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awning rail fitting

C

carl_374234899

can any one advise me on fitting awning rails and if we could use glue alone. we want to fit a small rail under existing rail for a porch awning. leaving the top for our canapy. many thanks
 
There are various sealing strips and mastics that go under the rails to prvent water getting in the screw or rivet holes.

I use Sikaflex 221. On a clean surface and done with thought and care Sikaflex should hold the rail safely with no need for drilling or screws or rivets!
 
No expert in these matters but would have thought glue alone would not be strong enough as when very windy it often creates a suction effect pulling the awning away from the van so not sure if glue would hold no matter what type is used,if glue would do I am sure manufaturers of vans would do it that way.Which leaves srews but then the problem what to screw into just going into an aluminium panel would not be strong enough.
 
Sikaflex will hold the awining with no problem if applied to a good clean dry surfaces and allowed to cure fully. It will give a complete even load spread rather that having screws or rivets pulling through an Ali panel or splitting fibre glass.

A 3" x 1.5"plate bonded with sikaflex to a vehicle side correctly would hold my weight when I was over 20 stones.
 
Sikaflex 221 is a polyurethane based adhesive that cures to form a strong, water-proof and flexible joint. It is used in caravan construction and used to bond car windscreens to the body.

However Sikaflex 221s is a bu@@er to remove, and the bond can be so strong as to cause damage when you do prise the parts apart.

And because it has a high adhesive strength, it's ultimately not as flexible as a pure butyl mastic sealer - like Hodgson Phoenix or Caraseal 303

Over on our Eriba owners forum, where Eribae from the 1960's pop-up regularly with re-sealing questions, the recommendation is to use a 100% butyl mastic - this is very flexible, has a life expectancy of 20+ years, and a low "tack" grip - and doesn't "set" so it's easy to break apart after another 20+ years

Suppliers include Hodgson Sealants in North Humberside or Caraseal from most caravan service centres.

Robert
 
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