Emergency plastics repair tip...

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...discovered this actually works. Came across this on another forum but only had cause to try it out in anger recently.

If you happen to have an accident with broken fairings and/or other plastics while out and about (touring for example). Generally find this happens when it's late or on a Sunday when the shops are shut! Plus useful if it's a must repair item (e.g. indicator) in order to continue journey.

Anyhow, get hold of some superglue and bicarbonate of soda (bicarb or baking soda, not baking powder!). Give thanks for 24hr supermarkets and Dr. Oetker.

As for superglue I found the gel type worked for me as it's far less runny and found it sticks better. Although I think any can do.

Stick your broken bits together with the superglue. You may have to hold so a 2nd pair of hands is useful. Then, here's the clever bit, put more superglue over the join on the inside (and outside if required) and then sprinkle this with the bicarb. You could even sprinkle bicarb over the join before adding more superglue. The inside stuff acts as a splint over the join. It sets rock solid with the bicarb (some chemistry happening there) and leaves a white frosted finish.

You can then build up your 3D jigsaw of broken plastic.

It's actually better and quicker than some contact adhesives I've tried or even epoxy. These probably will give a better job but you know they lie when they say sets in 5 minutes.

It's not pretty though and you may get funny looks dealing with white powder (maybe a rolled up piece of paper could make a better delivery system ). I have not had a go at sanding down the result for painting but it does look possible.

As said if you have time and the tools then doing the job with plastic welding would be better and give cleaner results. This is just a quick and cheap get you home fix.

Obviously the longer you can leave it before reattaching the plastics the better.

Hope this may help someone
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[stinkwheel]

Lego brick and acetone (nail varnish remover) will make a gooey plastic mess you can smear across the back of the crack.

Both also available in Tesco.

Melting a small hole through the plastic at the point of a crack can help prevent it spreading further.
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