What glue for foam core wing sheeting?

[Wayne]

Curious what glues you all like for sheeting foam core wings?

We are going to run some tests of various glues today, but thought I'd ask what you all have tried and like. We are hoping to avoid the more toxic options like epoxy.

I'm pretty old school and have liked to use spray on contact cements, and honestly that has always worked really well for me. Both 3M Super 77 and Loctite 200. But keeping the spray valve clear and not spitting is always an issue. The spitting can and will melt the XPS and EPS foams.

We have a very nice vacuum bagging setup now, so would like to try some of those methods. Will test some Gorilla glue, some Foam Tac and Foam Cure under vacuum and see if they will cure or not. Do they get brittle or have any adhesion issues. You get the idea.

Anyone try good old wood glue?

Any suggestions would be welcome. Ideally something that is not toxic, super messy, cleans up and sands well. Can not melt foams.

Thanks!

 

[Wayne]

p.s. Will have to share some details on our new vacuum setup. Sean did a GREAT job setting it up. We pulled a vacuum Friday and it held it all weekend with the pump turned off.

 

[Chris]

Sean actually did the vacuum pull on WEDNESDAY and it held until Monday!!!
Just sayin....

 

[Red]

Well I know you don't want this but I use laminating epoxy and vacuum. It is by far the lightest and most consistent method I have found. That being said, Titebond spread thin and bagged down is a good option. I know lots of folks use Gorilla Glue with good results, but I've never tried it.

 

[Wayne]

I'm debating offering wings pre-sheeted but do not want to expose my staff to epoxy.

Yep I hear about Gorilla so that is on our list to try. I like the idea of Titebond the most.

We will be playing with a few and see how they do. The one unknown will be long term durability. I think we have all seen planes from 20 or 30 years ago with failing glue on the sheeting.

 

[rcsoar4fun]

I have used most of everything, even back to the old sorghum days.

Epoxy is consistent and works well if bagging. I am curious what exposure concerns you have, with proper PPE it should be safe-ish. Some epoxy are safer than others.

I have played with polyurethane, which is promising. From my understanding it is the favored approach for some of the bigger gasser model ARFs.

Bob Dodgson used to recommend 3M transfer tape for his wings. I have some 40 year old wings that still look great.

 

[Wayne]

Epoxy concerns - While none of my employees have built up the epoxy allergy, they are all in the hobby and have already been exposed to epoxy for years. I also have the occasional customer that does have the allergy. One employee does have issues handling pultruded carbon fiber. I know many people spend a zillion hours with epoxy and never have any issues.

Ultimately, if there is a less toxic solution, I'm eager to try it.