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Bob's RV-8 Build Site
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Date:  11-9-2019
Number of Hours:  0.00
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  Prepping and Sika Bonding #4-continued

e) I called the Sika company to get some information on working times for the material and spoke with an engineer. The Aktivator has to be re-applied after 2 hours if nothing is put on top of it. But once the Primer is put over the Aktivator, you have 24 hours to place the Sika over the primer. He told me that many plants that use it lay down the primer and bond with Sika the next day. The only caution – if the area is dusty, dust will stick to the primer and could effect the bond (example outdoors, high dust areas….etc). So that’s the scoop on working times.
I began laying the bead on the underside of the canopy frame as stated earlier. I worked methodically and slowly and the Sika seemed to lay down well. It’s really like calking anything else. Just make sure to get a good fill without leaving pockets of air.
Once the underside was complete, my wife and I turned the canopy assembly back over and set it on the stand I made. I then got under on the small roller stool and began doing the top portion of the sides. The stand REALLY helped as it gave me a comfortable position to work from and great access. I kept working the bead. I then took the glove and put on the additional “finger condom” and began smoothing the bead. It is kind of art. Make sure to dip your finger in water before smoothing….it really helps. After going back and forth working the bead I came to the point where it looked good to me. Then after a final inspection I walked away to let it cure. Later that day I went down and pulled off the first layer of tape.

I determined to only do the sides of the canopy and save the front bow for another setting. I am glad I did because it is a bit stressful and more work than you think to get things good. Remember, you are trying to get it close but you will probably put on some cosmetic finishing after pulling off the first tape layer and prior to pulling off the second tape layer.

By the time it was said and done I used just a smidge less than one tube of Sika.
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Action shot 1

Action shot 1

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Action Shot 2

Action Shot 2

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Clamped and curing

Clamped and curing

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