What’s the easiest, cheapest way to glue FRP to a painted bath/shower wall. Regular FRP glue in stores isn’t for non-porous surfaces. Sand the paint? Then I’m down past the paper on the dry wall. 1/4 inch drywall? Luan? Expensive FRP glue for non-porous surfaces that no body has?
uncle
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Replies
uncle
easiest and cheapest also comes with the disclaimer of most likely to fail or give you a compromised install.
Here's what I would find: from Franklin Adhesives
http://www.titebond.com/product.aspx?id=d20b39a8-adca-4ba0-86ee-0bd6cf34af3e
you might also search Henry Adhesives-another decent quality adhesive company.
All should be troweled on, not tube gun applied.
Spot gluing, squiggle lines and anything less than full coverage are not recommended. The movement differences between the substrate and FRP could break the bond over time.
If you want to take a chance-use PL Premium (if applicable for FRP panels-check the specs.) It is tube applied. Glue the battens, corner and other trims along with blob/spot gluing OFTEN of the panels. PL Prem. will glue most anything to anything. Make sure it won't eat a hole in your panels.
Thanks for the replies. I suppose the best is to find something both the adhesive manufacturer and FRP manufacturer agree will work on a painted bath wall. The Titebond stuff is definitely the good stuff, though a bit pricey - 130 bucks for about 3 gallons. That and nobody stocks it.
Again, thanks for the feedbacks!
Though this guy "DoRight" wouldn't like this advice.............
I'd take a look at Henry's site-see if something pops up re. FRP. But I know I'd call Franklin in Columbus, Ohio and talk to one of their knowledgable folks-explain your job, the amount of FRP to apply etc. They do want to sell their products, but they don't sell things that don't work for your specific application.
If you used Qt. sized tubes of PL Prem..........I wouldn't imagine you'd get but 2 sheets per tube. At 8 bucks or so, how much would that cost you?
If you applied it, then combed with a notched trowel..........would that work much like using other trowel grade out of a bucket? Would it be ok with FRP? It has a short working time, so you'd have to hit'it and get'it.
I think the problem is that the obvious choices -- solvent-based mastics -- are apt to damage the "matrix" material. Wouldn't be a problem if the matrix is epoxy or polyester resin, but I don't think you can count on that.
Don't know as all FRP is the same, but the Kalwall product works great with PL Premium, which will stick to almost anything. I'm using it to glue FRP to aluminum where the epoxy failed that Kalwall used. Only one area where Kalwall advice for their products was just plain wrong. Biggest problem for your application that I know of is long clamping time. You're also relying on your paint being sound, but you already knew that.
Always a good plan to test a small area first. Four bucks and change for a small tube of PL Premium. Contact cement is another possibility, no clamping.