Adhesive recommendations for mounting metal studs to fiberglass?

[MeltemiCaz]

Hello,
I plan to mount four of these perforated studs inside my boat on a vertical fiberglass panel. I plan to mount a solar charge controllers that weights 1.25 kg (2.75 lbs).

I am looking for adhesive recommendations that is very fast setting, super strong, and bounds stainless steel to fiberglass. I bought these a while ago and can't find the link to the Youtube video where the person explained and recommended the different industrial/automotive adhesives to use.

I do recall that the demo showed a two-part system using a hand-held dispensing gun that mixed both parts at the correct ratio. They demo showed that the adhesive had almost no sag and set up in just a few minutes.

I am hoping that someone with a background in automotive or aerospace adhesives can steer me to a website that sells these types of adhesives. (I am annoyed with myself for not having booked marked the YT video.)

Thanks in advance!

Cheers, Bill

 

[Max1]

I have used PL premium to bond articles to my flybridge deck without having to drill holes.
That might be big enough to use alone, or you can mount it to a wood plate, waterproof it, and bond it to the boat.

 

[Comodave]

The 2 part cartridge that dispenses is probably 6-10 epoxy. It dispenses a thickened epoxy. Time to cure depends on temperature. I would first clean both parts with acetone to clean off any wax or oils. Then sand both parts to get some tooth so the epoxy will bond better. Then clean again with acetone. Then apply the epoxy. The 6-10 is a West Systems product.

 

[Larry M]

Have you considered 3M VHB tape? You wouldn’t need much contact area for your controller. I’ve used it to mount a junction box, multiple zip tie adhesive mounts for wiring runs and an AC soft start. I’ve heard people have mounted solar panels on the pilot house roof(s) using VHB tape. Not me but for your application I’d consider it.

 

[Jeff F]

+1 on VHB tape. I think it's plenty strong for your purpose. IIRC it's commonly used for mounting metal studs.

 

[Bmarler]

here's what i would use: https://www.rshughes.com/p/Plexus-M...ve-50-Ml-Cartridge-PLEXUS-31500/plexus_31500/

there's a few more in this family of adhesives, but i have only used this one. the shop guys at nordlund boats turned me on to it, and it's fantastic stuff.

 

[Carriage Guy]

There is a system of similar stud mounts made by Weld Mount. Their stud design does not have a perforated head, their studs have a solid head with a textured (think sandblasted) surface that faces the mounting substrate so have the appearance of a large roofing nail that is threaded. Their studs are designed to be used with their proprietary two part adhesives.
Their system claims strengths of hundreds of pounds per stud depending on the size. We've had overhead storage bins mounted with their studs on our trailerable boat ceiling for several years without problems (so over 10k road miles).
I'd be tempted to try their adhesive on your fasteners.

 

[MeltemiCaz]

There is a system of similar stud mounts made by Weld Mount. Their stud design does not have a perforated head, their studs have a solid head with a textured (think sandblasted) surface that faces the mounting substrate so have the appearance of a large roofing nail that is threaded. Their studs are designed to be used with their proprietary two part adhesives.
Their system claims strengths of hundreds of pounds per stud depending on the size. We've had overhead storage bins mounted with their studs on our trailerable boat ceiling for several years without problems (so over 10k road miles).
I'd be tempted to try their adhesive on your fasteners.

Thanks, I will look into the Weldmount products.

 

[MeltemiCaz]

Hello All,
I just spoke with an engineer that works for LightLeafSolar. He is recommending that I look at the MMA adhesives sold by Infinity Bond. He says that they have excellent experience with these highly recommends them. I am going to order some of their products to try. I have two use cases, the one mentioned above with the other use case, gluing nylon tie mounting pads to the underside of my LightLeaf Solar carbon fiber solar panels. I will report back.

Cheers, Bill

 

[Bmarler]

Hello All,
I just spoke with an engineer that works for LightLeafSolar. He is recommending that I look at the MMA adhesives sold by Infinity Bond. He says that they have excellent experience with these highly recommends them. I am going to order some of their products to try. I have two use cases, the one mentioned above with the other use case, gluing nylon tie mounting pads to the underside of my LightLeaf Solar carbon fiber solar panels. I will report back.

Cheers, Bill

mma adhesive is what i linked in post #6. i haven't heard of infinity bond before, but they compare themselves to the plexus i have experience with.
the plexus is bulletproof, so if this is comparable i'd feel good using it. it's certainly cheaper.

 

[MeltemiCaz]

mma adhesive is what i linked in post #6. i haven't heard of infinity bond before, but they compare themselves to the plexus i have experience with.
the plexus is bulletproof, so if this is comparable i'd feel good using it. it's certainly cheaper.

Bmarler,
I agree with your comparison. Thanks for the quick response!

 

[Endeavor GB 32]

Amazon.com

 

[MeltemiCaz]

Amazon.com

Yes, G/flex. Good stuff! I used it before. Thanks!

 

[MeltemiCaz]

Dear All,

Thanks for all of the great (and quick) replies. I've ordered two different types of the MMA and one epoxy G/Flex. I plan to run a couple of simple tests to see which products are better suited to my application. I will even try the VHB tape, but for some reason have not had good look with the VHB tape adhering to the interior bilge paint.

Thanks again! I will report back.

 

[HeadedToTexas]

It always impresses me how far the adhesive industry has come when I see that tape can hold solar panel mounting studs in place even in our demanding environment. Cool stuff.

 

[Mako]

Regarding to mounting solar panels (or more specifically their support frames)... wouldn't you want an adhesive with some degree of flex to it? This to absorb vibration both from the boat (engine, wave slamming) and also from the panels themselves in heavy winds. That would rule out epoxy and perhaps point towards 5200.

 

[MeltemiCaz]

I am using the MMA to attach small zip-tie mounting pads to underside of the carbon-fiber solar panels that will be used to hold non-split corrugated plastic tubing that looks something like this. The tubing is the best way that I can think of for wire management. I have different sizes, for the different number of wires that the turbine will need to carry.