Attached aluminium to wood? How?

[Scubieman]

Wondering how to attach aluminium to wood? Not sure what adhesive to use? I used liquid nails deck and subfloor for gluing wood to wood.

Thanks

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[Sparksalot]

Don't do it. The different expansion rates will resulting in "oil canning" of the aluminum skin when the sun shines on it.. Using trim pieces at the edges and openings will hold it in place.

[Scubieman]

So what do I do? A silicone and the edges?

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[tony.latham]

Don't use silicone. It's (mostly) corrosive to aluminum and nothing sticks to where it has been used. Used a good poly sealant such as OSI.

Dry fit the trim and then lay a bead of sealant inside the sealant and re-attache.





Tony

[Scubieman]

Only attached on edges? Otherwise it's free floating?

I only have Menards and Amazon where I am

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[tony.latham]

Otherwise it's free floating?

There are two camps. I fall into the free-floater group. Attaching a 10' piece of aluminum sheet with contact cement sounds like a good way to have a bad day.

It's attached along ever edge with trim except under the hurricane hinge.



Tony

[Scubieman]

Wow. I thought it should be glued and screwed in more spots. I guess I'm wrong. Only the edges

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[tony.latham]

Wow. I thought it should be glued and screwed in more spots. I guess I'm wrong. Only the edges

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Polyurethane the wood before you sheath it.

T

[halfdome, Danny]

Like it was mentioned there are two camps on the subject.
As a cabinetmaker using contact cement is a no brainer.
I’ve used it on the 6 teardrops I’ve made and a friend has done the same on 44 of the teardrops he has made.
To date no delamination or any other problems and mine have been in 103 degrees in full sunshine ☀️.
Contact cement is basically rubber and will not rip your plywood.
If you choose to use contact cement make sure you do a total coverage on the plywood and the scuffed up aluminum.
I use Wilsonart spray grade contact cement that is available in a 5 gallon bucket but it’s also available in 1 gallon.
Use a low nap roller and pan to apply.
I sand the backside of my aluminum with a 5” DA sander using 80 grit sandpaper.
Danny

[Scubieman]

Like it was mentioned there are two camps on the subject.
As a cabinetmaker using contact cement is a no brainer.
I’ve used it on the 6 teardrops I’ve made and a friend has done the same on 44 of the teardrops he has made.
To date no delamination or any other problems and mine have been in 103 degrees in full sunshine .
Contact cement is basically rubber and will not rip your plywood.
If you choose to use contact cement make sure you do a total coverage on the plywood and the scuffed up aluminum.
I use Wilsonart spray grade contact cement that is available in a 5 gallon bucket but it’s also available in 1 gallon.
Use a low nap roller and pan to apply.
I sand my aluminum with a 5” DA sander using 80 grit sandpaper.
Danny

Thanks

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[tony.latham]

I’ve used it on the 6 teardrops ...

Danny is one of those guys that when he "speaks," you should listen.

Tony

[halfdome, Danny]

Your welcome.
When I attach a 10’ sheet I have 2 plywood boxes the equal the height of the wall bottom of the level teardrop.
I then place equal sized strips of wood or dowels that are spaced about 16” to the tacky contact cement on the body.
Make sure they go past the top and bottom of the wall so the aluminum doesn't prematurely stick.
Then I place the sheet on the plywood boxes and tack the center of the sheet to the body.
Then start hand smoothing the sheet removing the strips as I go along.
It’s best to use a metal shear to rough cut the aluminum.
Use a high quality flush trim router bit to trim to the final profile.

Thanks Tony
Danny

[Scubieman]

My build is goofy. It's taller then 4feet. So I'm putting fascia at bottom then aluminium over that. I'm about one inch too short.

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[halfdome, Danny]

My build is goofy. It's taller then 4feet. So I'm putting fascia at bottom then aluminium over that. I'm about one inch too short.

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Here's what I do since my walls are more than 48" tall.

I butt joint the two pieces of aluminum and cover the joint with a 1/2" wide strip attached with the thin VHB tape, works great.
It's a smaller joint at the top.
Danny

[Scubieman]

My joint will be at bottom. Then I can curl over the wood of trailer.
I will out taller trim in. But this is kind of how I want it done.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/s3xZfK3pWjxqiP137

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