Liquid nails for bedding bulkheads to fiberglass?

lime4x4

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Has anyone tried this? I've used liquid nails in the past and once that stuff cures it's really hard to pull it apart
 

erikgreen

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Re: Liquid nails for bedding bulkheads to fiberglass?

Liquid nails is basically a polyurethane construction adhesive similar to PL premium, which has been discussed here a lot, and marginally similar to 3m 5200, which is a great marine sealant.

I think the short answer is that you can bed bulkheads in it, but it's less strong than resin putty/glue, at least the epoxy type.

Erik
 

lime4x4

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Re: Liquid nails for bedding bulkheads to fiberglass?

yeah but once u use epoxy for the fillets and tab the bulkheads in then cover them with fiberglass where's it going to go? I wouldn't use it for stringers. to me it just seems it would be easier esp since it comes in a caulking gun tube.
 

erikgreen

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Re: Liquid nails for bedding bulkheads to fiberglass?

It's definitely easier. I honestly don't know if it functions better as bedding for stringers or bulkheads than e.g. plain foam, but yes, it's sure a lot easier...

Erik
 

ondarvr

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Re: Liquid nails for bedding bulkheads to fiberglass?

It doesn't really matter what it used to space the stringer off the hull and the strength of what's used never actually comes into play either. All you're trying to do is space the plywood off the hull to eliminate hard spots, that's why it can be done with just soft spacers, foam, adhesive, putty, or just an air gap.

The strength of the bond will never be used because the adhesives are flexible and the glass laminate isn't in comparison. This means the laminate will be taking the load and the only time the adhesive would come into play is if the laminate failed.

In the production of small boats there are many companies that still use nothing between the stringers and hull, they're just set in place and glassed around.
 

lime4x4

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Re: Liquid nails for bedding bulkheads to fiberglass?

Well my stringers were epoxied to the hull. I have alot of bulkheads and bracing to installed yet. So i'm looking at different options
 

ondarvr

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Re: Liquid nails for bedding bulkheads to fiberglass?

I only mentioned the stringer application.

For bulkheads it would be no different if they're being glassed, but if the adhesive is the only thing being used to hold them, then go for something stronger.
 
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