Cleaning up after Sikaflex.

[Huttoft]

I'm stripping down cabin windows ready to replace the crazed and leaking original perspex with polycarbonate. I'll be using Sikaflex 295 UV to seal the job together again. Can someone tell me what I should use, that is compatible with the poly and the Sikaflex, to clean up all the expected mess I'll be making with excess sealant?
Good luck.

 

[charles_reed]

usa.sika.com/dms/getredirect.get/us01.webdms.sika.com/987

 

[Gordonmc]

Big Wipes Industrial from B&Q work for me.
They come in a yellow tub with about 80 wipes for just under £9.
When used just chuck them in a bucket lined with a bin bag.

 

[webcraft]

Ordinary baby wipes work well on fresh Sikaflex within the first 5 mins or so. Buy several packs and use liberally.

- W

 

[john_morris_uk]

I use lots of cloth/kitchen wipes and white spirit. The white spirit is used more as a lubricant than a solvent, but you can end up with a very neat edge with a bit of practice. Twas a boat builder that taught me how to do it.

Once the Sika Flex has hardened I haven't found any solvent that will touch it so wipe it all off while its still runny.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

..... Sikaflex 295 UV to seal the job together again.....

Consider using a mastic type tape such as Arbosil GZMastic Strip as noted in the link below. I have used this on my aluminium window frames and they have been 100% waterproof though all the gales and heavy rain at sea and in the marina since installation; only 2 years in my case. The gap filling properties are excellent as my aluminium frames and GRP had been damaged and were not flush in some places. No mess, no clean up, windows can be removed and repositioned if offered up wrongly . In fact the adhesive sealant (maybe it was Sikaflex) damaged the GRP when removing the frames for refurbishment. The stuff gets a good write up and is known to last for 20+ years in other applications as noted here: http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/boat_projects

Arbosil GZ Mastic Tape http://hadlo-43547-001.dsvr.co.uk/Pages/Sealants.html No connection, just a satisfied customer. I self fitted my refurbished windows.

To clean up set Sikaflex I found two stroke mix and stainless steel pan scouring pads efficient.

 

[SAMYL]

Cellulose thinners works well.

Not sure how it would react with perspex though, try a sample piece first.

 

[Tranona]

Probably would not use Sikaflex. The butyl sealants either from a tube or strips are the recommended sealers. If you are using Sikaflex then best to mask off the edges and cut the excess off after it has cured. You get a nice clean edge then.

 

[rivonia]

We re-did all our windows four years ago. We did not use Sikaflex but used a rubber compound mix/sealant from B&Q. It is still sealing the windows and hopefully will last for many more years.

The most important thing is to mask off EVERYTHING then check and re-check the masking. Once the sealant is on and the windows bedded in just smooth off the sealant with warm very soapy fairy liquid.= Job done. Then very very carefully remove all masking tape.

Good luck

Peter

 

[sailorman]

a stick about 15m/m wide with a 30deg angle like a chisel, well wetted will peel off the un cured mastic

We re-did all our windows four years ago. We did not use Sikaflex but used a rubber compound mix/sealant from B&Q. It is still sealing the windows and hopefully will last for many more years.

The most important thing is to mask off EVERYTHING then check and re-check the masking. Once the sealant is on and the windows bedded in just smooth off the sealant with warm very soapy fairy liquid.= Job done. Then very very carefully remove all masking tape.

Good luck

Peter

 

[michael_w]

Use all the sikaflex cleaners and primers, yes they cost a fortune but you only want to do this job once.