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Cracked skylight. What can I used to fix it?

Posted: 03 Jun 2016, 13:10
by timski
Hi Guys,

I left my skylight slightly open recently and the high winds blew it wide open and it cracked and now leaks. Any suggestions on how to fix it? Some kind of silicone sealant?

Or is it best to just replace it? I still need a temporary fix in the meantime.

It's a the original Autosleeper skylight for a hightop by the way.

Thanks,
Tim.

Re: Cracked skylight. What can I used to fix it?

Posted: 03 Jun 2016, 13:15
by Shaundon
any of the clear setting 2 part epoxy glues should provide a repair,

http://www.poundland.co.uk/tommy-walsh-epoxy-resin-glue

but wont look great....

Re: Cracked skylight. What can I used to fix it?

Posted: 03 Jun 2016, 13:17
by Shaundon
note i'm assuming the skylights are acrylic based - best test on a small section first in case there is some reaction with the plastic

Re: Cracked skylight. What can I used to fix it?

Posted: 03 Jun 2016, 14:06
by Oldiebut goodie
If acrylic why not use structural acrylic adhesive - designed for the material. :?: Will then be as strong as the original.

Re: Cracked skylight. What can I used to fix it?

Posted: 03 Jun 2016, 15:41
by Shaundon
cause you cant get that from poundland for a quid ;)

Re: Cracked skylight. What can I used to fix it?

Posted: 03 Jun 2016, 16:56
by timski
Not sure what it is made of to be honest.

Is it obvious from this picture?

https://goo.gl/photos/pvgNMo2RDUDUSdrs8

Thanks,
Tim.

Re: Cracked skylight. What can I used to fix it?

Posted: 03 Jun 2016, 17:19
by Shaundon
not to me it isnt - plastics i find hard to tell apart - feeling them gives a clue
i had assumed it was clear but doesnt look it from that picture -

best thing is to test a little of whatever your using on an outer edge of an already damaged bit and leave for some time to make sure no adverse reaction-

Re: Cracked skylight. What can I used to fix it?

Posted: 03 Jun 2016, 18:13
by nicq
Most skylights are made to flex a bit so do not use a hard glue.

Re: Cracked skylight. What can I used to fix it?

Posted: 03 Jun 2016, 18:24
by Oldiebut goodie
A little research soon throws up that most skylights are made of ASA - acrylic.

Re: Cracked skylight. What can I used to fix it?

Posted: 03 Jun 2016, 19:08
by nicq
We used Tensol 12 for all acrylic fixing in the DT department at the school I worked in.

Re: Cracked skylight. What can I used to fix it?

Posted: 03 Jun 2016, 19:38
by tobydog
Oldiebut goodie wrote:A little research soon throws up that most skylights are made of ASA - acrylic.
A little experience of plastics, I doubt it.

Re: Cracked skylight. What can I used to fix it?

Posted: 03 Jun 2016, 19:49
by Oldiebut goodie
Why do you say that? - those that state what material they are manufactured from state that they are acrylic otherwise I myself wouldn't have stated it as being so!

Re: Cracked skylight. What can I used to fix it?

Posted: 03 Jun 2016, 20:27
by tobydog
Send me a piece and I'll burn and identify it for you :) Acrylic is quite easy to identify.

http://www.consultekusa.com/pdf/Tech%20 ... art%20.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ASA is not acrylic, it's a blend of three polymers - acrylonitrile styrene acrylate, all clear type of plastics. It's similar to ABS, but with better weather resistance, ABS is not very good at light transmission.

Acrylic - PMMA, Polymethylmethacrylate.


If it was me, I'd mask either side of the crack and squidge some silicone into the gap to seal/glue the skylight. It was probably thermoformed and suffered a lot of UV radiation in it's life.

Re: Cracked skylight. What can I used to fix it?

Posted: 03 Jun 2016, 20:34
by Oldiebut goodie
ASA is produced by introducing a grafted acrylic ester elastomer during the copolymerization reaction between styrene and acrylonitrile. Hence it being called acrylic by those that have used it as skylights. As I said I would not have stated thus without basing it upon the manufacturers statements. I did research it before making a statement.

Re: Cracked skylight. What can I used to fix it?

Posted: 03 Jun 2016, 20:46
by tobydog
Oldiebut goodie wrote:ASA is produced by introducing a grafted acrylic ester elastomer during the copolymerization reaction between styrene and acrylonitrile. Hence it being called acrylic by those that have used it as skylights. As I said I would not have stated thus without basing it upon the manufacturers statements. I did research it before making a statement.
May I enquire as to your day job/profession?

My previous replies were given without the aid of Wikipedia, try another 10,000 hours :|

Have a ginger beer :ok