Posted 2011-01-09 7:37 PM (#128712) Subject: Has anyone used Gluvit on their aluminum trailer?
Veteran
Posts: 151 Location: Manitoba, Canada
In my ongoing search to find and seal a very evasive leak in my trailer wall I actually found another between the horse compartment and the LQ shell (yeah, it's gross). I think I'm going to try a product made for sealing aluminum boats called Gluvit. It's a thin epoxy with a talent for finding and sealing small holes and cracks. This should work great on sealing the inner leak between compartments, and I'm not at all concerned with how it will look in the end. However, the other leak is quite likely located at the awning mounts, where I will be concerned about appearances, what with the painted aluminum wall etc. Has anyone else used this product? I know it's paintable, but how good or bad does it look prior to that?
Posted 2011-01-09 10:00 PM (#128716 - in reply to #128712) Subject: RE: Has anyone used Gluvit on their aluminum trailer?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
I've never used Gluvit on a trailer, but it has been a staple in the marine industry of which I have some familiarity. It has a low viscosity, which makes it applicable for a coating, but it will not prerform well as a gap filling product. It is an epxoy, and unless you have at least a 70 degree ambient temperature during application, be prepared to spend many days waiting for it to fully cure.
Like most products being applied to aluminum, the surface first has to be spotlessly cleaned and properly prepared. Once the surface has been abraded with a green Scotch Brite, the area should be vacuumed, then cleaned and flushed with acetone.
Gluevit is ofen used on rotted wood structures. Its thin viscosity penetrates into the wood cells, and when it hardens, strengthens that area. It is also used to coat aluminum hulls to reduce the aluminum's friction against rocks and protect the hulls whilst beaching.
Obviously an open sheet of aluminum doesn't need to be treated for leakage, just the joints and seams. If they are tight, this may be a good product. If they are open and have gaps, this material may run out before it dries and offer little protection. This is especially true of any application that is less than level. Masking off any open seam ends, will help prevent some of the run out. Gluvit has a brownish colour, and will visibly darken bare aluminum. It can be overcoated with a variety of products.
If you have large gaps to seal, I would recommend a caulking product
Has anyone used Gluvit on their aluminum trailer?
