Attaching metal to fiberglass

[UP N MTNS]

Guys I need some help.

I'm going to be attaching some small 1"x2" metal L brackets to the inside of a truck cap(shell). They will only be holding up some side window curtains, no weight to them at all. Any advice on what I should use to "glue" the brackets to the fiberglass? Epoxy,resen,etc...



Thanks for any advice.



Adam

 

[BigPapa]

I've used epoxy with good success. In one topper I epoxied a large hook to the top on both sides with a broom handle in between that we carried probably 30-35 pounds of hanging clothes on several times. I've also used silicone for light weight jobs like lights and keeping wires in place. Make sure to rough both sides up GOOD. Especially the metal. Anytime anything came loose, it was the metal that let go, not the fiberglass.



Scott

 

[UP N MTNS]

I've used epoxy with good success. In one topper I epoxied a large hook to the top on both sides with a broom handle in between that we carried probably 30-35 pounds of hanging clothes on several times. I've also used silicone for light weight jobs like lights and keeping wires in place. Make sure to rough both sides up GOOD. Especially the metal. Anytime anything came loose, it was the metal that let go, not the fiberglass.



Scott

Well if epoxy held up your "clothes rack" I will give it a shot,thanks Scott.

 

[ScottLewis]

If you wipe down the area with acetone before gluing, you will get an even better bond.



Dan

 

[GHarman]

Both mirror housings were broken off at the side doors,this year, on our Subaru. My Wife picked up some glue/ epoxy called "Bondini" gel (CYANOACRYLATE) at W--mart. It says it will bond to just about anything except; glass, polypropolene, polyethelene. No shock loading and no emersion in water. Those mirror housings ( heated, electrically adjustable) are not light weight and the car is parked outside. So far they are holding! :--) Comes in a 0. 14 OZ bottle. Keep it offen your fingers or it will fuse'em together and PLEASE! dont pick your nose. :-laf I wouldnt want to read about some poor soul who had to have his digit surgically removed from his BEAK! GregH

 

[CBari]

2 words





Gorilla Glue



It is the strongest stuff I have ever used.

 

[JSellers]

small 1"x2" metal L brackets to the inside of a truck cap(shell

Adam,



I did a similar thing to a Leer topper on my older truck - used hanger brackets with D-rings attached for tie down anchor points. They never came loose.



After grinding down just a bit of the inside of the shell (for good adhesion) I glued the brackets to the shell using JB Weld. Any good epoxy will work, since the next step will provide the strength.



Using a small fiberglass kit, I cut some stranded pieces and laminated 3 or 4 layers over the hanger brackets. Overlapping the brackets with the stranded layers made sure I had a good bond with the fiberglass shell. I ended up with the bracket encapsulated in fiberglass, which was bonded to the original shell. These tie down anchors lasted as long as I owned the truck, and many times held large loads.



Hope this helps,

John

 

[JHardwick]

Adam,



I did a similar thing to a Leer topper on my older truck - used hanger brackets with D-rings attached for tie down anchor points. They never came loose.



After grinding down just a bit of the inside of the shell (for good adhesion) I glued the brackets to the shell using JB Weld. Any good epoxy will work, since the next step will provide the strength.



Using a small fiberglass kit, I cut some stranded pieces and laminated 3 or 4 layers over the hanger brackets. Overlapping the brackets with the stranded layers made sure I had a good bond with the fiberglass shell. I ended up with the bracket encapsulated in fiberglass, which was bonded to the original shell. These tie down anchors lasted as long as I owned the truck, and many times held large loads.



Hope this helps,

John

This will work exceptionally well, it can even be painted afterwards and it'll look factory. Just don't forget ventilation ... ... . polyester resin can get you feeling a little woozy.