Best fix for plastic crack ?

Tried the ABS cement solution you suggested and it seems to do a really nice job. Thanks!

Thanks guys I'll give it a try

Hammy wrote:

Cosmic_Jumper wrote:

I've had excellent success repairing cracks & broken mounting tabs using ABS plumbing cement (Not PVC cement) and fiberglass drywall tape.

You're going to have to clean off the dirt & stuff from the underside of the crack first. Then smear a layer of ABS cement around the crack and apply a layer of the fiberglass tape. Allow it to set up for about 20 minutes and then apply another layer of ABS and Tape. The whole mess will cure in 24 hours, but it does initially set in a much shorter time.

ABS Plumbing Cement can be difficult to locate in some areas because of state or local prohibitions against ABS material used for plumbing. I got a small can of the stuff from Lowe's but I had to find it in New Jersey, as none was available in Delaware, Penna or NY. You might also check with an RV shop as RV use ABS in the drain systems.

You can also use nail polish remover as it is 100% acetone --the working ingredient in ABS cement. The ABS cement is thick & gooey and also contains ground up ABS plastic. While acetone is very liquid so you've got to be careful it doesn't get on the painted side of the tupperware.

AFAIK the main ingredients in a Plastex Kit are acetone and ground abs plastic.

You can also do a google search for methylene chloride acrylic cement.

I can attest to the success of using Tim's technique as he's fixed many a cracked piece of plastic on my Silverwing that way.

Cosmic_Jumper wrote:

I've had excellent success repairing cracks & broken mounting tabs using ABS plumbing cement (Not PVC cement) and fiberglass drywall tape.

You're going to have to clean off the dirt & stuff from the underside of the crack first. Then smear a layer of ABS cement around the crack and apply a layer of the fiberglass tape. Allow it to set up for about 20 minutes and then apply another layer of ABS and Tape. The whole mess will cure in 24 hours, but it does initially set in a much shorter time.

ABS Plumbing Cement can be difficult to locate in some areas because of state or local prohibitions against ABS material used for plumbing. I got a small can of the stuff from Lowe's but I had to find it in New Jersey, as none was available in Delaware, Penna or NY. You might also check with an RV shop as RV use ABS in the drain systems.

You can also use nail polish remover as it is 100% acetone --the working ingredient in ABS cement. The ABS cement is thick & gooey and also contains ground up ABS plastic. While acetone is very liquid so you've got to be careful it doesn't get on the painted side of the tupperware.

AFAIK the main ingredients in a Plastex Kit are acetone and ground abs plastic.

You can also do a google search for methylene chloride acrylic cement.

I can attest to the success of using Tim's technique as he's fixed many a cracked piece of plastic on my Silverwing that way.

Thanks John, the location of the crack is so highly visible that I wouldn't think that using screws and metal would be a good solution. The plastic in the front fender is also super thin.

john grinsel wrote:

Underside plastic on left side of my SilverWing developed crack, two pieces of soft metal that said BMW on them (from Junk box) Drilled small pilot holes in plastic, used stainless self tapping screws.

No glue necessary and repair looked pretty good and most important lasted.

Thanks - great info. the crack is so tight, I might try just applying the ABS cement to the underside without the fiberglass tape. I never thought of that - I've done some plumbing with ABS cement and I know it sort of "melts" the plastic so maybe it will melt the crack together

Cosmic_Jumper wrote:

I've had excellent success repairing cracks & broken mounting tabs using ABS plumbing cement (Not PVC cement) and fiberglass drywall tape.

You're going to have to clean off the dirt & stuff from the underside of the crack first. Then smear a layer of ABS cement around the crack and apply a layer of the fiberglass tape. Allow it to set up for about 20 minutes and then apply another layer of ABS and Tape. The whole mess will cure in 24 hours, but it does initially set in a much shorter time.

ABS Plumbing Cement can be difficult to locate in some areas because of state or local prohibitions against ABS material used for plumbing. I got a small can of the stuff from Lowe's but I had to find it in New Jersey, as none was available in Delaware, Penna or NY. You might also check with an RV shop as RV use ABS in the drain systems.

You can also use nail polish remover as it is 100% acetone --the working ingredient in ABS cement. The ABS cement is thick & gooey and also contains ground up ABS plastic. While acetone is very liquid so you've got to be careful it doesn't get on the painted side of the tupperware.

AFAIK the main ingredients in a Plastex Kit are acetone and ground abs plastic.

You can also do a google search for methylene chloride acrylic cement.

I've had excellent success repairing cracks & broken mounting tabs using ABS plumbing cement (Not PVC cement) and fiberglass drywall tape.

You're going to have to clean off the dirt & stuff from the underside of the crack first. Then smear a layer of ABS cement around the crack and apply a layer of the fiberglass tape. Allow it to set up for about 20 minutes and then apply another layer of ABS and Tape. The whole mess will cure in 24 hours, but it does initially set in a much shorter time.

ABS Plumbing Cement can be difficult to locate in some areas because of state or local prohibitions against ABS material used for plumbing. I got a small can of the stuff from Lowe's but I had to find it in New Jersey, as none was available in Delaware, Penna or NY. You might also check with an RV shop as RV use ABS in the drain systems.

You can also use nail polish remover as it is 100% acetone --the working ingredient in ABS cement. The ABS cement is thick & gooey and also contains ground up ABS plastic. While acetone is very liquid so you've got to be careful it doesn't get on the painted side of the tupperware.

AFAIK the main ingredients in a Plastex Kit are acetone and ground abs plastic.

You can also do a google search for methylene chloride acrylic cement.

I noticed a vertical crack right in the middle of the the front fender. It's about 3 inches long, starting from the leading edge and is hardly noticable , I though it was a scratch but if you push on it, it separates. Is there a good glue or plastic weld that would be best to fix this with. I'd guess it would have to be pretty strong to resist flexing

Thanks