 are not structural adhesives and neither should be used to fit solar, unless adding a mechanical fixing as well.
At the least, it needs to be a structural adhesive like sika 512

Cheers, mind made up Sika 512 it is..

 

[Wissel]

Cheers, mind made up Sika 512 it is..

252 would be better.
(was on phone in van van last replied)

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[Littlewheels]

Cheers, mind made up Sika 512 it is..

Good man, l have so far used 512 on 3 x MH and 7 panels on frame and haven’t lost any.

 

[Littlewheels]

Should have read No frame.

 

[Phill D]

Just remembered to put a few tile spacers underneath to keep the required thickness of sika to ensure a good bond.

 

[Revolvor]

Cheers, mind made up Sika 512 it is..

Sika say 552 is better than 512.
It's a minefield!

 

[fifthwheel]

Fitting a panel to a van only using adhesive/glue call it what you like, made by whoever you like is wrong and reckless.
Sika technical dept will not condone fitting this way without mechanical fixings.
I could not do this and sleep at night. Just imagine the devastation a flying panel letting go would create going through a family car windscreen.
I know panels have been fitted with glue only for years and have stayed fixed but a lot have detached. John.

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[TONCAZ]

Fitting a panel to a van only using adhesive/glue call it what you like, made by whoever you like is wrong and reckless.
Sika technical dept will not condone fitting this way without mechanical fixings.
I could not do this and sleep at night. Just imagine the devastation a flying panel letting go would create going through a family car windscreen.
I know panels have been fitted with glue only for years and have stayed fixed but a lot have detached. John.

Good point, thanks

 

[mitzimad]

Evidence of "a lot"I've used stixal with aluminium profile and never had one come office done several

 

[Phill D]

Fitting a panel to a van only using adhesive/glue call it what you like, made by whoever you like is wrong and reckless.
Sika technical dept will not condone fitting this way without mechanical fixings.
I could not do this and sleep at night. Just imagine the devastation a flying panel letting go would create going through a family car windscreen.
I know panels have been fitted with glue only for years and have stayed fixed but a lot have detached. John.

Not a believer in modern adhesives then.

I wo3agree that the surfaces need to be suitable and structurally sound but there is little wrong with the correct adhesive if correctly applied.
But each to our own, and whatever helps us sleep at night.

 

[Lenny HB]

I use Stika 291i marine adhesive/sealant over twice the holding power of 512 and if you want something even stronger Stika 292i marine adhesive I used that for my sat dish.

 

[BusyBuilder]

I used plastic brackets (4 corner and 2 side) and " Sticks Like Sh*t" for my solar panel, been on over 3 years, still stuck.

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[Phill D]

I used plastic brackets (4 corner and 2 side) and " Sticks Like Sh*t" for my solar panel, been on over 3 years, still stuck.

same but mine and has been on 8 years now.....

 

[TONCAZ]

same but mine and has been on 8 years now.....

Got some sticks like sh*t didn't think it was strong enough, hence the original post..

 

[Jev88]

Puraflex 40. Recommended by others and works.... 3 years on my old MH and will use again on new one (big proper corner brackets and roof surface roughed up in prep).

 

[fifthwheel]

I have spoken to Sika technical twice about sticking window blanking panels and solar panels.
I rung to ask what adhesive they would recommend from their range as I didn't want to drill through the roof.They told me they didn't have a product to offer me without mechanical fixing. I suggest to all the doubters to give Sika a call.
I know how strong Sika can be on its own, I had the job of taking the heavy side windows out an old ambulance to fit blanks.
I think I could have lifted the whole van just by the windows alone but still would use mechanical fixings as well as Sika for roof mounted panels. John.

Solar Panel Blown off Roof

We were driving back home a few days ago in very high winds, we were on a dual carageway and travelling at speed when there was an almighty crash. I looked to my right to see a huge cattle truck, and assumed the crash came from there. Other half was not convinced so we pulled into the services...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Jake Royd]

I , like many researched and used Sika 252i. Applied to 8 brackets with the feet of the brackets and the roof abraded.
I also made sure it was a dry warm day.(15 to 25C )
This is a structural adhesive.
From memory it's something like 450psi tensile (for the US version) and I have a total foot area of about 70 in2 so that's a force of 31500lbs or 14 Imperial tons to pull it straight off.
Of course the forces acting on it are complex but it gives an idea of its security.

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[Wissel]

I have spoken to Sika technical twice about sticking window blanking panels and solar panels.
I rung to ask what adhesive they would recommend from their range as I didn't want to drill through the roof.They told me they didn't have a product to offer me without mechanical fixing. I suggest to all the doubters to give Sika a call.
I know how strong Sika can be on its own, I had the job of taking the heavy side windows out an old ambulance to fit blanks.
I think I could have lifted the whole van just by the windows alone but still would use mechanical fixings as well as Sika for roof mounted panels. John.

Solar Panel Blown off Roof

We were driving back home a few days ago in very high winds, we were on a dual carageway and travelling at speed when there was an almighty crash. I looked to my right to see a huge cattle truck, and assumed the crash came from there. Other half was not convinced so we pulled into the services...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

I agree.

I had my last panels Sika'd to the roof (252) and they were fine for a couple of years. Before I replaced them I read this, from Sika:

I used 151 AND a mechanical fixing this time around.

 

[BusyBuilder]

Sometimes you can look into something too anally

 

[Chevy]

After a lot of web searching I used Sika 552 to stick my solar panel plastic brackets to my auto-trail roof, They immediately stuck and I couldn’t budge them a day later. I would recommend this adhesive to do the job, always make sure both surfaces are clean.

 

[Lenny HB]

Most of the panels that have blown off roofs have been fitted using plastic brackets. The type of adhesive is very critical for plastics and you must use the correct grade of Stika.
I would never use plastic brackets I always use alloy and the marine grade Stika which has a much higher holding power.

 

[Garry - June]

Nobody has yet mentioned Tec7...i have used it for years and in my opinion better than sika. ...brilliant stuff.....however i wouldn't use it alone for the bog standard plastic solar fittings without screws ... i would however highly recommend the larger alloy "aero" style fittings that go the whole width of the ends of the panel.... they give a much larger surface area that you can use just adhesive sealant alone....and have the advantages of obviously stopping airflow lifting the panel and also allows you to slide the panel out if needed by just releasing two screws...