I'm sitting here thinking about liabilities vs. insurance vs. local/national vehicle regulations. Bonding a panel at what could (in a lawyer's/insurer's eyes) be view as a break-away point is the first question.
When you bond like that to the sail panel, in the event of impact that becomes the stress riser point, correct?
A couple others in my head too, but I want to do a bit of research before asking blindly.
:cheers:
your really going to make me type this all out ?
bonding panels is well known and well used in the industry . Most shops in my Province we're epoxeying on panels instead of welding for years , making huge $$ from our 1 and only insurance company , ICBC . Install time was reduced hugeley , and everyone was happy , except ICBC .. They felt they were giving money away , so they put "conditions" on panel installs . Also Lots of FACTORY manufactured panels are epoxied , including automotive , aerospace , air plane and boat building + more ....
if you read the 3M panel bonder info. sheet , along with the warrenty , you will see not only my company would be liable , but 3m as well . Now this being said , in a "legal" case , it is upon the plantive to prove there case , and on a 20+ vehicle , this would be expencive , and difficult to zero in on 1 piece to place blame .
As far as the "break away" point .. this bond will never break if done correctly . either the frp panel will break , or the steel will bend , so I really think is is a non issue .
We have been selling the 84-89 4Runner panels now for 10 years . We have now valid crash history , validating our product is much stronger the the stock steel . I can only assume at this point , that our 90-95 panels will enjoy the same stats in the future , as they are constructed with the same hi quality raw materials .
and if all elses fails , we are insured !!
.
