Repairing plastic

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Sep 27, 2005 | 07:58 PM

#16

Bdox

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Joined: Sep 2005

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From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada

Also, there is a sealer/adhesive, brand name: Sikoflex Comes in a caulk type tube.

This stuff sticks to everything. Don't get it on your skin or you will be wearing it for quite a while.

Sep 27, 2005 | 09:09 PM

#17

Torque1st

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They keep urethane adhesives like sikaflex in polyethylene bottles and containers because it does not adhere well to them. The only way to fix polyethylene is to fuse it with heat.

Sep 27, 2005 | 11:48 PM

#18

Bdox

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Joined: Sep 2005

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From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada

I suggest you look inside a dried up Sikaflex tube.

Sep 28, 2005 | 01:46 AM

#19

furball69

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Joined: Jul 2003

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From: Calgary, Canada

We 'welded' two, 0.5" thick pieces of polyethylene together with a chunk of the same - used as a welding rod, and a standard Bernzomatic propane torch. If that gives you any ideas.

Sep 28, 2005 | 09:52 AM

#20

Ultraute

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Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 290

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From: South TX

Speaking of plastic repair, anyone know what kind of plastic they use for the hard interior trim?
I broke the retaining clip to the overhead sunglasses holder, and the dealership wanted to sell me the whole overhead unit. Electronics and all. I passed. I've also broken one of the studs that hold the A pillar trim on.
I've tried experimenting on the back side with PVC, CPVC, ABS, Epoxy, urethane, and super-glue. None of them adhere well, nor do they seem to melt the plastic like a solvent weld "glue" should.
There's a ton of this plastic trim in this big van of mine, and I'd sure like to know how to repair it.
Any thoughts here?

What's a plastic welder? How, and how well do they work?

Sep 28, 2005 | 10:46 AM

#21

sevenL4

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Joined: Mar 2004

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From: Klamath Falls

Sometimes I have found printing on the back side of trim pieces that says what kind of plastic it is. Usually ABS or PVC is what I've found.

Sep 28, 2005 | 12:10 PM

#22

Torque1st

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Those are ID marks required by law to be placed on plastic parts to help recycling efforts.

Epoxy, urethane, and cyanoacrylates are not "solvent" type adhesives.

Last edited by Torque1st; Sep 28, 2005 at 12:17 PM.