Has anyone used a very slow bonding adhesive that you would recommend for bonding the fenders on my 68. I bought some bonding adhesive ( Vette- Bond II ) from Corvette Central and it didn't say fast set in the catalog just on the can. This stuff sets up within four minutes with very little hardener giving you very little time to make adjustments. It seems like a good product for small bonding jobs but not suitable for fenders etc. that take time to adjust. What is the best product for fenders ?

 

That product, along with Evercoat panel adhesive, will set up in 5 min. or so. I like it fast, as all fitting and measuring is done prior to bonding. I usually have a helper standing by to help spread the adhesive and align the panel. Use reference marks and test-fit it prior to bonding.

 

3M 8115 Panel Bonding Adhesive.
I used it on my 68
Work time approx 1 hour depending on temperture
Only down side is the dispenser gun cost $150.00 or more.

 

I do prior fit,and mark Big G but the only help I can find around here are the bubba twins so I prefer to slop the adhesive myself. The bubba twins would probably glue themselves together. I've heard that some of the adhesives are slow setting and I am particular so I would prefer not to be rushed. Any ideas on another product would be appreciated.

 

That working time is perfect but the down side would hurt for one job.

 

One thing I have done to slow the kick time is put the adhesive in the refrigerator a few hours prior to use. Since heat accelerates the curing process, cold slows it. You can try using slightly less hardener, but be careful. Use too little and it won't ever harden.

 

I can't remember what we used on mine but it took 12 hours (could be accelerated with a heat gun) we adjusted for over an hour. Most imprtant job was the dry fit where we had to add and subtract glass on the bonding strips. Must have done at least 3 dry fits. Good luck with it.

http://s120.photobucket.com/albums/o190/coinwasher/

 

fusor 120 is what you are looking for. it sands and shapes well and is very strong.
http://www.lord.com/Home/ProductsSer...1/Default.aspx

 

Thanks, This product sounds like what I am looking for with a 45 minute working time and their site has a place to enter your zip code to find a supplier. It turns out there is a place within 15 miles from me that sells it. Thanks to everyone for your help.

 

45 minutes is pretty fast considering how many places you have to bond. I would use the quick stuff on just a quarter panel but man......... those front clips really take a lot of time. Fusor was what we used but it was the slow stuff.

 

I've been working in the adhesive industry for years. The original adhesive used on our C3's came from Goodyear. The adhesive was a two component urethane that required sanding of the composite and an MEK primer. Goodyear was purchased by Ashland and the adhesive is now produced under the brand "Pliogrip". If you tour the Bowling Green facility you will see Pliogrip in action bonding all the new Vette's.

You might be able to find Pliogrip at an aftermarket autopart store but doubt that Ashland would sell any adhesive to the general public. The Lord Fusor that was mentioned is an epoxy. I would sand any composite parts prior to bonding. Blow the dust off and make sure all the parts are clean. Apply a lot of adhesive and make sure you don't clamp to hard thus starving the bondline of the adhesive. Epoxies in the automotive industry usualy are cured with heat during a post bake or cure at room temperature. Only issue with curing at room temp is it takes a very long time to reach full streght. Just make sure you keep the parts clamped.,

My adhesive is a methacrylate based adhesive which is used throughout the transportation industry. You can pick it up at any home center under the brand "Plastic Welder". It cures very fast and should only be used for small parts. It has the strength of the Lord Fusor product with the flexibility of the Pliogrip.

Good Luck!

 

When you used the fusor, how long did you have to wait to take the clamps off ?

 

Great info, if I get to it this winter I'll be glueing the front on the '74 and want a slow glue

I helped a friend glue an ecklers fender on a '78
He purchased a Fusor product to attach the fender to the front metal support. stuff was very slow drying (12-24 hrs iirc) felt like silicone when dry. (was really unsure of the quality)

After it was dry we bonded the back of the fender with an Ecklers product
it hardened too fast .fender was out from the door a bit.

We figured we'd remove and reglue.
we broke it loose at the door
the fusor held so well, we would probably trash the fender,so we left it alone.
pulled it out 12-18" (still amased that the front was holding )
reground the bonding surfaces, and reglued the fender with a weaker batch.

v-groove and glass the splice thru headlight, 4 years and looks great
now he has to fix the factory gap on the other side

 

durabond..I think it's called...2 part adhesive, gun is about $50 and they have different adhesives for different work times and materials...i use it on tractor trailer hoods that take a lot of vibration..

 

The next morning

 

I used the Fusor 127 EZ when reattaching the Firewall to the Birdcage.



I screwed through the fiberglass and left it that way for about 1 1/2 days. Not because I needed to, I just didn't get back to her till then.

You can see more of how it looks here:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...107000&page=24

I found the "FUSOR MANUAL DISPENSER GUN" on e-bay for about $30 bucks.

The cheapest that I found the Fusor product was here:

http://www.sherwin-automotive.com/pr...t=29609&cat=75


I had to special order it at the local store. They had it listed for about $65 but since I had the web page printed out and with me, they gave it to me for $45.

Just don't use it in California. It's been know to cause cancer there.
(Yes, it says that on the package.)

Hope this helps.

KO


PS: Let me know how many tubes that it takes you. I'll be reattaching my front clip some day.

 

NORTON STRUCTURAL ADHESIVE. (speed grip) You can choose from different working time