What adhesive is advised to bond rigid solar panel corner mounts/cable gland to roof.

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mr brown said:
i used stixall ,using matches to give a 2mm thickness ,then added one of these to each bracket ,tightened a bit them smeared the heads with more mastic https://www.screwfix.com/p/easydriv...PYnp21CST36OOKTswuMaAnC5EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
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The problem is Nigel, the length of the screw and what type of roof, it is glass fibre then the screws are no good and if there is next to no insulation before the trim the length of the screw is so vitally important as I wrote in my earlier response.
 
I fitted new panel today, Thanks for all your advice, In the end I used Sikaflex 552 plus stainless screws on each bracket.
Finishing the wiring in the morning.
 
I've also installed rigid solar panels on my van roof. From my experience, Sikaflex 522 works very well if you ensure a minimum thickness of 2–3mm and clean the surfaces thoroughly. Stixall is another good option. For extra safety, I’d recommend combining adhesive bonding with mechanical fixings (like short stainless screws or bolts). Proper bonding and grounding of the panels is important to ensure both secure attachment and electrical safety
 
Before our trip I added a 170w panel. Our MH roof has an aluminium skin to which the factory paint is well bonded. I didn't really want to make any extra holes so used six ABS brackets which are each about 6" long and have a decent footprint, and Stixall. It appears to be very secure after 1500 miles so far, so no worries.
This type.
Screenshot_20260203-161311_Chrome.jpg
 
I fitted mine with short pieces of 50mm ali angle years ago with Sika ETB from screwfix. It's a PVC and the steel roof bends when I try really hard to lift them. No screws needed. Make sure everything is cleaned up with something like IPA first.
I left a small gap between the roof and the bracket to make it easier to get a blade in in case I need to remove the bracket in the future.
solar panel fixing.jpg
 
merl said:
I left a small gap between the roof and the bracket to make it easier to get a blade in in case I need to remove the bracket in the future.
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That's important anyway. If you squeeze the adhesive too thin, it won't stick properly. Tile spacers are probably OK.
 
Geek said:
That's important anyway. If you squeeze the adhesive too thin, it won't stick properly. Tile spacers are probably OK.
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Really? Why would a thin layer affect adhesion? Surely it's either going to stick or not because the 'bond' is at the interface between the materials..ie the substrate and the adhesive? Having had to remove many shower screen profiles from ceramic tiled walls I've always found those screwed back tight on a thin bed of silicone an absolute bar steward to remove.... genuinely wish they hadn't stuck properly.😡
 
I'm afraid that I can't explain why it is, but the makers documentation is very clear on the matter.
 
I was advised to use a 1mm piece of wire to get the right amount I think it was for both flexibility and ro account for undulations in ghe brackets and roof covering, made sense to me, screws are just belt and braces, but they need plenty of sealant in the hole.
 
I put a thin 2mm ish blob of adhesive on the bracket the day before fixing. Nothing hard to cut through then and f you need to cut it off.
Incidentally a multi tool blade sharpened on a belt sander makes short work of cutting cured adhesive.
 
merl said:
I put a thin 2mm ish blob of adhesive on the bracket the day before fixing. Nothing hard to cut through then and f you need to cut it off.
Incidentally a multi tool blade sharpened on a belt sander makes short work of cutting cured adhesive.
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At Antequera about 2 weeks ago, we were parked about 3 Vans up from a Polish VW LT35 conversion with a solar panel laid flat on the roof. It was held in position by 4 pieces of knotted string, 1 at each corner ... 😬

Steve
 
merl said:
Just looked it up, seems the risk is about porous surfaces absorbing the adhesive or clamping smooth surfaces so tight that the two parts touch and all the adhesive is squeezed out!
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On the early superglue bottles, was there not an instruction to wet one porous surface before applying the glue?

Steve
 
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