Author Topic: Gluing aluminum to fiberglass- tips?  (Read 16959 times)

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Offline brandEn

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Gluing aluminum to fiberglass- tips?
« on: December 29, 2010, 05:13:57 pm »
I need to attach an aluminum bracket I made to my fiberglass seat cowl. I have access to a variety of different adhesives and sealants (aircraft types like PR 1422 B 1/2, 3m DP420... ect) and was wondering if anyone could recommend a good way to attach it. I cant use any fastners so was hoping to get a good bond with some type of adhesive. Any tips?

Offline faux fiddy

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Re: Gluing aluminum to fiberglass- tips?
« Reply #1 on: December 29, 2010, 05:21:48 pm »
Gorilla glue is pretty amazing stuff, I've used it on all kinds of stuff and it will stick to metal and fiberglass if it's not gel-coated.

Not sure if it's better than what you have.
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Offline brandEn

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Re: Gluing aluminum to fiberglass- tips?
« Reply #2 on: December 29, 2010, 06:05:36 pm »
Thanks fiddy, I thought of that stuff as well. I am not sure if my cowl is gel coated or not. Its from carpy and is black??

Offline Gaither

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Re: Gluing aluminum to fiberglass- tips?
« Reply #3 on: December 29, 2010, 06:29:59 pm »
BWJ

FWIW

If you have an independent aircraft repair shop nearby, they will have/know just what you need.

Good luck!
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Offline Alan F.

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Re: Gluing aluminum to fiberglass- tips?
« Reply #4 on: December 29, 2010, 06:38:12 pm »
whatever you wind up using, it may be beneficial to drill a few holes and rough the surface of the aluminum up, perhaps serrate the edges even...

Offline brandEn

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Re: Gluing aluminum to fiberglass- tips?
« Reply #5 on: December 29, 2010, 06:40:52 pm »
Drilling holes and serrating the edges is a good idea. I already have the metal roughed up a bit. Thanks!

Offline brandEn

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Re: Gluing aluminum to fiberglass- tips?
« Reply #6 on: December 29, 2010, 06:42:34 pm »
FWIW, here is a picture of the bracket that needs to be secured to the inside of my seat cowl


Offline fasturd

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Re: Gluing aluminum to fiberglass- tips?
« Reply #7 on: December 29, 2010, 07:45:37 pm »
I have to think most any good Automotive structural epoxy will work. Cars are bonded together everyday and there are some products specifically aimed at plastic and metal combinations. But most will hold up well. Follow the directions, keep everything clean and use the recomended grit(s) for sanding.
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Offline FunJimmy

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Re: Gluing aluminum to fiberglass- tips?
« Reply #8 on: December 29, 2010, 09:27:48 pm »
Bondo!

Polyester based just like the resin in fiberglass and made for metal.
You could also encapsulate with another fiberglass layer once bonded in place.
« Last Edit: December 29, 2010, 09:29:29 pm by FunJimmy »
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Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: Gluing aluminum to fiberglass- tips?
« Reply #9 on: December 29, 2010, 11:41:09 pm »
I have to think most any good Automotive structural epoxy will work. Cars are bonded together everyday and there are some products specifically aimed at plastic and metal combinations. But most will hold up well. Follow the directions, keep everything clean and use the recomended grit(s) for sanding.

Epoxy if you want it to stay there. I work with epoxy resins and if you use a good epoxy that will be glued for ever...

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Offline faux fiddy

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Re: Gluing aluminum to fiberglass- tips?
« Reply #10 on: December 30, 2010, 12:34:07 am »
Thanks fiddy, I thought of that stuff as well. I am not sure if my cowl is gel coated or not. Its from carpy and is black??

If it's a glossy surface like a new fiberglass boat it's probably gel coated If it's the underside and rough textured probbly not. It still doesn't hurt to rough it up (both metal and fiberglass) and have as much surface to surface area.

The one thing about gorilla glue (polyurethane) is it expands and has potential to make a big mess. It's kind of like the polyurethane foam.  Depending on the application, for stuff that doesn't necessarily have to be looked at I like to have a little bit of excess foam out the sides. As it swells it gets to a point just  past where it is goop and turning towards solid and tacky- close  about an hour usually. When the surface starts to  get a crust I like to continue to  squish it back towards the joint.  Doing this makes it more dense and solid instead of frothy when it hardens.

Play with it a little bit before you do your project. Practice glueing a couple things together   is the best way I can think of to learn what it will do.

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Offline faux fiddy

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Re: Gluing aluminum to fiberglass- tips?
« Reply #11 on: December 30, 2010, 12:41:40 am »
FWIW, here is a picture of the bracket that needs to be secured to the inside of my seat cowl



Yep, that looks like enough surface for gorilla, epoxy of jb weld. Any of them are good for filling in the voids,too.

Nice looking work, BTW.
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Offline Alan F.

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Re: Gluing aluminum to fiberglass- tips?
« Reply #12 on: January 04, 2011, 10:21:27 am »
If you go with JB weld, check their FAQ page first. did you know that you can thin out JB weld a little with acetone?

Offline BeSeeingYou

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Re: Gluing aluminum to fiberglass- tips?
« Reply #13 on: January 04, 2011, 10:27:12 am »
3M's 5200 adhesive sealant would also work.

Offline domer

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Re: Gluing aluminum to fiberglass- tips?
« Reply #14 on: January 04, 2011, 10:41:07 am »
ive been debating on a bracket like this for my carpy seat... dare i ask why you want to attach it to the fiberglass? and not maybe use a piece of rubber to tighten things up but still allow a little flex. i know mines got some serious flex being attached at only the seat portion...

Offline domer

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Re: Gluing aluminum to fiberglass- tips?
« Reply #15 on: January 04, 2011, 10:48:14 am »
fyi....the bottom of my seat has a light gel coat.

Offline brandEn

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Re: Gluing aluminum to fiberglass- tips?
« Reply #16 on: January 04, 2011, 05:31:26 pm »
ive been debating on a bracket like this for my carpy seat... dare i ask why you want to attach it to the fiberglass? and not maybe use a piece of rubber to tighten things up but still allow a little flex. i know mines got some serious flex being attached at only the seat portion...

Gluing or bonding the bracket to my seat cowl was my first train of thought. After some tinkering I found that 2" wide velcro was a simple yet highly effective way to get the job done. I am really pleased with the result and the adjustability I have with this setup. So no gluing needed and it holds sturdy as hell, is easy to remove, and retains flex. I also cleaned it up and rattle canned it black so it even looks half way decent.

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Re: Gluing aluminum to fiberglass- tips?
« Reply #17 on: January 04, 2011, 06:32:50 pm »
Two part urethane. I believe 3M makes it. It will stick to most anything.

Offline faux fiddy

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Re: Gluing aluminum to fiberglass- tips?
« Reply #18 on: January 05, 2011, 11:37:46 am »
3M's 5200 adhesive sealant would also work.

That's good stuff- like sikaflex. It gives , and sticks pretty good, fills voids. Probably real similar to the airplane adhesives you have accesss to.
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