Bonding metal to fibreglass

[bee]

Hi all

Just purchased my dream Westfield, didn't have the space to be able to build one, but there is plenty of finishing off needed ....

Previous owner created additional holes in the bonnet for cooling ( I believe most V8's suffer with under bonnet temp )

I want to place some mesh grilles below the holes but I'm struggling to get advice on a good bonding solution

Sikaflex has been talked about on this forum as a good product, but would I need to ensure I get a specific version to ensure heat protection and flexibility ?

Any advice would be appreciated

Cheers

[peterg]

If I remember correctly, the grilles on my bonnet were held in with clear silicon sealant... and Sikaflex product should be OK, it;s not like they'll actually be touching hot parts of the engine  

[N_J]

Or you could lay some fibreglass matting around the edges and bond it with that. Repair kit from Halfords or alike.  

[Dave]

QUOTE

Or you could lay some fibreglass matting around the edges and bond it with that. Repair kit from Halfords or alike

just watch how hot th fiberglass gets when its curing as it can damage th gel coat on th top surface

[N_J]

True.. but just filled some scuttle holes ready for gel coat and it was OK.  

[FW500]

I used fibreglass to do the mesh for the vents on my FW kit. It's a bit fiddly but bodywork isn't really my thing. Someone a bit more patient might avoid making the underside of the bonnet look quite so splattered!

[RichP]

Arraldite? I've got some holding a bung in a water outlet in my inlet manifold and it's quite happy and will be a lot hotter than the bonnet would get.

[scruffythefirst]

I used Wurth Adhesive, simmilar to sikaflex.  Had no problems with the heat from the turbo directly below.  The heat haze through the vents after a hard run was massive.

I just smeared a thin layer all round and pressed the mesh into it.  Once dry I smeared another layer on top to fill up all the holes where the mesh was.

[Feity]

I would be carefull with araldite, i used it on my 5 to hold something in and when it got hot even from the sun heating it it got a bit gooey. On the other hand its holding my mesh on the grill and done that fine

[pistonbroke]

My tuppenth

Careful where you use epoxy products as raw epoxy degrades in UV light and goes a 'orrible cloudy milky color before it self destructs.

Using fiberglas is Ok but generally very messy stuff and a risk of ruining the gel coat finish if you aint careful .

Personaly I would use either a small tube of sikaflex or a silicone sealant , cost less than a fiver  

[Jeff2]

I used Sikaflex 201 on my V8 bonnet, it's been on for 2 years and I'll never be able to take it off - brilliant stuff

[bee]

Thanks guys very helpful ..... Sikaflex it is

[tex]

the strong stuff is sikaflex 221 comes in black white or grey.

Should be fine bonding that.. Essential is to make sure the surfaces really are clean and make sure you leave it for at least 24 hours

[pistonbroke]

the strong stuff is sikaflex 221 comes in black white or grey.

Should be fine bonding that.. Essential is to make sure the surfaces really are clean and make sure you leave it for at least 24 hours

Its all strong , he's only wanting to stick a bit of metal grill to the bonnet ,  use any of 'em with confidence .