Help with securely gluing Velcro to Fiberglass

[Nickshu]

Hey guys, I need suggestions on this b/c what I am doing is not working. I have a square of Velcro glued to the roof of my race car. The other half is sewn to my roof net. The velcro holds the roof net up so it's not rubbing on my helmet while in the car.

I have tried 3M spray glue as well as Locktite Epoxy. Both have worked for awhile then started coming off. The inside of the roof is rough fiberglass painted over in silver.

What can I use to bond the velcro to the fiberglass more securely? Maybe remove paint and try fiberglass resin?

Thanks in advance. Here are a couple pics.

[juanbenae]

you can get the two-sided 3M adhesive like are on the go-pro mount pieces. i might try knocking down the fiberglass texture some with some sandpaper.

love to put stickers on my coolers and the texture on my big igloo will not take stickers.

[mistertate]

Maybe wipe the surface with acetone first, some silver might come off. Guys I work with, testing cars in Arizona heat, will add Gorilla epoxy to other adhesives, like on the Velcro tape, and it’s incredibly sticky and withstands the heat. Maybe add some around the edges too. And spend at least 30 seconds mixing.
Are you going to have more than just the one square?

[herr_oberst]

3m 5200.

[Baz]

Don't laugh but have you tried Crazy Glue? That stuff is amazing!

[aschen]

Glue the hairy side down to fiberglass with epoxy resin soaked into the fibers, then put the velcro you will use sticky side to sticky side of the epoxied down piece.

Never actually tried this just thinking out loud

[Bill Douglas]

See how the fiberglass surface is far from smooth. That means you are getting very little surface contact.

I'd clean it acetone as mentioned, sand the surface to roughen it up, then pour some araldite or something on it so there is more surface area making contact and try again.

[island911]

Technically speaking you are not trying to bond on fiberglass but rather to the silver paint.

So is the paint pulling up/off?

Also, what Bill Douglas said. Those high points do nothing but exacerbate a peel failure. - a urethane may be a good option (clean, but no smooth surface needed)

[DonDavis]

Originally Posted by aschen

Glue the hairy side down to fiberglass with epoxy resin soaked into the fibers, then put the velcro you will use sticky side to sticky side of the epoxied down piece.

Never actually tried this just thinking out loud

ooo, I like this. Maybe rough up the fiberglass before.

[LWJ]

Herr O for the win!

5200 defies physics. I had some when I had a boat but never used it. It is supposed to be the end all / be all for adhesives. And, permanent.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

3m 5200.

Yep this stuff sticks !!! Buy the smallest tube you can find because once opened it has very little shelf life .

[serene911]

Dow Corning 795 is also very good.

[Chocaholic]

Epoxy or 5200 a small metal plate to the fiberglass then apply Velcro to the metal plate.

[Nickshu]

Thanks guys I will try the 3M 5200.

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Epoxy or 5200 a small metal plate to the fiberglass then apply Velcro to the metal plate.

I have thought of this...if I bent a piece of metal, or plastic that is thin enough to bend a bit to match the curvature of the roof this could work. Although the downside is now I have two things to glue in place, but it could make the velcro serviceable as it sounds like I am never getting the 3M 5200 off the roof LOL.

[Ayles]

Maybe look a west systems gflex. Its a super strong two part epoxy that has some flex to it which might be helpful on a fiberglass top that is not entirely rigid.

[RANDY P]

This stuff is pretty wicked.
I use it when I need something that withstands high temps and will last.