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Hi,

Does anyone have a preferred method of successfully bonding pvc (vinyl) top covers to polypro shells.

Seems difficult to get a long lasting adhesion of greater than 12months without slippage/wrinkling around posterior margins of the shell.

I currently use evostik impact applied thinnly to the abraded and cleaned shell, allow both surfaces to become touch dry and heat activate the vinyl so that it is plyable enough to contour around the heel cup.

Should you allow 24hrs for the bonding process to fully activate before dispensing the device for immediate use?

Would be greatful for any advice.

Thanks

Scott

 

I think you pretty much have to stay with the contact type adhesives in order to be able to clean up the shell easily and replace the top sheet as it is needed. There are stronger glues but all the ones I have seen are a difficult thing to replace the top sheet when required.
Happy to be shown different though
regards Phill Carter

 

In the absense of extensions or other mods, why does a plastic shell even need a top cover?

 

Aesthetics. You could argue about friction coefficients and horizontal component of force vectors, but ultimately its because it looks nice.

 

Fair point craig,but I generally feel that a vacuum pressed polypro shell has too slippy a surface and as simon says top covers look nice.

Do you have an answer to my question?

Thanks

scott

 

As has been said you don't need a top sheet if you don't have add ons that will be lifted off by the foot passing over them. I use an 80 grit belt to give the surface a rough finish (before I mold them)and leave it that way where I can. I've been using shells my self that way for 20 yrs, used to play a lot of squash, ski and bushwalk, it was never a problem. The rough finish helps the glue adhere top sheets better also when you are adding them

 

Having re-read your post Scott...I basically agree with you....happy to hear a better answer, but I'm not sure there is one. The rough bare shell seems to be non slippery enough for me though