Replacing a wheel spat

I've bonded a few things to my caravans, including an awning rail.

Gorilla Glue would not be my choice as it is a messy foaming polyurethane glue.

The likes of no more nails, liquid nails etc would work, but you must not use a water based version in the low temperature and damp weather we have at present.

My choice would however be the one time industry default setting of Sikaflex. This is a non setting adhesive mastic sealant that cures to a stiff rubber type consistency. It used to be hideously expensive at about £12/14 a tube, but it is now available form the likes of Screwfix or Toolstation for a lot less.

Colin

Agree with Colin, Sikaflex is definitely the way to go. Nothing else comes close. Make sure you mask off surrounding area and remove immediately afterwards.

Thanks both!    I was thinking of Sikaflex too, have used it before, on our previous caravan.  Not needed to do any exterior repairs on this one before.

Just need some decent weather to get out there to do it, far too  cold and wet at present.   Either that or pay our dealer to do it when it goes for service in 4 weeks time.

The wheel arch spat or trim on my Swift is attached with sikaflex and screw fixings. I had to replace one following attempted theft 3 years ago. 

On  the remaining good one, i do not see any screws holding it in place, should I use screws on the new one?

If you can get some small stainless steel self tappers in then all the better. They will keep the spat in place whilst the Sikaflex goes off and gives that extra piece of mind.

Colin

Having had the same thing happen to us on the A64 to York some years ago I had to replace the nearside wheel spat on our van  I used silicone sealer which couler matched the spat and also used 2 s/steel self tapping screw ,that was 6 ears ago and it it still firmly secured,  just use a quality s/sealer product

We use CT plus on numerous locations when repairing coaches and wouldnt use anything else.

The body work on a coach especially a modern coach flexes even more with todays roads

Its not cheap and available in different colours from Wickes and oline tho we buy in bulk and is applied with a standard silicone gun.

The wheel spat on a Swift is designed to be screw fixed. There are indents for the screws with screw caps. 

Fair point flatcoat, but original is not always best. Our vans are built to a specification to make the manufacturer a profit. It is quicker and cheaper for them to use a couple of screws instead of screws and adhesive.

Colin