Toilet flap thread

[G-RMPS]

The picture below shows a plastic flap which can be lowered over the hidden toilet in my Malibu van, prior to having a shower. It prevents the toilet getting wet. It is "hinged" at the bottom and the plastic hinge section of the flap is secured with double-sided tape. Unsurprisingly, it fell off. The dealer replaced the tape and....it fell off. The dealer used Sikaflex to bond it to the wall and...it fell off. The Sikaflex bonded to the flap but not at all to the wall.

Any suggestions as to a more permanent fix, bearing in mind the flap lives in a hot and damp environment?

 

[MisterB]

can you add a few more pictures please - i am surprised that sika would fail, though if the area wasnt prepared properly, then that might be why, lots of modern vehicles travel happily up and down our roads with part secured only by adhesive of one sort or another, so i cant see why you couldnt use a specialist adhesive on your flap ....

 

[Andy MacD]

I’d use a 3m sticky pad, get them from Amazon or eBay. I’d stick first to the surface your current methods don’t work on, a day later to the other surface and support with masking tape for a day. That way it’s gets time to make a good bond. It works on windscreens for dashcams so can take the weight and smooth surface. Also it wont damage any surface it’s on if you need to remove.

 

[G-RMPS]

I’ll try. I also think 3M tape is good. No idea what Malibu and then the dealer used. Certainly the dealer didn’t roughen the wall surface prior to applying Sikaflex.

 

[ivorantony]

Or to fix it permanently use Redux, it’s used to bond wing panels amongst other things,
I used it building my aircraft a few years ago, If you are still a LAA member then I’m sure there will be a member with some leftover from their build,
You can use some date expired as it isn’t a critical component,

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[PP Bear]

Any suggestions as to a more permanent fix, bearing in mind the flap lives in a hot and damp environment?

I’d say most anything used in the production of men’s pants, as it’s probably the hottest most damp area I can think of

 

[Landy Andy]

I would prefer a mechanical fixing. Such as a aluminium pop rivet, unless other side can been seen. Or as others have said 3m double sided tape. They do one which has a red peel off cover and sticks really well. Often used to stick phone mounts, and GoPros.

 

[Lenny HB]

Dealer must have used the wrong Stika some types are not suitable for some plastics.

 

[G-RMPS]

I wondered about aluminium pop rivets. I don’t know how thick the panel is but you can get long rivets. If 3M doesn’t work I could drill a pilot hole where the hinge bit covers.

 

[PP Bear]

I wondered about aluminium pop rivets. I don’t know how thick the panel is but you can get long rivets. If 3M doesn’t work I could drill a pilot hole where the hinge bit covers.

Or do both

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[Landy Andy]

This is the 3m tape that I’ve used recently with great results.

Pardon our interruption...

Also pop rivets are in many sizes, and I doubt your plastic it that thick. If you do go via the pop rivet route don’t drill the holes too tight. With plastic you need a bit of give, as it will expand and contract in the heat, and you won’t want it cracking due to stress.