I have been reading for days, but still not sure

[fishfreek]

Hello to all the Foamies out there.... I have completed one teardrop build viewtopic.php?f=50&t=54054 and now I am designing a foamie / standie to start very soon but I have a couple questions that I can't seem to find answers to in all the threads I have read.

I see a lot of folks using GG to attach walls and wood trim in their foamies. I also see A LOT of problems ie. Seperation, panels busting , unnecessary gaps and such caused by using GG. Is there a GOOD alternative like TB2? or is just not strong enough for these vital joints?


Is there a reason vinyl or composite wood isn't used more? Has it been used but has a poor history or other reasons?





Once I get my final size determined I am having an aluminum frame built with torsion axles and a dropped floor to allow a little more standing room without making the roof line any higher than it needs to be. We will see what happens when the build begins. I am hoping to start by August.

[wagondude]

TBII works. Also the foam in a can will glue the foam to the wood. To use it as a glue, spray out a bead then tamp it down with a brush to a liquid consistency. You can also use foam board construction adhesive. The main reason for not using the wood/composite (I'm guessing you mean like Trex decking) is it is very heavy without a lot of strength for the weight. The vinyl is even worse with the lack of strength. It is light enough, but needs structural support.

[GPW]

QUOTE: “ I also see A LOT of problems ie. Seperation, panels busting , unnecessary gaps and such caused by using GG. “ ... Where ???

[Mary C]

Ok, I am the only one who has mentioned anything negative about GG. I hate the stuff but for my own personal reasons I had some in my hand last night ..........I almost got some but decided that TBII will just have to work. No money. A few years ago I ruined a wood bench that was an antique. It was very expensive. I then used it on a vase and ruined it too. In a way it was my fault because I did not clamp. The one thing I see as an advantage is that if you have a little space between the wood and foam it will expand some to take up that room forming a nice complete seal. TBII is the glue that I am using. I tried using the great stuff and it works too. but you have to put it down stir out the foamie stuff and then apply the two pieces together. I have had good results with TBII and the only problem I have with it so far is the time to dry. I am not patient I got in a hurry and had a little problem but that wind and where I had the piece is also involved. With 90 to 100% humidity it is taking longer to dry, 48 hours not 24. TBII is wood glue and I have been using it with wood for a very long time and have not had a problem using it except with wood over 100 years old that had been glued over and over. Just remember that it takes a little longer to dry but the hold is strong. I used Gripper but I was not impressed with the drying time it was very wet after 24 hours and 36 hours. where I used it it has taken 72 hours for it to be sticking, of course it was 90 to 100% humidity.

Many people who have built foamies have had success with GG and I am impressed with their clamping expertise. I am happy they have had success. I have not heard anyone who has not been happy with their results. I think it is a matter of choice I am on a budget and think thrifty. It is just a matter of preference. with me and a few of us...... money.

Good Luck with your build and please post lots of


Mary C.

[GPW]

Mary , if it’s any consolation, we’ve used only TB2 for the FoamStream , aside from a little of that caulk gun Liquid nails stuff , just for attaching frames to the floor (wood to wood )... I’ve really had no occasion to utilize gorilla Glue this time , The T2 working well for everything so far ...which has been skeleton assembly (plywood), skeleton to floor joining, and foam to skeleton joining ... No problems given “overnight” to dry ... However, we have used Great Stuff for crack and void filling .. just not for gluing ...

[eaglesdare]

I have no bad issue with using GG. As long as you can clamp the pieces, GG works good. My only real negative I can think of is that its a mess and a pita to get off your hands. Forget clothes, its not coming off those.

When we took apart my second build, we had to use a jig saw to cut thru the GG joints. That build was just not going to come apart.

I don't recall anyone using GG for any reason other than to connect foam to foam/wood? I do know I have some separation on my hatch in a couple of spots, could be easily fixed with another round of gg and a good clamping. I think that might have been my problem to start with. I think you need a good clamp to get the good seal. Also putting a screw thru the two pieces helps a lot.

Don't forget the pics on your foamie build.

[atahoekid]

Here's the list of things I've used as adhesives during my build.

Gripper - canvas to foam (large areas)
Thinned TB II - canvas to foam (ran out of Gripper)
TB II (full strength) pesky corners of canvas to foam and wood to wood in cabinets, bulkheads
GG - Foam to foam (smaller areas and face gluing) and wood to foam
Great Stuff - Emergency Road Repair on fender skirt (foam to foam) AMAZING!!!!
Epoxy (thin) fiberglass to foam
Epoxy (thickened) Trailer floor, side walls to trailer floor, roof to side walls, platform to trailer floor, bulkheads to trailer floor, foam to foam butt joints

I don't think I realized it at the time, but I've used almost every product that someone on this thread has mentioned and has gained a following. I'm happy with all of them. There have been no failures in bonding. (Despite the fact that I've inadvertently tried to destroy my trailer twice now ) I think choice of where you're using it is important, as is consideration of clamping time, workability, tack time, etc., etc., etc. I live in a dry environment so humidity doesn't play a role for me. When using GG, I'm pretty liberal with the water spray. You also can't have enough clamps. I think I own about 30 and wish I had more. Rolls of tape also come in handy. Glue takes patience. I've worked on a lot of different projects and I know I've waited a lot of hours waiting for things to dry. It's easier to clamp it, leave it to dry and move on to something else while it does dry. I've noticed the shorter the work time, the messier the glue tends to be for me. If I can take my time and get it to set just right, I'm willing to wait for it to tack up. Hope this eases your mind about choice of adhesive. P.S. Use disposable gloves when working with GG. It turns the skin a LOVELY shade of black. Epoxy needs gloves, too. It doesn't wash off..