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Calling Adhesive Experts- I Need Sticky Stuff

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by Howard Eisenhauer, Jul 24, 2017.

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  1. Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    The brake reservoir I built for Tonk sprung a leak. Specifically the aluminum plate in the bottom (that the lines connect to) which was epoxied (JB Weld) to the steel tank has come adrift. Not sure if it's caused by the brake fluid infiltrating and weakening the bond or stress/vibration did it.

    Anyone able to recommend one of theses modern super sealants/glues/adhesives/sticky goop that will last more than a few years?

    Thanks,

    H.
     
    Howard Eisenhauer, Jul 24, 2017
    #1
  2. 45es

    45es Active Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    45es, Jul 24, 2017
    #2
    Howard Eisenhauer likes this.
  3. Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    No, not really.
     
    Howard Eisenhauer, Jul 24, 2017
    #3
  4. ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    So it needs to survive being submerged in brake fluid?
     
    ITLKSEZ, Jul 24, 2017
    #4
  5. Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Contact *with* brake fluid, specifically DoT 5 silicone.
     
    Howard Eisenhauer, Jul 24, 2017
    #5
  6. oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    Cohesive bonding is superior to Adhesive bonding.
     
    oldtime, Jul 24, 2017
    #6
  7. Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Does this explain why crazy glue eventually lets go but my wife has been sticking around for 30 years?
     
    Howard Eisenhauer, Jul 24, 2017
    #7
    Danefraz and Bowbender like this.
  8. oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    Definate Maybe !
    Can you specify what specific material the aluminum pate is boded to ?
     
    oldtime, Jul 24, 2017
    #8
  9. homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    :rofl::rofl::rofl:
     
    homersdog, Jul 24, 2017
    #9
    Walt Couch likes this.
  10. Admiral Cray

    Admiral Cray I want to do this again.. Staff Member

    [​IMG] ... :D
     
    Admiral Cray, Jul 24, 2017
    #10
    BobH likes this.
  11. Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    The plate is a round aluminum piece about 2" in diameter & about 3/8" thick. It has a relief cut in the top side edge to give a lip about 3/16" of an inch deep by 3/16" high.

    The upper part of the plate fits into a hole in the bottom of the reservoir & the lip butts up against the reservoir bottom. The epoxy is applies between the lip & the reservoir bottom but it seems that the aluminum does not stay bonded to the epoxy.

    H.
     
    Howard Eisenhauer, Jul 24, 2017
    #11
  12. ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    I don't know if an epoxy that will hold up to brake fluid long-term. Even the longevity of brazing aluminum to steel is questionable.

    Any chance you can re-make the reservoir out of aluminum or the base out of steel and weld them?
     
    ITLKSEZ, Jul 24, 2017
    #12
  13. PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I might suspect the different expansion coefficients of the two metals.
     
    PeteL, Jul 24, 2017
    #13
  14. V.O.

    V.O. New Member

    Marine-Tex is a 2 part epoxy that pretty tough. It can be drilled and tapped if necessary. Don't know about brake fluid but it will hold up to oil. Website only says resistant to many chemicals and will bond dissimilar metals.
     
    V.O., Jul 24, 2017
    #14
  15. 47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Dot5 silicone? What will stick to silicone?
     
    47v6, Jul 25, 2017
    #15
  16. Danefraz

    Danefraz Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Not sure, I've used JB weld for the hole in my oil tank on my chainsaw...

    One might add some vaporized stainless powder to it as a base? (Brownells has the powder).
     
    Danefraz, Jul 26, 2017
    #16
  17. TIm E

    TIm E Aggressively average

    I would tend to agree with Pete, this could be the culprit...and might indicate a need for a more flexible sealant to deal with the expansion/contraction.

    Another (non-flexible) option is this epoxy putty from KBS. I have used several of their products with good success. I used the putty for repairing my cracked steering wheel, but it does mention in the "application" section that it is good for industrial repairs, fuel, HVAC lines etc. Not sure if it is any different than the thicker JB Weld putty, but again, their products seem quite good from my experience.

    NuMetal - Epoxy Putty - Body Filler - KBS Coatings
     
    TIm E, Jul 26, 2017
    #17
  18. ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    What about plain old 100% clear silicone?
     
    ITLKSEZ, Jul 26, 2017
    #18
  19. Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Too much vibration & stress from the lines going down the MC I think.
     
    Howard Eisenhauer, Jul 26, 2017
    #19
  20. djcj3a

    djcj3a Member

    djcj3a, Jul 28, 2017
    #20
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