CA Cladding tab wanted
- Thread starter Don W.
- Start date
WyoSyclone
Active member
Re: Cladding tab wanted
Hi Don,
I know this sounds kind of weird, but.....
I had the same problem so went to walmart and bought a high temp spatula in the kitchen section. I used another tab to trace the outline, cut it, fiberglassed it in place, and it has worked perfectly for over five years and is much better than the stock material. buy one of the thinner spatulas that flex quite a bit. Once again, I know it sounds strange but it works great.
Hi Don,
I know this sounds kind of weird, but.....
I had the same problem so went to walmart and bought a high temp spatula in the kitchen section. I used another tab to trace the outline, cut it, fiberglassed it in place, and it has worked perfectly for over five years and is much better than the stock material. buy one of the thinner spatulas that flex quite a bit. Once again, I know it sounds strange but it works great.
HAMMERHEAD
Member
Re: Cladding tab wanted
Don, I might have one in my box of spare parts. I was broke off the right front fender. I will look today and if I find it, I will let you know and send it to you for free. If I have it, I will pm you for info and could text you a pic if you like before I mail it. Fred
Don, I might have one in my box of spare parts. I was broke off the right front fender. I will look today and if I find it, I will let you know and send it to you for free. If I have it, I will pm you for info and could text you a pic if you like before I mail it. Fred
Don W.
Stab it and steer it
wildphil
I Love My Ty's
Re: Cladding tab wanted
I picked a front bumper cover up from the side of the road.I have repaired many cladding pieces with material from it. And have used very little of it. Should be a lifetime supply. Next time you see one lying around after an auto accident pick it up. You will never be short on material.
I picked a front bumper cover up from the side of the road.I have repaired many cladding pieces with material from it. And have used very little of it. Should be a lifetime supply. Next time you see one lying around after an auto accident pick it up. You will never be short on material.
Don W.
Stab it and steer it
Re: Cladding tab wanted
I'm using an adhesive called SEM (brand name) 68422. "Bumper repair." Been mentioned here before I think. Seems to be working well so far. I found some fine steel mesh, sort of like coarse window screen but heavier, that I'm using to reinforce my repairs. Looks good if nothing else.
I'm using an adhesive called SEM (brand name) 68422. "Bumper repair." Been mentioned here before I think. Seems to be working well so far. I found some fine steel mesh, sort of like coarse window screen but heavier, that I'm using to reinforce my repairs. Looks good if nothing else.
wildphil
I Love My Ty's
Re: Cladding tab wanted
I have used SEM before it is a good product. I would think with the mesh the repair would hold well.
I have used SEM before it is a good product. I would think with the mesh the repair would hold well.
DaveP
Active member
Re: Cladding tab wanted
I've seen this mentioned before. My question is; What do you use to glue them on? Nothing sticks to them. Epoxy or Polyester. Nothing. Everything peels right off of them. I'm skeptical that the spreaders work at all, much less "very well".
I recently repaired a front arch on DesertSy. The tabs had come off 3 times. The 3M Automix I've used for decades didn't hold this time. I think the product may have gotten too old. Anyway, this time I fabricated some tabs out of glass cloth and polyester resin. Screwed them to the truck, then taped the arch in place and glassed the tabs to the arch with West Systems epoxy. The stuff I use on the boats. (Polyester is somewhat flexible, and epoxy sticks like crazy to polyester.) I used some 1/2X1/2 poplar sticks to hold the arch against the fender while the epoxy cured. I wedged the sticks between the arch and my garage door. It came out OK, it won't come off again. Doesn't look super pretty under the fender, but it was a mess before I got the truck. At least I didn't put any further holes in the fender for the tabs.
I've seen this mentioned before. My question is; What do you use to glue them on? Nothing sticks to them. Epoxy or Polyester. Nothing. Everything peels right off of them. I'm skeptical that the spreaders work at all, much less "very well".
I recently repaired a front arch on DesertSy. The tabs had come off 3 times. The 3M Automix I've used for decades didn't hold this time. I think the product may have gotten too old. Anyway, this time I fabricated some tabs out of glass cloth and polyester resin. Screwed them to the truck, then taped the arch in place and glassed the tabs to the arch with West Systems epoxy. The stuff I use on the boats. (Polyester is somewhat flexible, and epoxy sticks like crazy to polyester.) I used some 1/2X1/2 poplar sticks to hold the arch against the fender while the epoxy cured. I wedged the sticks between the arch and my garage door. It came out OK, it won't come off again. Doesn't look super pretty under the fender, but it was a mess before I got the truck. At least I didn't put any further holes in the fender for the tabs.
Don W.
Stab it and steer it
Re: Cladding tab wanted
Dave, I think he meant the 3m spreader as an applicator, not reinforcement.
Here's a pic of what I did. The "L" shaped piece that comes off the cladding and wraps around the front to a bolt, had a small crack at the 90* where they joined. It was on the left where you see most of the glue. The was my first try. Obviously I didn't mix enough. I'll be adding some more but you can see the reinforcement.
Dave, I think he meant the 3m spreader as an applicator, not reinforcement.
Here's a pic of what I did. The "L" shaped piece that comes off the cladding and wraps around the front to a bolt, had a small crack at the 90* where they joined. It was on the left where you see most of the glue. The was my first try. Obviously I didn't mix enough. I'll be adding some more but you can see the reinforcement.
DaveP
Active member
Re: Cladding tab wanted
I'm pretty sure he means to use a spreader as the tab replacement material.
Different techniques are developed by different folks. As long as the materials bond, and cosmetically the repair is as "nice" as the owner wants it to be, there's a lot of ways to do it.
I used to use 3M automix. It was OK, but this last go-around it didn't bond. I think the material was on the shelf too long. It was at least 15 years old. I've had good success now with glass cloth and the West System Epoxy. I have a West kit available because I use it all the time on the boats. I scuff up the areas I'm going to bond to with a 2" Roto-Lock disc in my Makita angle drill (very good control) to get it clean, and bond away. The West seems to really stick to the cladding material.
The best looking tab repairs I've seen are those that Tom does with his plastic welding technique. But I have a feeling he does repairs weekly. There's no substitute for experience.
I'm pretty sure he means to use a spreader as the tab replacement material.
Different techniques are developed by different folks. As long as the materials bond, and cosmetically the repair is as "nice" as the owner wants it to be, there's a lot of ways to do it.
I used to use 3M automix. It was OK, but this last go-around it didn't bond. I think the material was on the shelf too long. It was at least 15 years old. I've had good success now with glass cloth and the West System Epoxy. I have a West kit available because I use it all the time on the boats. I scuff up the areas I'm going to bond to with a 2" Roto-Lock disc in my Makita angle drill (very good control) to get it clean, and bond away. The West seems to really stick to the cladding material.
The best looking tab repairs I've seen are those that Tom does with his plastic welding technique. But I have a feeling he does repairs weekly. There's no substitute for experience.
Don W.
Stab it and steer it
Re: Cladding tab wanted
Plastic welding is the way to go. However I had a plastic welder guy I found in the phone book come by and he said he couldn't weld cladding material. I told him others have done it. I don't think he believed me. I didn't want to ship cladding or would have done it that way.
Plastic welding is the way to go. However I had a plastic welder guy I found in the phone book come by and he said he couldn't weld cladding material. I told him others have done it. I don't think he believed me. I didn't want to ship cladding or would have done it that way.
fauXGT
Brick Pilot
Re: Cladding tab wanted
When I repaired almost every piece on the extended cab, I used old bumper covers reclaimed from body shops to replace missing tabs. Would find the curve to match, cut, and plastic weld stainless mesh into both sides of the tab. I used busted up cladding bits to melt into to build up thickness. The busted up bits melted into the cladding would also blend on the face with a bit of sanding on repair spots before paint.
I've also used a 2 part bumper repair urethane around tabs to build up thickness, roughing up both surfaces with 40 grit for bonding.
I have yet to see my welded tabs pull apart. :2cents:
When I repaired almost every piece on the extended cab, I used old bumper covers reclaimed from body shops to replace missing tabs. Would find the curve to match, cut, and plastic weld stainless mesh into both sides of the tab. I used busted up cladding bits to melt into to build up thickness. The busted up bits melted into the cladding would also blend on the face with a bit of sanding on repair spots before paint.
I've also used a 2 part bumper repair urethane around tabs to build up thickness, roughing up both surfaces with 40 grit for bonding.
I have yet to see my welded tabs pull apart. :2cents:
0966Sy
Code what?
Cladding tab wanted
Yes I have used them for tabs, have not had any break on customers trucks. You trim the end then rough the 3M putty knife where the adhesive will be applied. I only used Six10 adhesive from west marine.
I need to repair the RR corner on the Sy, when I get around to it I could take pictures
Yes I have used them for tabs, have not had any break on customers trucks. You trim the end then rough the 3M putty knife where the adhesive will be applied. I only used Six10 adhesive from west marine.
I need to repair the RR corner on the Sy, when I get around to it I could take pictures
wildphil
I Love My Ty's
Re: Cladding tab wanted
I have a cheap plastic welder. I think that the bond is slightly stronger than epoxy. But not enough for the more work involved. And you do not want to use a welder on a tab. It is very easy to make the outer material thinner and a crack to develop in it.
I use a 3m product. It is a flexible material adhesive. So far is has been the strongest bond and easiest to work and sand of any other product that I have tried.
I have a cheap plastic welder. I think that the bond is slightly stronger than epoxy. But not enough for the more work involved. And you do not want to use a welder on a tab. It is very easy to make the outer material thinner and a crack to develop in it.
I use a 3m product. It is a flexible material adhesive. So far is has been the strongest bond and easiest to work and sand of any other product that I have tried.