Bonding solar panel to vinyl wrap

[mlh677]

I have hit a snag fixing a replacement solar panel to 3M vinyl on my poptop and am looking for advice, please.

After spending far too much time removing a failed solar panel from my pop top roof I decided to follow forum advice and bond its replacement to some 3M wrap.

I used Soudaflex to bond my new panel to a gloss 3m 2080 wrap, though I noticed that my panel had lifted away from the gloss vinyl after a number of days... I found that the whole panel could be removed from the roof of my van effortlesly - and I then spent a number of hours removing lots of cured Soudaflex from the panel itself.

I initially figured that my issue could be the gloss vinyl and have since tried some test bonds with a matte 3m 2080 wrap instead. Both Soudaflex and CT1 adhesives failed to bond to the vinyl; I have not yet had a chance to try Sikaflex EBT+ which is my usual "go to" for such jobs.

Before I get impatient and stick the panel directly to my pop-top (which is guaranteed to create a lot of work should it need to be removed in a few years time) can anybody please advise if you know definitively of a product I could use to bond the solar panel to some 3m 2080 wrap - and/or should I be doing something to prepare the vinyl surface itself before application?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[Toffermora]

I will be interested to see what others suggest on this because I have had similar problems, mine has stuck well in places but not others onto a Matt vinyl. I am sure I read somewhere that the vinyl needs a really good clean (maybe panel wipe) before glueing due to release agents they use in manufacturing. Maybe also roughing up where you are due to glue would also help?

 

[kipperman]

This is only a suggestion - but we were advised to use this to prepare a surface for bonding where there could be silicon residue - might be worth a whizz.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Autoglym-Intensive-Tar-Remover-500ml/dp/B0CK4DPKHJ/ref=asc_df_B0CK4DPKHJ/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=676294675366&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5343402489660651993&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006897&hvtargid=pla-2295835328332&psc=1&mcid=df4ae2cb87c938078e90efa73713644a&th=1&psc=1&gad_source=1

 

[Jollyvan]

I used Sikaflex onto a new gloss wrapped roof without a problem. Hope this helps.

 

[Salty Spuds]

I used Sticks like sh1t to bond my brackets to matt black wrap. I cleaned the wrapped surface with panel wipe first.

 

[mlh677]

All, many thanks for the above advice.

I made further test bonds after application of Steyer Panel Wipe ('fast degreaser & silicon remover') with a few different polyurethane adhesives, but this did not work for me.

I did not get a chance to try Sticks like sh*t, but that would have been my next attempt had I not found success with sandpaper. @Toffermora - thanks for the suggestion!

After sanding the top layer of vinyl wrap I used the panel wipe - which picked up a lot of 'black' residue from the sanded vinyl - before using Sikaflex to bond the panel. I also used 5mm tile spacers once again to achieve a good install, as recommended elsewhere on the forum.

The last few days have brought a good range of temperature/weather conditions and the panel seems to be attached securely.

I will keep a close eye on things over the coming weeks and months, although the signs certainly look promising so far!

 

[ginkster]

All, many thanks for the above advice.

I made further test bonds after application of Steyer Panel Wipe ('fast degreaser & silicon remover') with a few different polyurethane adhesives, but this did not work for me.

I did not get a chance to try Sticks like sh*t, but that would have been my next attempt had I not found success with sandpaper. @Toffermora - thanks for the suggestion!

After sanding the top layer of vinyl wrap I used the panel wipe - which picked up a lot of 'black' residue from the sanded vinyl - before using Sikaflex to bond the panel. I also used 5mm tile spacers once again to achieve a good install, as recommended elsewhere on the forum.

The last few days have brought a good range of temperature/weather conditions and the panel seems to be attached securely.

I will keep a close eye on things over the coming weeks and months, although the signs certainly look promising so far!

Which Sikaflex did you use please? Is it still stuck ok? I’ve got to tackle the same job!

 

[mlh677]

I used EBT+ for convenience although general forum recommendation seems to be for 252.

I checked the panel earlier today whilst getting my van ready for the weekend and pleased to report that it was very secure at all points. So far so good!