aluminum cladding

[eric wolf]

When applying the aluminum cladding do you glue the full surface or just the perimeter?

[halfdome, Danny]

There's two camps on this issue.

Camp A : They use the aluminum trim to hold the aluminum on without any glue and seal the raw wood.

Camp B: They apply contact cement on both the aluminum and teardrop sides covering 100% of the surfaces. The glue is the wood sealant.

I'm a member of camp B.

The choice is yours.

This subject has been discussed in great length & more information can be found with the search feature at the top of the page. Danny

[DMcCam]

Hey Danny, would it also be a good idea to seal the wood underneath even if you are gluing the aluminum on anyway? An extra ounce of prevention perhaps?

Regards,

Dave

[madjack]

...and I am in Camp B...I use a couple of well placed (air driven) staples to hold/locate the AL in place until all the trim, fenders, vents, lights, etc. are in place to permanently hold the AL...either way will work..............
madjack

[aggie79]

...I'm in Camp "C".

I sealed the plywood with epoxy first. Then I applied a bead of 3M 4200 sealant/adhesive around the perimeter and door, vent fan, and other openings.



The aluminum was set in place and held with a few staples, some clamps, and lots of blue tape.



Lastly, as in both Camp A and Camp B, the aluminum is also held in place by edge trim. doors, vent fan, electrical inlet, etc.

[Steve_Cox]

When applying the aluminum cladding do you glue the full surface or just the perimeter?

Eric,

What hasn't been mentioned yet was the expansion rate of the aluminum is much greater than the wood when the trailer is in the sun and a good portion of the adhesive when cured will separate from one side or the other. That is why many just "float" the aluminum sealing the edges and holding it in place with the trim. Most agree though it is very important to seal the end grain of plywood that might eventually get exposed to water intrusion to prevent de-lamination.

[Thawley]

What hasn't been mentioned yet was the expansion rate of the aluminum is much greater than the wood when the trailer is in the sun and a good portion of the adhesive when cured will separate from one side or the other.

Curious if anyone's got engineering data or test results about the relative amounts of expansion/contraction and the roll color/finish plays. Safe bet silver and black will behave differently over 8-10'.

[GRUMPYBAGDER]

How are most people fixing the edging trim in place?.

[aggie79]

How are most people fixing the edging trim in place?.

I pre-drilled holes for screws, injected sealant into the screw holes, layed down a bead of sealant, applied the trim, and fastened it in place with stainless steel screws.

[GRUMPYBAGDER]

Did the screws go right through the trim and the panel?.

[halfdome, Danny]

What hasn't been mentioned yet was the expansion rate of the aluminum is much greater than the wood when the trailer is in the sun and a good portion of the adhesive when cured will separate from one side or the other.

Curious if anyone's got engineering data or test results about the relative amounts of expansion/contraction and the roll color/finish plays. Safe bet silver and black will behave differently over 8-10'.

I've built 3 teardrops with contact adhesive applied to the side aluminum and haven't experienced any delamination or oil canning and they have set out in the hot sun for days. I've been laminating panels for 45 years as a professional Cabinetmaker and know the proper way to bond with contact cement. The instructions are right on the can.
So far no one to my knowledge has supplied scientific proof that proper application of aluminum will release from plywood (a stable panel) using contact cement. Danny

Edit: Here's a photo of the side that sat out in the direct sun yesterday for 5 hours. It was a clear 80+ degree day. It's just as flat as the day I made it. Danny

[GRUMPYBAGDER]

Just to demonstrate a little more of my ignorance, Is the aluminium skin just for show, or is there a real world benefit to having a metal skin?.
Both styles seem equally represented in the gallery.

[halfdome, Danny]

Just to demonstrate a little more of my ignorance, Is the aluminium skin just for show, or is there a real world benefit to having a metal skin?.
Both styles seem equally represented in the gallery.

Properly applied aluminum will out last painted sides that require periodic maintenance. Aluminum is more expensive initially but a bargain in the long haul. Danny

[Thawley]

I've built 3 teardrops with contact adhesive applied to the side aluminum and haven't experienced any delamination or oil canning and they have set out in the hot sun for days. I've been laminating panels for 45 years as a professional Cabinetmaker and know the proper way to bond with contact cement. The instructions are right on the can.
So far no one to my knowledge has supplied scientific proof that proper application of aluminum will release from plywood (a stable panel) using contact cement.

Thanks Danny – that's been my (limited) experience as well.

I don't question that there are expansion behavior differences between aluminum and plywood. No doubt there are. My thing is, should I care? Variables like storage location, average local temperature and age of the trailer (or expected life span) might have more to do with it than not.

[aggie79]

Did the screws go right through the trim and the panel?.

Yes, the screws went through the aluminum. I pre-drilled holes to match the screw threads. I then came back and drilled the aluminum sheeting using a large bit to allow a bit of "wiggle" in the trim and aluminum sheeting. (I used the wider, washer head screws.)