How to replace semi-trailer roof?

Answer 1

LORD REPAIR PROCEDURE

Fusor Repair Procedure

Page 1 of 2

Semi-Truck Trailer Roof Replacement Procedure using

LORD Fusor

® Adhesives

Removal of Roof Panel

1. Using an air chisel and pliers, turn up the hemfl ange.

2. Punch or drill out rivets.

3. Roll aluminum skin using vise grips to stop roll-back.

Note: Wear heavy gloves to protect hands from sharp

edges on aluminum skin.

4. Contain aluminum roll with bailing wire.

5. Lower the roll with a forklift.

Surface Preparation

1. Straighten damaged rail and replace sections where

required.

2. Remove all rivet shanks that may be present.

3. Weld and fl at fi nish any torn areas.

4. Scuff all mating surfaces using an angle grinder with

a 36-grit Roloc™ wheel or equivalent.

5. Blown away debris with an air gun. Be sure that the

air does not have any oil or water in it.

Note: Do not use any cleaners after the mating

surfaces have been scuffed.

Adhesive Preparation

1. Make sure one small push pad and one large push

pad are installed on the dispensing gun.

2. Insert the LORD Fusor metal bonding adhesive

cartridge (Stock #112B/113B) into the dispensing

gun. Squeeze a small amount of product from each

side of the cartridge to level the plungers.

3. Attach a mixing tip and dispense a small amount of

adhesive, which is about the length and width of the

mixer. Dispense until the product is evenly mixed

and the color is consistent.

Materials Needed:

• LORD Fusor 112B/113B Metal Bonding Adhesive

(Slow) (approx. 12 to 14 adhesive cartridges are

required for a 53-foot trailer)

• LORD Fusor 304 Pneumatic Dispensing Gun

Roof Panel Installation

1. Raise the new roof material into position with a

forklift.

2. Unroll roof material the length of the trailer, working

from the rear of the trailer forward.

3. Align the new roof panel so that one side is fl ush to

the edge along the entire length of the trailer.

4. Clamp the fl ush side. Trim the opposite side using

an air nibbler so that it is fl ush to the edge along

entire length of the trailer.

5. Unclamp and raise roof material. Grind both sides

of roof material along all mating surfaces using an

angle grinder with 36-grit wheel.

6. Grind the mating surface of the J-molding, equal to

the length of the trailer on both sides.

7. Blow mating surfaces clean of all debris. Lower roof

material and secure with vise grips.

Rear Header

1. Cut roof material fl ush with back of trailer.

2. Along rear header, drill holes for buck rivets every

4-6 inches (10.2-15.2 cm).

3. Apply masking tape on underside of rear header

panel to prevent adhesive from squeezing out.

4. Lift roof material from rear header to approximately

three feet back along each side.

5. Apply a 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) bead of LORD Fusor

112B/113B metal bonding adhesive along the 3-foot

area on each side roof rail and a 1/2 inch (12.7 mm)

bead of adhesive along rear header.

6. Install rivets along rear header and clamp the 3-foot

area on both sides.

7. Apply approximately 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) bead of

adhesive to J-molding and install J-molding along

rear header.

Note: Some style trailers will not allow installation of

J-molding. Reinforce rear header by rivet-bonding a

piece of 1-1/2 to 2 inch (38.1-50.8 mm) aluminum fl at

stock (16 gauge or greater) to the rear header, sandwiching

the roof material.

Roloc is a trademark of 3M.

LORD provides valuable expertise in adhesives and coatings, vibration and motion control, and magnetically responsive technologies. Our

people work in collaboration with our customers to help them increase the value of their products. Innovative and responsive in an ever-changing

marketplace, we are focused on providing solutions for our customers worldwide . . . Ask Us How.

LORD Corporation

World Headquarters

111 Lord Drive

Cary, NC 27511-7923

USA

Customer Support Center

(in United States & Canada)

+1 877 ASK LORD (275 5673)

www.lord.com

LORD REPAIR PROCEDURE

©2007 LORD Corporation OD RP3029 (Rev.0 1/07)

Fusor and "Ask Us How" are trademarks of LORD Corporation or one of its subsidiaries.

Fusor Repair Procedure

Page 2 of 2

Side Roof Rails

1. Lift remaining length of roof material. If masking

tape has not been applied to the underside of side

roof rails, do that now to prevent adhesive from

squeezing out.

Note: To reduce installation time, fabricate a

stretching mechanism that attaches to the forklift.

Once roof material is rolled out, measured and

trimmed, use the forklift to stretch and raise the roof

material.

2. Apply approximately 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) bead of

LORD Fusor 112B/113B metal bonding adhesive

along remaining length of both side roof rails.

Important: Do not apply adhesive to front header at

this time.

3. Lower roof material and stretch.

4. Apply approximately 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) bead of

LORD Fusor 112B/113B metal bonding adhesive to

previously scuffed mating surface of J-molding.

5. Install one rivet at both end of all sections of Jmolding.

This will secure the roof so that the

stretching mechanism can be released before front

header installation.

Front Header

1. Release stretching mechanism.

2. Trim roof material fl ush with front edge of trailer.

3. Apply approximately 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) bead of

LORD Fusor 112B/113B metal bonding adhesive

along front header.

4. Install J-molding along front header. If necessary,

cut "V's" in J-molding to allow for curve.

5. From inside the trailer, apply a single-component

urethane to all the roof bows.

6. For cosmetic purposes, use a dry rag to wipe

excess adhesive from the entire roof assembly.