Newby with a question

[Mayne]

Hi I'm researching a possible build, and I cam across a question regarding aluminum skinning for a 5' wide tear. I can find aluminum in 4' wide but not 5' wide for the roof. I imagine one would be laying the skin out sideways, if so what to do to seal the seems?

Am I missing something fundamental, I usually am.

Mayne

[BillandMarijo]

We found 5" wide @ a trucking parts company and they cut it to the length we needed. Maybe check for that in your area.
Marijo

[madjack]

...overlap by at least two inches...over the top of a spar(rib) and use stainless steel screws every couple of inches orso...use a one part urethane sealer/adhesive such as SikaFlex 221 or 3M 5200 or a windshield sealant available from an auto body supply house.........
madjack

p.s. Bill and Marjo's suggestion is valid as well..................MJ

[aggie79]

...overlap by at least two inches...over the top of a spar(rib) and use stainless steel screws every couple of inches orso...use a one part urethane sealer/adhesive such as SikaFlex 221 or 3M 5200 or a windshield sealant available from an auto body supply house.........
madjack

p.s. Bill and Marjo's suggestion is valid as well..................MJ

That's what I'm doing. I'll let you know in a few months if it works. (BTW - I'm using 3M 4200. The blue screws are temporary. I'll remove them, squirt a little 3M 4200 in the screw holes, and replace them with the same size stainless screws.)

[asianflava]

I bought coiled aluminum from a place that repairs semi trailers. it was 16ft long and 105in wide. I had quite a bit of waste, but I also didn't want any seams. When I moved, I took the remaining coil to the recycler, it was 75lbs.

[mikeschn]

You could also mount your 4' wide aluminum like this...



Here's the Maxitear website...

http://www.maxitear.com/

Mike...

[Mayne]

Thanks all. I also found a little later in the morning that All rite sells 5+ wide in their roof section. I don't know how I missed that.

Mayne

[madjack]

...justawarnin'...AllRite is one of the priciest vendors out there...I would certainly look elsewhere first...if you are doing a mailorder thing, check on www.saf.com ...sell all types of sheet as well as molding...they used to do free shipping on orders over 200 pounds........................
madjack

p.s due to cost and availability, I use 4x10 sheets and cut them in half giving me 4x5 sheets...I turn them and overlap as previously mentioned......MJ

[Mayne]

Thanks for the tip!
The local metal supply is actually more expensive then Allrite, and Hollister is in my neck of the woods. I'll give SAF a shot to see if it will be cheaper though. I'm all for saving a buck when I can.

Mayne

[Billphish1]

Try B&B specialty metals Bakersfield CA. they sell 5X10 sheets or 5X12 040 mill finish have it shipped to your house wye mess with seams Good Luck and have fun with the build.