11 replies to this topic

[Gaz66]

Im at the point of sticking the roof skin on, thats when I get one (thats another story)
Ive left 3" of steel roof right around the shell to bond to.
The question is how should this 3" be prepared for best adhesion?
Bare steel?
1k epoxy primer?
Or something else?

As I said actually getting a skin is proving hard work as noone will deliver them and they are all down south compared to me in Yorkshire.
I did get in touch with formex who bought out custom minis fibreglass stuff and they gave me a good price including delivery but when i asked about how to pay (they have no website) they went cold on me. 🤔
So Im still on the lookout for a skin ☹️

Edited by Gaz66, 16 May 2026 - 10:22 PM.

[nicklouse]

As long as the ground is solid you may just need to key it.

 

but remember you are only gluing resin to paint.

 

also forget any motorsport events.

[crossthread]

 I don't know what adhesive you intend to use , I would recommend automotive structural adhesive , applied to bare metal ,  I was a panel beater for 40 years .

[Cooperman]

My advice is to call Henkel Adhesives UK and speak to their Technical Support Department (01442 278000).

[mm man]

I work in the bus industry and all the fronts and backs of buses are fibre glass bonded to steel frame work that is etched primed first then keyed lightly then a sealer adhesive is used ie sikaflex or tigerseal . Due to accidents I have had to cut many a front and back off in my line of work and I assure you when they’re stuck they are stuck.

[Gaz66]

I work in the bus industry and all the fronts and backs of buses are fibre glass bonded to steel frame work that is etched primed first then keyed lightly then a sealer adhesive is used ie sikaflex or tigerseal . Due to accidents I have had to cut many a front and back off in my line of work and I assure you when they’re stuck they are stuck.

A friend used tigerseal to stick the carbon roof on his autotest mini but I wasnt fully convinced.
Now you have said this is the way in the trade I have more confidence 😁
So bare metal and tigerseal 👍

Edited by Gaz66, 17 May 2026 - 07:41 PM.

[petey81]

I have a fiberglass skin over a full roof and used tiger seal.

[Gaz66]

I have a fiberglass skin over a full roof and used tiger seal.

I take it has stayed on? 😁

[petey81]

It has 😂

[68+86auto]

Remember that this is a structural part and the strength should match the original design. Unless you are an engineer, I'd say it isn't a good idea to mess with this.

 

Here's an article relating to a roof failure (not on a mini). https://www.jalopnik.com/couple-awarded-42-million-after-crash-because-shop-glu-1819359410/

[evansisgreat]

Remember that this is a structural part and the strength should match the original design. Unless you are an engineer, I'd say it isn't a good idea to mess with this.

 

Here's an article relating to a roof failure (not on a mini). https://www.jalopnik.com/couple-awarded-42-million-after-crash-because-shop-glu-1819359410/

 

In fairness, lots of minis came with most of the roof chopped out and nothing but a floppy webasto in the middle. These are not 2010 vehicles. 

[Gaz66]

I think the ten point roll cage and door bars on mine should make up for a 6x4' piece of steel sheet thats been removed 😁
Also the two flappy pieces of steel that go down the length of the car underneath the roof skin where the interior light mounts have been welded to the 3" of roof skin that's left to make two box sections if you like down the length of the car. 👍

Edited by Gaz66, 24 May 2026 - 03:28 PM.