Mark G
Active Member
Has anyone used VHB (very high bond) double-sided tape for installing Perspex windows instead of fasteners?
Using VHB double-sided tape for installing Perspex windows
- Thread starter Mark G
- Start date
Robin B
Well-Known Member
Make sure you have the right variant of VHB - there are many.
Gordonmc
Well-Known Member
Yes.
Although I used polycarbonate for the glazing, not Perspex.
I was attracted to omitting fasteners as they are the cause of failure.
On advice from an Australian website I used 2.5mm VHB instead of the normally available 1.5mm which allows for greater contraction and expansion of the glazing. The VHB went inside butyl tape.
Before fitting I sprayed the inside of the glazing with high temperature matt black paint to hide the VHB and butyl, using the protective film as a mask.
The tricky part was offering up the glazing because once the VHB makes contact it is stuck fast.
I did ten windows in July this year and so far none have come away and all are watertight.
Next job will be to repeat the exercise on my companionway hatch which is cracking up around the steel fasteners.
Although I used polycarbonate for the glazing, not Perspex.
I was attracted to omitting fasteners as they are the cause of failure.
On advice from an Australian website I used 2.5mm VHB instead of the normally available 1.5mm which allows for greater contraction and expansion of the glazing. The VHB went inside butyl tape.
Before fitting I sprayed the inside of the glazing with high temperature matt black paint to hide the VHB and butyl, using the protective film as a mask.
The tricky part was offering up the glazing because once the VHB makes contact it is stuck fast.
I did ten windows in July this year and so far none have come away and all are watertight.
Next job will be to repeat the exercise on my companionway hatch which is cracking up around the steel fasteners.
30boat
N/A
I've been researching UHB double side tapes and this one appears to be the strongest .
http://www.findtape.com/product323/3M-Scotch-4950-VHB-Tape.aspx?idx=34&tid=2&info=UHB
http://www.findtape.com/product323/3M-Scotch-4950-VHB-Tape.aspx?idx=34&tid=2&info=UHB
Mark G
Active Member
Your experience is encouraging. Can you remember the part number of the tape?
I am assuming that your windows were stuck onto the GRP with an overlap joint. How much overlap did you have?
Mark