adhesive advice needed

[DonB]

I'm thinking about adhering aluminum tubing to the fiberglass in places on my cars body, to run wiring harnesses thru can anyone suggest an adhesive that will hold. I'd also like some suggestions on what should be used to glue the firewall to underside of the body as well as floor panels (all fiberglass) thanks in advance

[Wbulk]

Use PVC pipe and glass sections of it in. They do that to run wiring for boats to.

[1985 CCX]

Use seam sealer urethane from Napa
Alloy tubing
You will be good..,,,

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by DonB

I'm thinking about adhering aluminum tubing to the fiberglass in places on my cars body, to run wiring harnesses thru can anyone suggest an adhesive that will hold. I'd also like some suggestions on what should be used to glue the firewall to underside of the body as well as floor panels (all fiberglass) thanks in advance

On bonding fiberglass to fiberglass you can do what GM did for years with the Corvette and use fiberglass Bonding Adhesive. Ecklers Corvette carries the product but Everlast makes a material I think called Vette Bond or something like that. The only issue with Bonding Adhesive is that it has a fairly short working life - maybe 10 - 15 minutes depending on the mix and heat. To get a longer working life many Corvette guys are using modern 2-part body repair structural adhesives with excellent results. Some of them require a 2-cartridge gun which can be expensive but I think there are more cost-effective products out there now.

I think on the tubing I would use PVC pipe also. You can either glass it in or use the bonding adhesive. I would try to run them near the edge of a panel if possible - like along the backside of the hood opening or at the bottom of the rocker panel - and try to avoid running them in the middle of a bigger panel. One problem with bonding inner panels to outer body panels with fiberglass - is that over time the bond area imprints on the outer skin causing some distortion. There are 2 types of this. Bonding distortion caused by the thermal heat from the adhesive during the bonding cure. This can be taken care of by blocking the body after the bonding is completed. But the second type takes place over time as inner panels and bonded components transfer stresses to the outer skin that begin to distort it enough to show a slight ridge or wave in the panel.

[Dirty Harry]

I used Liquid Nails construction adhesive-still holding, 20+ years now.

[DonB]

Thanks guys. I hadn't thought about PVC' I had a section of aluminum tubing setting around and that was 1st thought. The pics help as well. Thx

[EZ$]

Not sure where you are, but West Marine sells a product called "Six/10" epoxy adhesive. Comes in a tube similar to most standard caulking, but with a plural chambered tube. It dispenses thru a mixing tip, and I have used it for most all my fiberglass to fiberglass, as well as, metal to fiberglass bonding. Once set you'd have to destroy the fiberglass to dislodge it.
Rick