May/June 2019 Marine Fabricator - 37

Step Two: Tape the track
Taping the track is a pretty simple
process. Using 3M™ VHB™ two-sided
tape, first install the tape onto the piece
of track. Start at one end of the track
and slowly work the tape onto the
bottom of the track while pulling on
the tape to ensure it does not bunch
up. Rub the tape in firmly to make sure
you have a good bond to the track.
Step Three: Heat form the track
Heat forming allows the track to take
the shape required by the mounting
surface. We use two methods for this: a
heat gun or a heat blanket. A heat gun
is essentially a high-powered hair dryer
that targets a small area with intense
heat. A heat blanket is a mat you wrap
around the PVC to heat it. It was
developed for heating PVC tubing for
applications like plumbing, but it works
very well for heat forming track too.
* Heat gun method
Focus on 18- to 24-inch sections at
a time. Start in the center of the arch
and work outward. The two-sided
3M VHB tape is already adhered

Photo 1
A roll of 3M VHB™ (very high bond) tape.

to the track, so start peeling the
tape off in about two-foot sections,
carefully sticking it to the arch.
In most cases, you will not need
to heat form the track until you
reach the shoulder of the arch.
Once you get to the shoulder,
the real fun begins. If you are using
a heat gun, evenly distribute heat
across a two-foot section of the
PVC track that will encompass the
entire radius of the shoulder bend.
This may take a few minutes of
constant and even heating. Make
strokes back and forth with the tip
of the heat gun about 8-12 inches
away from the track. Make sure you
are applying heat from the top and
both sides as evenly as possible. Try
to avoid giving too much heat to
the bottom where the VHB tape is
located. The residual heat that will
inevitably heat up the tape is not a
concern and will actually strengthen
the bond of the tape to the arch.
After a few minutes, the track will
start to bend just from the weight of
the extra stock sticking out past the
shoulder bend. The PVC material will

Photo 2
A close-up view of 3M® VHB™
tape pieces.

"Using a track
and keder welt
combo...sets your
job apart from
competitors, is an
excellent upsell,
and creates
a professional
and modern
appearance."

Apply heat from
the top and both
sides evenly.

Photo 3
This Milwaukee heat gun is one the
team at Marine Tops uses frequently.
www.marinefabricatormag.com | 37


http://www.marinefabricatormag.com

May/June 2019 Marine Fabricator

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May/June 2019 Marine Fabricator

May/June 2019 Marine Fabricator - Cover1
May/June 2019 Marine Fabricator - Cover2
May/June 2019 Marine Fabricator - 1
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