SimonBrown

Active Member
Izzy is going to need some remedial repairs and patching and there is a strong desire to keep the number of rivets - particularly visible ones - down to what is necessary.

So current thinking is modern 2 part expoxy adhesives, the stuff used extensively by the modern motor industry for assembly and repair, will be a sensible choice. A few years ago I did some work for a high value/low volume automotive manufacturer and their entire tub was glued together with zero welding. It was as stiff/rigid as you like.

Has anyone gone this route with repairs?

The 3M stuff looks capable but on the expensive side (this stuff) The applicator guns can be eye wateringly expensive. But its cured without baking and with replacable nozzles the cartridges could be sealed and reused for a little time. It bonds to alloy and steel so some of the upper body corner brackets can be refixed after plating with no need to drill through the outer skin.

Anyone worked with this? Or an alternative?

Or is the idea daft and should I just embrace the "50,000 rivets in loose formation Shackleton" look?
 
I think the fact the alloy sheet is flat is going to be your biggest enemy, ie it can wibble/wobble like a thunder sound board is going to make a glued joint fail.
 
I think the fact the alloy sheet is flat is going to be your biggest enemy, ie it can wibble/wobble like a thunder sound board is going to make a glued joint fail.
Good point. Its smaller, more localised areas where there is already a fold/stiffener I'm thinking about.

Like these:

20250518-0012.jpg
20250518-0013.jpg
20250518-0014.jpg


The last one is a historical repair that needs redoing.

The adhesive would not be used alone, but would cut down the number of rivets needed plus keep the moisture out of the joint.
 
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How about something like this which is a 2 pack but uses a normal cartridge gun?
That looks interesting. I searched for structural adhesive when I renewed the slam plates on my front doors and if I had seen that I would’ve given it a go at that price. I ended up using a cheaper small two part epoxy and it was crap.
 
That looks interesting. I searched for structural adhesive when I renewed the slam plates on my front doors and if I had seen that I would’ve given it a go at that price. I ended up using a cheaper small two part epoxy and it was crap.
That might be crap, never used it, 3M is probably good but the cost seems very prohibitive for the casual user.
 
That might be crap, never used it, 3M is probably good but the cost seems very prohibitive for the casual user.
3M will be the proper gear. I’m sure I asked YRM when I got the replacement part what they recommended and it was 3M, buts it’s stupid money just to use a very small amount of it. I’ve saved this seller and if it’s still on the go next time I need it I’ll definitely give it a try.
 
How about something like this which is a 2 pack but uses a normal cartridge gun?
That looks like its worth a go.

A quick search around for Optima didnt find many results on t'interweb. So the nagging concern is how old is their stock and what's the shelf life? (Edit: data sheet says 2 year shelf life unopened container).

Will see if I can find a supplier.

I guess buying 3M is a bit like buying and IBM computer back in the 80s...no one is going to sack you for that decision. And there is a good chance it will work.
 
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That looks like its worth a go.

A quick search around for Optima didnt find many results on t'interweb. So the nagging concern is how old is their stock and what's the shelf life?

Will see if I can find a supplier.

I guess buying 3M is a bit like buying and IBM computer back in the 90s...no one is going to sack you for that decision. And there is a good chance it will work.
It’s worth a punt at £20 surely. Try it on a test piece and then let me know how it works. That way it’ll save me wasting 20 quid 😁
 
I think Sikaflex do a similar tube where you use a standard gun. I think Optima 'might' be budget type products mostly sold to the trade.
Have used sikaflex. Hold the doors/windows onto the side of a horse lorry.
Also used this for blanking off alpines/rear door/rear passenger doors with Ali.
Yep it’s pricey but worth it.

Can’t remember if it contains stuff that paint don’t stick to or reacts to
 
Good point. Its smaller, more localised areas where there is already a fold/stiffener I'm thinking about.

Like these:

View attachment 341304View attachment 341305View attachment 341306

The last one is a historical repair that needs redoing.

The adhesive would not be used alone, but would cut down the number of rivets needed plus keep the moisture out of the joint.
I have a couple of similar repairs to undertake on my replacement station wagon tub. My plan was to use tigerseal (or sikaflex, i am not brand loyal!) to glue the repair plate in place along with some rivets. I am not trying to achieve a perfect finish so am not trying to make invisible repairs. I have a large sheets of 3mm ali to cut the relevant parts from, but have the bottom edge simialr to you, and some parts of the wheels box to do.
 

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