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pepperami
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PostPosted: 11:56 - 12 Jun 2020    Post subject: Plastics repairs? Reply with quote

I’m in the process of buying a scrapper for parts for my current bike.
As I’m going to pull it to pieces, I thought I would try to rescue the plastics that have a few minor cracks in places.

I have searched ‘teh net’ and nothing particularly jumps out at me.
I haven’t got a plastic welder and taking parts to a specialist would not be a financial option.

So oh mighty BCF , I seek your wisdom.

Can anyone recommend a particular product they have used with success?
Any particular tips about how I would go about this?
What should I avoid?

Thank you Thumbs Up
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wr6133
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PostPosted: 12:14 - 12 Jun 2020    Post subject: Reply with quote

The powder filler (and liquid to mix it with) that women use for acrylic nails.

It does everything this claims at a fraction of the cost https://www.plastex.net/ (this stuff is just nail filler and liquid with a markup and a thing for moulding lugs).

I used it to fix an old ZZR fairing, remade lugs, stuck them in place. When I threw it down the road the repairs held and it was other bits broke.
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Robby
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PostPosted: 12:24 - 12 Jun 2020    Post subject: Reply with quote

Unibond plastic epoxy works well, I've used it for gluing lugs back and for filling cracks. Seems to remain flexible and not flake off like araldite.

Fibreglass kit from Halfords for major repairs.

Whatever you do, it will look like you filled in scratches unless you respray it.
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pepperami
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PostPosted: 12:39 - 12 Jun 2020    Post subject: Reply with quote

Interesting Thumbs Up

A trip to a nail bar Shocked Laughing might be interesting Laughing
I would had never thought of that.
Halfruads fibreglass kit might be easy to get.

I was thinking of doing the repairs from inside the fairing.
Structural integrity is more important than how it looks at this time.
I can always attempt to make it better looking at a later date.
The cracks are only minor, so it’s more of a learning exercise.
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Freddyfruitba...
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PostPosted: 13:07 - 12 Jun 2020    Post subject: Reply with quote

pepperami wrote:
Halfruads fibreglass kit might be easy to get

Careful with that, depending on the type of plastic - I did essentially that route and it didn't end well (also check the end of the link for some good stinkwheeel advice) :
https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=328534
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TheIncredible...
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PostPosted: 14:01 - 12 Jun 2020    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey Pepperami, if you have any pictures, please upload them and I'll do my best to advise.

I'm in the trade and may be able to help. Very Happy
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Kris
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PostPosted: 14:11 - 12 Jun 2020    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rebuilt an ABS mudguard with gorilla glue Thumbs Up

Just drill the ends of the cracks, wash it and ensure the joining faces are clean. Worked a dream. I left mine 48 hrs before using. Been fine for months now.
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redeem ouzzer
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PostPosted: 14:26 - 12 Jun 2020    Post subject: Reply with quote

Don't use Polyester or Epoxy resin on injection moulded plastic parts. It tends to split along the crack in time then you can't use a proper solution like Plastex to fix it because it won't touch the remains of the resin. I've just done a spare top fairing for my GSXR400 and it had an old resin repair on a crack radiating from one headlight hole outwards that had opened back up and I couldn't get Plastex to touch it. Ended up using Zap thick superglue and sanding it back to shape when cured but it's still not as strong as a bonded joint. I used Plastex to reattach most of the tail unit lugs on my 1100 and completely remake a missing lug on my 400 fairing lower using the rubberised casting bar that it comes with. It's good shit. I've not looked into the nail bar stuff as a cheap alternative yet.
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yen_powell
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PostPosted: 14:32 - 12 Jun 2020    Post subject: Reply with quote

I found a video on youtube by Delboy with a lesson on plastic welding using a soldering iron and I gave it a go on my kitchen drainer with the window open and a fan blowing any fumes away from me. I was very impressed with the results on the part of my fairing that suffered a 80mph pigeon smash* on the motorway. But remember, I only care about the crack being repaired and being strong, not a glossy finish afterwards.

*Please note, I was the one doing 80mph, the lazy bastard pigeon was probably only doing 5mph across me as I passed through him.
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Riejufixing
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PostPosted: 14:33 - 12 Jun 2020    Post subject: Re: Plastics repairs? Reply with quote

pepperami wrote:
Can anyone recommend a particular product they have used with success?

Depends what plastic it is. You will often find a "manufacture date" grid and the type of plastic imprinted on the inside if the plastics somewhere.

For ABS use solvent or solvent filler for a strong repair, see: https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=4566881 and possibly elsewhere, I've used done this a few times and it's excellent.

For fibreglass, use fibreglass.

For polypropylene, plastic welding would be best, but the pieces are often surprisingly cheap (e.g. the black "inside" bits) new (ebay tends to be pricier! Smile ).

For anything, if it's not on show, you can "stitch" the plastic using single-conductor mains cable, e.g. lighting cable, with the insulation stripped, with filler if you need/like.
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pepperami
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PostPosted: 14:42 - 12 Jun 2020    Post subject: Reply with quote

What about this? https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/370357755531?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=370357755531&targetid=909953938039&device=t&mktype=pla&googleloc=1006826&poi=&campaignid=10199419399&mkgroupid=101401895505&rlsatarget=pla-909953938039&abcId=1145984&merchantid=7321774&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7-it87_86QIVhrHtCh1zGgKREAQYCCABEgINMPD_BwE
Any good?

I’m talking about small cracks around indicators and such like.
It would be more about stopping cracks spreading than holding two half’s together.
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A100man
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PostPosted: 14:57 - 12 Jun 2020    Post subject: Re: Plastics repairs? Reply with quote

Riejufixing wrote:
pepperami wrote:
Can anyone recommend a particular product they have used with success?

Depends what plastic it is. You will often find a "manufacture date" grid and the type of plastic imprinted on the inside if the plastics somewhere.

For ABS use solvent or solvent filler for a strong repair, see: https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=4566881 and possibly elsewhere, I've used done this a few times and it's excellent.

For fibreglass, use fibreglass.

For polypropylene, plastic welding would be best, but the pieces are often surprisingly cheap (e.g. the black "inside" bits) new (ebay tends to be pricier! Smile ).

For anything, if it's not on show, you can "stitch" the plastic using single-conductor mains cable, e.g. lighting cable, with the insulation stripped, with filler if you need/like.


+1 for plumbers solvent weld glue - repaired an cheap indicator stalk with it the other day - it broke 'nicely' so wasn't a difficult fix. The stuff can get a bit messy and will need supporting during curing - 24 hrs is best.
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 15:46 - 12 Jun 2020    Post subject: Reply with quote

West systems g-flex thickened epoxy with one or two layers of Bias weave fibreglass over the back.

Flame ABS plastic first to make it key.

Don't forget to drill a stop hole at the end of the crack.

They glue smashed up kayaks back together with the stuff. Including ABS ones.
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Riejufixing
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PostPosted: 15:47 - 12 Jun 2020    Post subject: Reply with quote

pepperami wrote:
Any good

Again: What sort of plastic is it?
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pepperami
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PostPosted: 15:49 - 12 Jun 2020    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks everyone for your help Thumbs Up
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Riejufixing
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PostPosted: 15:50 - 12 Jun 2020    Post subject: Re: Plastics repairs? Reply with quote

A100man wrote:
+1 for plumbers solvent weld glue - repaired an cheap indicator stalk with it the other day - it broke 'nicely' so wasn't a difficult fix. The stuff can get a bit messy and will need supporting during curing - 24 hrs is best.

Yup. The join is the same as the original material, none of these shite dissimilar bonds. You can make filler if you need it too, by dissolving the right colour of ABS in the solvent, then using that as solvent filler.
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pepperami
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PostPosted: 15:52 - 12 Jun 2020    Post subject: Reply with quote

Riejufixing wrote:
pepperami wrote:
Any good

Again: What sort of plastic is it?


I’LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN I GET THE BIKE AND TAKE THE FAIRING OFF!
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pepperami
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PostPosted: 17:16 - 12 Jun 2020    Post subject: Reply with quote

TheIncredibleSulk wrote:
Hey Pepperami, if you have any pictures, please upload them and I'll do my best to advise.

I'm in the trade and may be able to help. Very Happy


Thank you for that.
I struggle to do pictures.
I’m on a learning curve at the moment.

I’m trying to get better at this pictures nonsense, slowly.
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Bru
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PostPosted: 18:46 - 12 Jun 2020    Post subject: Reply with quote

Definitely second vote for plumbers' solvent for ABS - like FloPlast - although it is difficult to find a tub which actually states 'for ABS', rather than just PVC. The stuff works very quickly, even on old cracks.
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Riejufixing
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PostPosted: 19:32 - 12 Jun 2020    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bru wrote:
Definitely second vote for plumbers' solvent for ABS - like FloPlast - although it is difficult to find a tub which actually states 'for ABS', rather than just PVC. The stuff works very quickly, even on old cracks.

Old cracks?? It's a bit worrying where this conversation is going!!

FloPlast SC250 is available at Wickes, Screwfix, B&Q... it's just a thickened liquid containing MEK. It's not, as you probably know, actually a glue, but a solvent cement, which liquifies the surface of the substrate, and when the liquified edges are in contact evaporates to leave only the original material.

I use plain ordinary MEK on cracks in ABS, just drop some on and it runs into the crack, then no more crack (needs to be oil-free first, though...). It's better than pipe cement because it's very runny and gets right in the crack, and also you can dissolve shavings of coloured MEK in it to make a thick gap-filling cement (a glass Marmite jar is good because neither it not the lid dissolves and it's a good seal).

You need PVC or polythene gloves, though, or just take care, because it turns nitrile ones into cornflakes in a second or two.
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jeffyjeff
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PostPosted: 22:17 - 12 Jun 2020    Post subject: Reply with quote

On Hondas with ABS fairings I have had good success by sanding down the inside of the fairing with emery cloth, then applying ABS cement from the hardware store (plumber grade). The used emery cloth makes good backing material to strengthen the repair, then apply another layer of cement over that. You can fashion new tabs by layering emery cloth over ABS cement and then clamping in a vise. Add layers as needed for thickness/strength.
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