I recently purchased a Yellow Aircraft AT-6, the instructions state that only Stabilit Express be used as an adhesive for use on the polyester fuselage and components. My question is if the fuselage and glass components are polyester will normal epoxy adhesives be strong enough (I am installing a new firewall), also is there a method of determining if I have a polyester or epoxy fuselage? It certainly looks like epoxy but it also does not have any of the aromatic odour normally associated with polyesters, is it possible that it could be a vinyl ester; I have not had any experience with these?

Thanks and Regards

Peter

vinyl esters still smell like polyester....I'm not sure how you tell the difference without maybe burning a piece of it!

Epoxy will always be the adhesive of choice. It adheres to polyester better than polyester adheres to polyester (once cured). Be sure to sand the bonding area with some rough grit sandpaper to help the mechanical bond.

I had a similar question about adhesives and polyester fiberglass. Specifically, I was wondering how well Gorilla Glue would bond with it? I want to re-do the landing gear block in a Kangke F3D-30 to accomodate a little different style landing gear, so it needs to be a good solid bond, and figured the foaming action of the glue would help to fill voids and distribute the load better.

I agree with Jake, I would suggest using epoxy resin. Epoxy is strong yet flexable by nature, since it is a plastic. Ca's and other glues may be as strong, but lose their bond or break since they will not flex.

My experience is that epoxy does not bond to polyester very well and certainly not good for high stress areas like the firewall. I use polyester resin when I’m working with polyester fiberglass.