GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Jace009gs on April 01, 2007, 02:16:26 PM

Title: vibrating plastic crack?
Post by: Jace009gs on April 01, 2007, 02:16:26 PM
On my rear fairing the plastic has started to crack right at the base of mounting tab....I have attempted to fill in the crack with JB weld but that proved unsuccessful....JB just dosn't "bond" to plastic....

What else can I use to keep the crack from stretching out? can I apply some sort of fiberglass reinforcement to the back side? What about using a blow tourch while the crack is clamped together then if the plastic happens to "deform" I can fill in some of the low spots with body puddy then repaint it??? <<that was my best idea but I assume there is great risk in not melting the plastic.....

ANY IDEAS/products I should look at before trying my tourch?
Title: Re: vibrating plastic crack?
Post by: spc on April 01, 2007, 02:35:21 PM
I don't think i would take a torch to it. the flame is going to be too high of a heat.  if you're really serious about melting it back together I would suggest a soldering iron on the lowest setting possible.   Fiberglassing it would probably work just as well, but fiberglass is a pain in the ass ( and other areas literally sometimes) if you don't know what you're doing. :thumb: :thumb:
Title: Re: vibrating plastic crack?
Post by: sledge on April 01, 2007, 03:22:09 PM
Plastic welding is the only effective answer. You can bond and glue as much as you like but it will never be as good. The hard part is finding someone who can do it. BTW its lot more complicated than just playing heat on the affected parts, try it and you will do more harm than good.

http://www.steve-edwards.com/plastic.php
Title: Re: vibrating plastic crack?
Post by: The Buddha on April 01, 2007, 03:54:16 PM
A vibrating plastic crack ... damn that sounds like someone's got a plastic girlfriend ...
An ... is that what you did with the donations ...  O0
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Re: vibrating plastic crack?
Post by: DerekNC on April 01, 2007, 05:12:32 PM
The absolute best repair I've found is baking soda and cyanacrylate(Super Glue). I tried the other methods such as fiberglass and using a soldering iron to melt the plastic back. The baking soda and Super Glue is so strong I actually remade the missing mounting tabs on my Fizzer and they haven't broke loose yet. It makes an extremely strong repair but is a little hard to sand.
BTW, I got my Super Glue at Walmart for less than a $1 for 4 tubes, enough for a lot of repair work.
Title: Re: vibrating plastic crack?
Post by: dgyver on April 01, 2007, 05:48:27 PM
I use a plastic solvent glue found at hobby stores. It used for models. The fairings are ABS. The solvent will wick into the crack and melt the pieces together. If used carefully it will not harm the paint. I have used the type of solvent for over 20 years with great results.
Title: Re: vibrating plastic crack?
Post by: Jace009gs on April 01, 2007, 08:26:04 PM
thanks I'll try the ABS hobby glue first (cA+ glue) the try the walmart special :laugh:
Title: Re: vibrating plastic crack?
Post by: Trwhouse on April 01, 2007, 09:00:24 PM
Hi there,
I've always heard that the way to solve a spreading crack in plastic is to drill a small hole at the end of the crack (to stop the spread), then to patch it with filler and refinish it.
I believe that's the hot set up for fixing it.

Best wishes, and let us know how it goes.

Yours,
Todd