Repairing plastic
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
Repairing plastic
I need to repair a plastic windshield washer reservoir that is leaking. Does anybody know the exact material it is constructed from (PVC, polyethylene, etc.)? Any suggestions regarding methods and materials (e.g. JB weld, plastic welding)? Any success stories? Thank you for all responses.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 407
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From: ct.
One of my sons crashed and punctured a hole in a plastic gas tank on his dirt bike a few years ago. I looked into plastic welding or buying new, then had a buddy suggest a torch and flat head screwdriver. I heated the screwdriver (continuously) then slowly skimmed plastic to fill the hole. Worked like a charm. Never leaked a gain. Best of all it didn't cost a penny to fix. Just watch not to skim to much from an area. Take your time and it should work fine.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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A soldering iron can be used. If you have a pencil type unit sometimes you can find wide tips to put on it. They used to sell a wide tip for soldering guns also. Check with the hobby stores also. The easiest route to go is just to replace the part with a unit from a salvage yard. Sometimes using heat for repair like this can result in a brittle section that will crack again.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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Nothing seems to stick to polyethylene. If he gets adhesives on there it will be beyond repair.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Atlanta GA
Northern Tools and U.S. Plastics sell plastic welding kits. You can buy (plastic) rods from U.S. Plastics too.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Charlotte
"Northern Tools and U.S. Plastics sell plastic welding kits. You can buy (plastic) rods from U.S. Plastics too."
As does Harbor Freight and it has worked great for me for the last five years at 29.95.
As does Harbor Freight and it has worked great for me for the last five years at 29.95.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Originally Posted by Ranger88Den
I need to repair a plastic windshield washer reservoir that is leaking. Does anybody know the exact material it is constructed from (PVC, polyethylene, etc.)? Any suggestions regarding methods and materials (e.g. JB weld, plastic welding)? Any success stories? Thank you for all responses.
Also, you and make yourself some "welding rods" out of milk jugs, or any other polyethtlene throwaway container. Melt the crack with your soldering iron and feed in you rod. Works.
The Pacifier
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,245
Likes: 7
From: Cloverdale, BC
There's also some other stuff you could use, but it's a bit expensive. But there's a 2 part epoxy that will fix ALL automotive plastic structurally, you just need a bit of 40 grit sandpaper, some mesh tape, and a bondo applicator. You might be able to get it at NAPA. If all the other posted ideas don't work, this stuff will.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 24,418
Likes: 3
From: San Francisco, Ca.
I had the top of my w/w reservoir come off on my truck.
I tried all of those plastic adhesives, but none worked.
Hello sheet metal screws.
Worst comes to worst, I'll just get an aftermarket reservoir.
I tried all of those plastic adhesives, but none worked.
Hello sheet metal screws.
Worst comes to worst, I'll just get an aftermarket reservoir.