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badkat · 02-10-2015, 11:20 AM

Putting up a sheet of stainless steel for my backsplash. Since this is an exterior wall, what length of screw would be enough and not too much? Also hanging a stainless steel basket in the middle.

I am somewhat handy but do not know how thick the wall is and do not want to screw up.

vinstream · 02-10-2015, 11:38 AM

I would opt for a rivet over a screw if you want a mechanical fastener. I am not sure of your substrate but in the past I have used VHB two sided tape. The installation is clean with no fasteners visible and no worry of drilling into wires and other such things that you can not see into the wall or ribs. The basket idea is a cool one and you could firmly attach it to the sheet of stainless before instal depending on what gage SS you use. Good luck this is a very nice upgrade to your trailer.

badkat · 02-10-2015, 01:40 PM

Love the tape idea but thinking about putting the basket under the spice cabinet. Fits very well there and will not get real greasy. Thanks!

AnnArborBob · 02-10-2015, 03:45 PM

I second the rivet idea. Also, I think it would look better than exposed screw heads.

But if you insist on using screws, realize that the wall cavity is basically hollow (sure, there is fiberglass insulation) so unless you manage to hit a rib the only place where the screw would be able to gain a hold would be the thickness of the interior skin. Thus, a fairly short screw (3/8" to 1/2") would give you as much hold as you are ever going to get from a screw.

Tim A. · 02-10-2015, 05:03 PM

AnnArborBob is right that a short screw would be best.

If you do use screws, make sure that the hole you drill in the stainless is large enough for the screw to simply drop through. For maximum grip on the aluminum sheet of the wall, punch holes (don't drill) in the aluminum with a sharply pointed awl, making sure that the resultant hole is much smaller than the diameter of the screw. That gives you a small flange on the inside which will help hold the screw better and help avoid having it strip out of the thin aluminum.

Tim

07007 · 02-11-2015, 02:07 PM

As an AS newbee I had never used rivets and had no idea how to do it, but after watching utube video I gave it a try. I was blown away by how simple a concept it was. I'm in the mist of an interior referb and using rivets to solve most of my problems. I picked up an aluminum sheet at Ace and will be using it as a back splash for the two burner gas top I'm installing and dumping the old stove. Since the 2 burner is so small I'm thinking of using a sheet under the stove too since I'll be replacing the entire counter top and want to have something that will be ez to keep clean.

badkat · 02-11-2015, 03:23 PM

Love the tape idea. Problem now is getting a shop to trim the stainless at a reasonable price. Need 3 straight cuts..Also..07007 should read Watson's Wander blog. They recently covered over their aluminum back splash because it was too hard to keep clean. They used stainless tiles..looks great!

vinstream · 02-11-2015, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badkat

Love the tape idea. Problem now is getting a shop to trim the stainless at a reasonable price. Need 3 straight cuts..Also..07007 should read Watson's Wander blog. They recently covered over their aluminum back splash because it was too hard to keep clean. They used stainless tiles..looks great!

It might be worth your time and effort to find a shop that has a laser machine or sheer to cut it, sheer would be cheaper. Stainless sheet is hard to cut... 22 to 24 gage would be all you would need if your going over existing aluminum...

Glenritas · 02-11-2015, 06:45 PM

If you cut stainless yourself cut it larger and then grind it to the final size.

But first experiment on a scrap piece . Use whatever device be it a hand shear , jig saw or a Harbor Freight power shear.

Mark your finish cut to line and cut about 1/2" larger then the cut line then grind down to the cut to line. Depending on what you used to cut the piece it will give you an idea on how close to the final cut line you can get.

Put painters tape on you finish piece to protect the finish while cutting.

badkat · 02-12-2015, 07:25 AM

It is 24 gauge..will look for someone to trim it. One welding shop wanted $50. Will shop some more. The aluminum is covered with film and plan on not taking it off til installed.

badkat · 02-12-2015, 03:03 PM

Got it trimmed but not up yet. Bought ShurTape for indoor/outdoor carpet..maybe need to look at tape some more.

Next question..should I put a bead of clear caulk on the corian back edge of stove for a little cushion for the stainless in travel r something else?

vinstream · 02-13-2015, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badkat

Got it trimmed but not up yet. Bought ShurTape for indoor/outdoor carpet..maybe need to look at tape some more.

Next question..should I put a bead of clear caulk on the corian back edge of stove for a little cushion for the stainless in travel r something else?

I would only use 3M VHB tape period!

It might be a tad bit work but it might be nice if you had the shop cutting your stainless put a small 90 degree bend with a sheet metal break that would rest on the top of the counter and not use caulk for a more custom finished look.