Filon RV Siding Adhesive: How To install and What Glue to Use
Rebuilding takes a lot of work even if you are just covering older material. You need the right adhesives to make the project work and last. The drawback to these projects is that if you ask a lot of people, you may not get the same answer as to the right adhesive to use.
This can be a problem as even the manufacturer may not have the best suggestion. When it comes to using this siding, you may be told to use urethane-based glue, Loctite Black Contact Adhesive, Stabond, or Regular contact cement. Sometimes it is a tough choice to make.
To learn more about this topic, just continue to read our article. It has the information you want to know about so you can pick the right adhesive for your next filon siding project. It only takes a few minutes to get this information and see how it helps you.
Is FRP The Same as Filon?
It seems that it is the same as Crane Composites, the manufacturer, states they are the only company to make filon fiberglass siding. There may be other fiberglass reinforced panels but they may not use the same components as Crane Composites does.
All FRP is made of is liquid polyester resin with some fiberglass added inside the panels to make it stronger. This combination seems to produce a very flexible yet strong panel that looks good at the same time.
This material is said to be able to be applied to concrete blocks, drywall, wood, and many other solid surfaces. It has been used successfully over luan plywood.
Of course, the key to the success of these projects will be the adhesive you use to bond the two surfaces together. That may take some doing as everyone has their own idea of what adhesive you should use. Sometimes, you just use trial and error to find the right adhesive.
What Glue do You Use For Filon?
The one that worked for one project mentioned at an RV discussion forum was contact cement. It should be a heavy-duty contact cement as you have no real room for error and you need to make sure it sticks well.
One person suggested Stabond, but there are some application issues that may slow down the process. You need to apply this adhesive to both surfaces and then wait till the glue is dry to the touch before placing the filon on the other surface.
If you do not wait long enough, it is possible for the drying adhesive to create bubbles in 7 to 12 hours and those bubbles will be seen through the filon. If you do this process right, there should be nothing that will pull the two pieces apart.
Other glues may not perform as well as these two options. Just make sure you get a strong glue made for both surfaces and follow the directions carefully.
Filon RV Siding Adhesive Options
There will be quite a few different adhesives that should do a good job for you. The situation above used contact cement, and RV manufacturers used to use that adhesive in building their RV walls.
However, contact cement, while providing an instant bond, was and is flammable and toxic. Those were two reasons why RV makers went to other adhesives. You can use this on your own if you want, just be prepared for the side effects of using this adhesive.
Hot melt glue is another option but is impractical for DIY people. The hot melt glue comes in large blocks and needs a large system to melt the glue and then a system of rollers to apply it. Plus, it also costs $1000 per 5-gallon pail.
The adhesives that worked best for DIY people are off the shelf contact cement. One-Part Construction Adhesives, and Marine Adhesive Sealants, and Two-part epoxy.
The best adhesive is the last followed by the marine adhesive and finally by the regular contact cement.
Stabond T-440 Adhesive
This is supposed to be a very top adhesive to use on most products involving wood, metal, and filon or fiberglass reinforced panels. It is a sprayable neoprene contact cement-like product that is supposed to provide the best bond possible. It is also heat-resistant.
This adhesive covers 120 square feet per gallon and comes in a red or natural color. If you need to think it out, it is best to use the Stabond T-Thinner and after opening its shelf life is only 6 months.
Then it will take between 5 to 45 minutes for the bonding time. To maximize your shelf-life make sure it is stored in a cool place with a tightly sealed container. Be forewarned, this product is highly flammable like contact cement.
Turn off all flames, and pilot lights, and do not smoke near this product when using it. One use stated that once the two surfaces are placed together, nothing will pull them apart.
Bonding Filon To Plywood
This is not a project you do when you are in a hurry, have little time, or do not know what you are doing. Once you make contact with both surfaces, you won’t be able to pull the surfaces apart and try again.
The top glues will stick hard and they will stick fast. This means that you have to take your time and work carefully. The best glue to use may be a 2 part epoxy but users have had success with heavy-duty, not regular, contact cement.
When you buy your adhesive, make sure it will bond to the filon material and to the surface you want to attach the filon to. Then follow all instructions carefully and do not leave any steps out unless instructed to do so.
The company that makes those adhesives know what they are talking about and the best way to apply their product. Make sure to have help on hand when you are adhering to larger pieces together.
Again one mistake and it can create a costly error that you would rather avoid. If you are not confident in using these strong adhesives, hire a professional to help you. It is better to spend the money on help than repairing the mistakes you made.
How To Install Filon Siding on RV
Well, we could say ‘very carefully’ but that is no help at all. The first step would be to get the filon panel and cut it to size. These panels are usually in rolls and you have to cut the length where you need it.
The next step would be to prepare the surface where you want to apply this product. Both surfaces have to be clean and ready for the adhesive, which you should have bought at the same time you bought the filon panels.
The third step is to apply the adhesive to both surfaces and carefully join them together. Make sure you have all the angles cut and the panel is easy to place into position.
Depending on the adhesive you use, you will have either a short boding time or a long one. Some products can take up to 45 minutes to bond completely. While you are waiting for the adhesive to bond and dry, you can clean up the adhesive and seal the container tightly.
When you are done and the panel is dry, attach any lights or other accessories to the panel that needs to go there.
Installing Filon Siding
There is a 14-minute video on YouTube that shows you the step-by-step process. Unfortunately, we cannot reproduce all that information here. You can spray or roll the adhesive in place on both surfaces, this is something you will have to choose which option is best for you.
Rolling the adhesive on is the best option as you stay in complete control and do not make a mess. The sprayer is easy to make a mistake and gets it all over the place. The guy in the video used 3M neoprene high-performance contact cement.
There are adhesive applicators you can use for your application process. Take your time and wait for the adhesive to dry before making any final trim cuts. Attaching the completed panels and plywood will take some extra tools that will secure the panels to the RV or trailer.
To attach the plywood backing to the plywood sub-wall, you should use more contact cement. It will take some time as there are always complications that arise.
Some Final Words
Getting the right adhesive is the key to the project no matter what it is. When it comes to filon you need a very strong glue to make sure it adheres securely to the plywood or other hard surface.
Take your time as you can make a mistake or even an easy mistake that ruins what you are working on and that is never good.
