SikaTack® Panel System FAQ's

For general storage in warehouse environments, note that STPS materials are temperature sensitive. Keep all components above 32° F and below 80° F while in storage.

For temporary storage (at least 24 hours prior to application) at a job site, application temperatures apply – not less than 40° F and not more than 105° F. (Ideal range is between 60° F and 85° F for best application properties)

All components of the SikaTack® Panel system have a shelf life, but with proper planning and timely usage, you shouldn’t have any issues. Please refer to Product Data Sheets (PDS), available on the Sika Industry website, for current shelf-life data.

SikaTack® Panel System product/PDS links and shelf-life values:
SikaTack® Panel-50 (adhesive) - 9 months from production
SikaTack® Panel Primer - 9 months from production
Sika® Aktivator-205 - 1 year from production
SikaTack® Panel Fixing Tape - 2 years from production
Sika® PowerClean Aid - 2 years from production

Your installation team should have:

• Unipack application gun
• Rubber gloves & safety glasses
• Fine Scotch Brite (or similar) abrasive pads
• Lint-free paper towel
• Solvent-resistant cups
• Thermometer & humidity gauge
• Shims/jigs for joint spacing
  

The SikaTack® Panel System (STPS) is not overly complex in its contents.

Note that facade panels themselves are offered separately from the SikaTack® Panel (Bonding) System, available through Sika’s exclusive STPS distributor, Omnis.

The SikaTack® Panel System includes:
SikaTack® Panel-50 (adhesive)
SikaTack® Panel Primer
Sika® Aktivator-205
SikaTack® Panel Fixing Tape
Sika® PowerClean Aid

Mistakes happen! Fortunately, a flaw or misplacement is easily remedied. To remove an existing panel, use a wire saw to cut through the SikaTack® Panel-50 adhesive and SikaTack® Panel Fixing Tape. If product is not fully cured, you may need to use a solvent to aid in adhesive removal. Be aware not to get adhesive on adjacent panels. After panel removal, scrape off the adhesive and fixing tape, if panel will be reinstalled. Lastly, reapply primer, tape, and adhesive to reinstall the panel.

Yes, this is important. The SikaTack® Panel Fixing Tape and SikaTack® Panel-50 (adhesive) should be applied over the whole length of the vertical sections and parallel to the edges, with appropriate distance from the open panel joint. On edge profiles, the SikaTack® Panel Tape should be positioned on the outside edge of the panel that will be placed, creating a barrier to prevent SikaTack® Panel-50 (adhesive) from oozing into the open joint. Never encapsulate SikaTack® Panel-50 between two strips of SikaTack® Panel Fixing Tape as the moisture-curing adhesive needs access to air/humidity to ensure its full cure and performance.

For further information, refer to the SikaTack® Panel System General Guideline. Advice on specific applications is available on request from the Technical Department of Sika Industry.

For additional info, contact Sika Corp. at (248)-577-0020 or TSHM@us.sika.com.

Sensitive panel surfaces should be protected. All pre-treatments and bonding components should be applied with appropriate distance from the open panel joints. Further, an organized installation process and use of clean gloves help to prevent contamination of the visible sides of the panel. Even if SikaTack® Panel Fixing Tape could be peeled off some surfaces or uncured SikaTack® Panel-50 (adhesive) could be removed with a solvent, there is always a risk of leaving visible stains. Stains or spilling of SikaTack® Panel Primer or Sika® Aktivator-205 could only be mechanically removed from any surface. 

Panel system installers should check out Joint Jig, a fantastic new spacing device available to ensure perfect open joints every time.

No more crooked panels!

Since structural bonding applications are critical applications and conditions / substrates may vary greatly, customers and applicators must test the suitability of the product for each specific project and contact Sika for advice. The SikaTack® Panel System General Guideline provides some guidance for specific types of surfaces.

However, Sika has performed adhesion tests with different panels and framing, and will perform tests specific to your job and materials if they haven't been tested before.

Let us help! Simply provide us with the linear footage of your hats and Z’s (or L’s and T’s), and we'll let you know how much material you need. Don’t know where to start in calculations? Contact us and we’ll gladly get your project going.

As a rule of a thumb, one roll of SikaTack® Panel Fixing Tape yields about 108 lft and one Unipack of SikaTack® Panel-50 (adhesive) yields to about 59 lft of single bond-line. Material waste needs to be considered, based on job conditions and experience of the installation team. Estimates for the consumption of SikaTack® Panel Primer or Sika® Aktivator-205 can only be provided based on project-specific recommendations.

For additional info, contact Sika Corp. at (248)-577-0020 or TSHM@us.sika.com.

Since structural bonding applications are critical applications and conditions / substrates may vary greatly, customers and applicators must test the suitability of the product for each specific project and contact Sika for advice. The SikaTack® Panel System General Guideline provides some guidance for specific types of surfaces.

However, Sika has performed adhesion tests with different panels and framing, and will perform tests specific to your job and materials if they haven't been tested before.

7 to 21 days for full cure, with variation based on temperature, humidity, and dew point. Always reference current Product Data Sheet for complete info.

For additional info, contact Sika Corp. at (248)-577-0020 or TSHM@us.sika.com.

STPS can be designed to carry the loads of horizontal underhang and ceiling configurations. However, local requirements, as well as project or building type specific limitations, may ask for additional measures for overhead applications. In any case, a soffit panel must not allow any stagnating water or accumulation of dirt on top of it.

That depends on your definition of extreme. The system can be installed in both summer and winter seasons, but within a range of 40° and 95° F ambient and surface conditions. Conditions outside of this range might require additional evaluation or specific concepts for product storage, working place set-up, and Quality Control.

Please refer to Product Data Sheet for exact system properties.

Yes, with proper training, Sika’s system can be installed just as quickly (or quicker) than mechanical face fix, where screws or rivets are used, and STPS outperforms these same panel fixation methods. Benefits include even stress distribution due to adhesive uniformity (continuous adhesion vs. periodic fasteners), less warping, stronger overall bond, and flex in bonding materials, among other system attributes.

SikaTack® Panel System is an engineered system, providing a design stress for wind pressure and panel weight, as well as joint movements between sub-framing and panel. Based on a project-specific system verification, STPS provides optimal safety and durability. Elastic joint properties help to reduce panel distortion and peak stress. An appropriate design of the bonding components might also allow an optimization of panel thickness and result in additional savings of material, weight, and labor costs.

The product performs well in weather extremes, including cold temperatures. Thermal dilatation between panel and subframe must be considered, providing an adhesive joint design appropriate for bonded materials and temperature range. Refer to Product Data Sheet for service temperatures.

Yes – Sika offers a warranty program. The warranty requirements are based on project conditions and the required warranty term. The warranty request must be submitted to Sika before system installation. Please contact your local Sika territory manager during design phase and prior to project start.

Representatives from Sika and Omnis will come to your shop or job site and train your team on how to install panels with SikaTack® Panel System. Training sessions are typically half-day visits, virtual training is also available.

It depends on the size of the panels. Typically, 2 to 3 installers attach a panel to the desired wall space, but prep and adhesive application can be done by one person.

STPS is compatible with numerous panel types and manufacturers. Sika has performed substrate adhesion testing with many different panels, and will test the suitability of the panels used for each specific project.

For additional info, contact Sika Corp. at (248)-577-0020 or TSHM@us.sika.com.

Unfortunately, you cannot. Panels need to be attached to vertical framing when using SikaTack® Panel System for jobsite applications. Advice on specific applications is available on request from the Technical Department of Sika Industry.

For additional info, contact Sika Corp. at (248)-577-0020 or TSHM@us.sika.com.

Your team should be knowledgeable in rainscreen panel installation, and that’s where we can help! Sika’s jobsite support and applicator training will help your team to become experts in using SikaTack® Panel System.

Sika provides reports and certificates, for example Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), a GreenCircle Certificate, and an emissions report (according to CDPH Standard Method Version 1.2) for SikaTack® Panel-50, qualifying for “Green Building,” “Well,” or “LEED” credits.

Sika Corporation has partnered with Omnis Panels to be our specialized distributor of SikaTack® Panel System here in the U.S. for Rainscreen Panel Bonding. Architects looking for a smooth appearance for interior or exterior wall panels appreciate the aesthetics and strength of the SikaTack® Panel System, while installers love the speed and cost savings of the system. SikaTack® Panel System is an ideal complement to various lightweight panel products.