Aluminum skin delamination

[grant whipp]

I've posted this many many times over the years ...

... IF you are going to glue, use the proper "soft setting" glue like Upholsterers' Landau Top Adhesive, RV Rubber Roof Adhesive, and some have had excellent results with Sikaflex or PL Urethane Adhesive (but, I can't testify to any results, personally) ... then proper preparation of the aluminum and the surface (cleaning all dirt & oils off both surfaces with lacquer thinner is good) ... then proper and even application of the glue. I NEVER glue the roofs of my TDs, only the sides ... and in over 25 years of gluing on my sides, I've yet to have one separate!

It IS an expensive proposition to remove & properly replace delaminated skins (unless the mfg. is honorable enough to admit their mistakes and fix it), so if you CAN live with the bulging until it all has separated, I would recommend that (but DO check all the moldings & seams to make sure they're still sealed).

Good Luck, and in the meantime ...

CHEERS!

[GPW]

A question of you learned builders... Wouldn’t be a good idea to install an Al skin during the Hottest time of the year ... Fully expanded, then as the cooler weather arrives , it would only shrink ... wouldn’t that eliminate any Oil canning ?

[citylights]

A question of you learned builders... Wouldn’t be a good idea to install an Al skin during the Hottest time of the year ... Fully expanded, then as the cooler weather arrives , it would only shrink ... wouldn’t that eliminate any Oil canning ?

I don't know about "the hottest", but I did cut and install my floating aluminum skin in the sun when it was very warm. Sometimes the sun warmed aluminum was uncomfortably hot to handle bare handed. No oil canning in the first summer after my build.

[grant whipp]

A question of you learned builders... Wouldn’t be a good idea to install an Al skin during the Hottest time of the year ... Fully expanded, then as the cooler weather arrives , it would only shrink ... wouldn’t that eliminate any Oil canning ?

I usually try to install the skins when it's hot, but that isn't always possible due to deadlines and such ... using the methods that I do, it has never been a problem either way.

CHEERS!

[halfdome, Danny]

My shop has R19 insulation in the 6" walls and R30 in the ceiling and is heated in the cold months with a pellet stove to no more than 68 degrees.
It's also about that temperature in the warm months. Not too cold and not to warm to work in.
I always purchase my wood and aluminum materials far in advance of their use so they acclimate to the environment they will be built in.
It's the best way to build without problems.
Danny

[GPW]

Thanks Guys !!!