Posted to News on 27th Dec 2007, 00:00
Getting stuck into the Love Truck
The problem involved a painted steel substrate, hand placed glass/ceramic tiles, substrate flexing and widely varying vibration over extended periods in outdoor conditions - in short a Tiki Love Truck! An unusual project for Intertronics but nonetheless well within the capabilities of the Adhere IRS 2125 flexible epoxy adhesive.
The project was conceived by Baroness von Reichardt as a Tiki Love Truck based around the tiki symbology of a large carved talisman in humanoid form, common to Polynesian cultures of the Pacific Ocean. The 'Tiki Love Mobile' is a magical automobile, driven by two lovely hula girls who give out messages of love and peace as they drive by.
The base vehicle was a standard Nissan diesel pick-up truck to be covered in glass tile mosaics and ceramic Polynesian. The Baroness 'Googled' adhesives and discussed the project with Intertronics' technical advisors who suggested the Adhere IRS 2125 flexible epoxy adhesive. It is a black epoxy resin system with a combination of flexibility and high adhesion strength on materials such as metal, glass, rubber and many plastics, including cable insulations and connector backshells at temperatures up to 150degC.
This suggestion proved to be a complete success over the five hours a day, seven day installation. The Baroness explains: "As an artist I find the process of mosaic very therapeutic, and this adhesive certainly facilitated that process. It is nice to use because you don't have to mix it, and with a convenient setting time. The tiles have been solid as a rock ever since."
