On our '97 U295, the trim strip near the driver side seam between the front cap and the side panel is detached from the front cap. The area of concern is from the bottom of the seam to the top of the bay door. I showed the trim strip section to Rance at Xtreme. He recommend attaching the trim strip to the front cap with epoxy. The support for that portion of the front cap is from the trim strip, which is attached to metal framework by screws.
What kind of epoxy should I use? What is a good source for the appropriate epoxy? The object is to permanently attached the trim strip to the gel coat of the front cap. He also suggested using a bit of epoxy to attach the corner of one of the decorative "air scoops" at the rear of the coach. I should have asked what kind of epoxy while I had his attention. :-[ D'oh!
Dave, as long as both surfaces are clean most epoxy adhesives will work but be sure to get one called "non-sag", high viscosity or thixotropic. Otherwise it will simply run down and out the bottom.
If this is not a structural issue, I would use the 3M 5200. It would be easier to apply.
Thank you, Kent.
Rance told me that the trim strip IS the structural connection for driver side lower portion of the front cap. The cap should be glued to the trim strip and an edge of the trim strip is screwed to the metal framework. I expect I drug that corner of the coach exiting a parking lot and compromised the glued connection. That corner of the coach had been rebuilt sometime in the past at FOT. I saw a picture of the coach in the service bay on one of their advertisements. The headlights and lower corner of the cap were gone!
JD, if you check Jamestown Distributors they have a great selection of epoxy and other adhesives, sealants. There is one which comes in a caulk tube with mixing nozzle which might work well for you. Sorry, limited inet access right now so can't say exact product name, maybe T100?
Interesting about that strip, I need one as mine is missing about 4 feet of it from the bottom up. Didn't realize it was structural.
Dave, looks like Jamestown has the right stuff, http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=52008&familyName=WEST+System+Six10+Thickened+Epoxy+Adhesive (http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=52008&familyName=WEST+System+Six10+Thickened+Epoxy+Adhesive). This is a thixotropic epoxy with mixing tip. Just be sure to squirt some through the mixing tip to insure a good mix before applying it to your surface. Also if you aren't prepared to do the whole job at one time, order extra mixing tips. The tips are good for only one application. I would use denatured alcohol to clean the surfaces and rough up any smooth substrates.
The WEST 610 is a very pleasant epoxy to work with (yes, I said "pleasant" and "epoxy" in the same sentence :))). It is "thin" when you work it, but then thickens when you stop - pretty slick. One note is that you can simply dispense from the tube and then mix it by hand (as opposed to using the official mixing tip). I sometimes do that for small jobs, that don't really need a tip; or, for certain tasks I'll put the "hand" mixed 610 into a small syringe (can allow more precise placement than the official tip). Nonetheless, I keep extra tips on hand for when they are needed (you can buy them separately).
I can't speak to whether or not I would use 610 for the job, not having seen the situation, but from what you have said it does sound like a good candidate. Other thoughts (again, not really having a full understanding of the situation) might be something like a polyurethane [4200/5200, etc.] or a VHB tape.
Why not just call Extreme and ask? Gam
Alex, interesting input. Sounds like we have another Polymers Pro. If you will be contributing what appears to be good information to this forum, a little background on your experience would be helpful. You have already convinced me that you have more than a casual expertise with Epoxies and Urethanes.
Hi Kent,
I have enjoyed reading your many posts on coatings (etc.), and appreciate your research/knowledge/etc. on them. Not to mention just your everyday type posts.
My use of epoxy (and other assorted "goos") comes from working on boats, mostly fiberglass ones.
On the WEST 610: I actually just used it for the first time a few months ago. Up till then I was a bit, "Oh, I don't need a pre-fabbed product, I've been mixing my own for years. I have ingredients and I know how to use them!" And it is darned expensive for just a half a caulking tube's worth. But then I tried some. Now it has a place in my tool kit :) It is very convenient, very tidy, and one can easily mix up just a tiny amount to do a small task (no more long lists of small jobs that are being "saved" for the next time I mix a big batch and have a little left over, that I always forget to consult anyway). From talking to WEST it seems "engineered" well. So while I wouldn't build a boat with it ($$$), and it won't do everything, it is very handy for many uses --- I joke with myself that I'm saving enough in gloves to pay for it (because I tend to go through them).
Good input. I will have to try some myself.