Quick Repair Advice
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 535
Likes: 13
From: California High Desert
Quick Repair Advice
Some of you may remember this post from a few months back:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...mping-now.html
To sum it all up, I made an error in judgment and tore the wastewater manifold off my trailer. Most of the damage was minor, but I did tear the outlet off the greywater tank.
I have family visiting in 2 weeks and we plan on doing a lot of camping. We did some tent camping after I broke it so didn't repair it yet. Unfortunately now I have neither the time or the money right now to tear up my bathroom floor so I can replace my greywater tank. Does anyone have an idea how I can temporarily repair the outlet on my greywater tank so it will hold water.
The hole in the tank is slightly jagged but not too bad. It is fairly close to the size of the 2" outlet that was torn out. I was thinking about gluing a bulkhead fitting to the tank, but I'm not sure if it would actually hold. I've considered JB Weld, Epoxy, and even fiberglass mesh and resin. Either using these to glue a replacement outlet it place or to glue the original back place.
Any ideas?
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...mping-now.html
To sum it all up, I made an error in judgment and tore the wastewater manifold off my trailer. Most of the damage was minor, but I did tear the outlet off the greywater tank.
I have family visiting in 2 weeks and we plan on doing a lot of camping. We did some tent camping after I broke it so didn't repair it yet. Unfortunately now I have neither the time or the money right now to tear up my bathroom floor so I can replace my greywater tank. Does anyone have an idea how I can temporarily repair the outlet on my greywater tank so it will hold water.
The hole in the tank is slightly jagged but not too bad. It is fairly close to the size of the 2" outlet that was torn out. I was thinking about gluing a bulkhead fitting to the tank, but I'm not sure if it would actually hold. I've considered JB Weld, Epoxy, and even fiberglass mesh and resin. Either using these to glue a replacement outlet it place or to glue the original back place.
Any ideas?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 12
From: Upstate NY
Maybe this stuff will work for you - Plasti-Mend Black along with some ABS cement (if it's the usual black plastic tank and piping). Do a google to check out the price plus labor for a replacement tank and you will try almost anything that sounds like it might work
If you do end up using it, please post your experience as some of us have 'tank problems' too
If you do end up using it, please post your experience as some of us have 'tank problems' too
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 22
From: very South Texas
whatever you do.. remember water/gray is 8 pounds per gallon TIMES the amount your tank holds...
attach then reinforce... maybe twice of reinforcement...
clean area well and clean it again.. then sand so product will hold.. and clean again .. then apply whatever product you deside to use.
the Best of Luck... and report back.
attach then reinforce... maybe twice of reinforcement...
clean area well and clean it again.. then sand so product will hold.. and clean again .. then apply whatever product you deside to use.
the Best of Luck... and report back.
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 535
Likes: 13
From: California High Desert
I believe my tanks are polyethylene. I'm finding it very hard to find anything that works well on polyethylene as far as glues. Looks like hot air welding is the best method, my problem with that it won't be cheap to do that either since I'll have to buy a hot air gun or one of the soldering iron ones, if they even work.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
I don't know of any glues that are recommended for use on poly. I just researched this topic last week for a job I have to do. I haven't hot air welded for years, but in principal the result is actually stronger than the original tank and it is not very hard to do.
I know, the cost is a stumbling block! The cheapest I have found is Northern Parts.
Steve
I know, the cost is a stumbling block! The cheapest I have found is Northern Parts.
Steve
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,914
Likes: 9
From: Thomaston
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
Likes: 1,432
From: Millersville, MD
I have found that things from H.F. are good for a one-time use. But even IF that is true, that price would be worth it. (If it works!)
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 22
From: very South Texas
if you do not have an air compressor
HF offers this one with more heat and a little more cost.
Plastic Welding Kit
I have NOT used any of these.
HF offers this one with more heat and a little more cost.
Plastic Welding Kit
I have NOT used any of these.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
I have not used these specific ones and the one I did use did not require a compressor. They are really basic, but then all they are is a glorified heat gun. They simply make it easier to precisely direct the heat.
Given the OP's situation, is there another alternative?
Steve
Given the OP's situation, is there another alternative?
Steve
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,748
Likes: 118
From: Tallassee, ALabama
JB Weld make an epoxy for bonding Polypropylene & Polyethylene Plastics called Plastic Bonder. Similar epoxy is used to repair plastic bumpers on vehicles.
I used this on my freshwater tank that had two holes rubbed in it from the #14 sheet metal screws holding the rear screw jacks on my Keystone Outback 5'r. Worked great and no leaks on recent 7800 mile rode trip to Washington state from Alabama.
Plastic Bonder Syringe | J-B Weld
I used this on my freshwater tank that had two holes rubbed in it from the #14 sheet metal screws holding the rear screw jacks on my Keystone Outback 5'r. Worked great and no leaks on recent 7800 mile rode trip to Washington state from Alabama.
Plastic Bonder Syringe | J-B Weld
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
From the FAQ section of JB Weld for this product:
"J-B Weld will not adhere or bond well to:
Any flexible rubber surface
Leather
Vinyl
Canvas
Polypropylene plastic
Polyethylene plastic"
Kind of confusing, when I went to their site under FAQ, but it sure sounds like it works, so maybe the FAQ isn't for this product?
Steve
"J-B Weld will not adhere or bond well to:
Any flexible rubber surface
Leather
Vinyl
Canvas
Polypropylene plastic
Polyethylene plastic"
Kind of confusing, when I went to their site under FAQ, but it sure sounds like it works, so maybe the FAQ isn't for this product?
Steve
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 12
From: Upstate NY
From the FAQ section of JB Weld for this product:
"J-B Weld will not adhere or bond well to:
Any flexible rubber surface
Leather
Vinyl
Canvas
Polypropylene plastic
Polyethylene plastic"
Kind of confusing, when I went to their site under FAQ, but it sure sounds like it works, so maybe the FAQ isn't for this product?
Steve
"J-B Weld will not adhere or bond well to:
Any flexible rubber surface
Leather
Vinyl
Canvas
Polypropylene plastic
Polyethylene plastic"
Kind of confusing, when I went to their site under FAQ, but it sure sounds like it works, so maybe the FAQ isn't for this product?
Steve
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
JB Weld make an epoxy for bonding Polypropylene & Polyethylene Plastics called Plastic Bonder. Similar epoxy is used to repair plastic bumpers on vehicles.
I used this on my freshwater tank that had two holes rubbed in it from the #14 sheet metal screws holding the rear screw jacks on my Keystone Outback 5'r. Worked great and no leaks on recent 7800 mile rode trip to Washington state from Alabama.
Plastic Bonder Syringe | J-B Weld
I used this on my freshwater tank that had two holes rubbed in it from the #14 sheet metal screws holding the rear screw jacks on my Keystone Outback 5'r. Worked great and no leaks on recent 7800 mile rode trip to Washington state from Alabama.
Plastic Bonder Syringe | J-B Weld
How big was the repair area and was it on the bottom of the tank? I have to repair a fresh water tank where the customer put in a new drain plug and tightened it too much partially ripping off the expanded part the plug screws into.
I guess I can't see any harm in trying the J-B and can always hot air weld it, if the JB doesn't hold. I am trying to avoid pulling the entire tank and replacing, but since they actually use the fresh water tank when camping in the National Forest, my repair has to hold.
Thanks,
Steve
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,748
Likes: 118
From: Tallassee, ALabama
Steve, the holes were about 3/8" in diameter....it dried fairly quickly as epoxy does...poked around the area and could not see any area that was not adhered....
I think the FAQ's are generic and most seem to be related to the original JB Weld product and not the specialty products.
I think the FAQ's are generic and most seem to be related to the original JB Weld product and not the specialty products.