Contact adhesive - fixing fireproof engine bay Material

[leegpz]

My engine bay fireproofing has come loose and I need to refix it. Can anyone advise the best way? The foam is pretty old and I'm concerned that it will crumble off. I am considering giving it a coat of epoxy, letting that dry and then epoxying it in place. Alternatively is it ok to use a thick contact adhesive? I'm not sure if this would be ok with GRP

 

[bigwow]

If the foam is old and disintergrating the only answer is to bin it.

 

[leegpz]

It's not disintegrating generally, just not in the first flush of youth! Even new foam would be tricky to fix. Just wondering how it's usually done

 

[samwise]

If it is just foam i.e. without any foil or other barrier, bin it. If it has been there a while it is probably impregnated with oil etc that will make it a risk rather than a protection. I encountered this on our previous boat and ripped it all out and replaced with proper fireproof insulation, with lead barrier and foil. You can get various thicknesses which helps if space is tight. You will then have a safer engine compartment plus reduced noise intrusion from the old iron spinnaker. Halyard do some good stuff, but have a look at our friends ASAP Supplies who do Quietlife which is cheaper.

 

[leegpz]

Hi

The foam is not too bad, does include a lead barrier and is of fairly high quality. I just want to know how best to fix it.

 

[john_morris_uk]

I used contact adhesive - by the tin! I found the 'adjustable' blue tinned stuff pretty good and have insulated two engine bays with this glue.

 

[pvb]

Thixotropic adhesive...

Thixotropic (non-drip) contact adhesive is the easiest to use, and seems to grip well. Brands such as Evostik Timebond, Dunlop Thixofix, etc. One word of caution - you must ensure lots of ventilation, forced if possible, as the fumes are rather nasty.

 

[leegpz]

Thanks guys, I was hoping contact adhesive would do the job!

Good point about the ventilation too! A fan heater set to blow should do the job!

Thanks again.

 

[jeremyshaw]

Do take the point about ventilation seriously. A friend got seriously 'drunk' after doing a forepeak headlining with contact adhesive and had to be restrained.

 

[pvb]

Ventilation...

Yes, ventilation is essential. My worst experience of using Thixofix was constructing a Formica-lined shower cubicle in the ensuite in our guest bedroom. More effective than recreational drugs! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[mflynn1971]

I recently installed Quietlife foam. I used evostik and screwed it in places as well. I found the screws easier and the foam lead join failed in a few places so it required screws. The foam also soaks up alot of adhesive.
Mike

 

[2Tizwoz]

I did mine with a cartridge of nail and seal but there are lots of adhesives such as these from Toolstation for around a £1 which will fix foam without solvents.

 

[Danny Jo]

Re: Thixotropic adhesive...

I replaced my engine insulation recently and using Evostick Timebond. I had to wait ages at B&Q while they fetched it from the safe. Best done on a breezy day with the hatches open.

Don't be fooled by the claim, on the tin, that it allows repositioning. If you are just sticking loose flappy edges down, you'll have to work out a way of allowing the two surfaces to become tack-dry before squeezing them together.