Plastic Repair Question

[vt_maverick]

I have a line on these if I want them, but before I commit, does anyone know if it's possible to repair cracks in plastic like this? And if not, is anyone interested in using them to make molds for new ones?

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3269/0110.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3269/0210.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3269/041.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3269/0314.jpg

[VX KAT]

Is that the JDM ones?

[atilla_the_fun]

Are you kidding, you wouldn't buy them even if they were cracked?!!?

This hard plastic responds well to 2 part epoxy or superglue, just go easy on them and maybe sand down the areas-post-glue to make sure they are nice and flat.

Can these be re-fabbed?? Like if you sent them to morgantech, or whoever makes the reglar ones - lol.

[vt_maverick]

They are the JDM ones Sue.

ATF - I may take them to a glass and body shop and see if they have some sort of resin they can put in there to fix it...

[89Vette]

What are they?

Plastic "welders" exist and make repairs to plastic best. They actually heat the plastic so it fuses itself back together.

They do make "plastic" superglue but I've yet to be thrilled with any plastic repair. If they make a plastic epoxy, that's what I'd try first.

Duplicolor and SEM make great spray dyes if you need to refinish after you're done. This stuff is very thin show it shows everything. OTOH, it's very durable ad professional looking. Much better than paint where paint isn't' desired. Best part is it won't chip if prepped correctly.

[atilla_the_fun]

It seems that one of the cracks is on a part of the visor that should be clear. Maybe the reheating would be best.

They are so rare, that it is almost better to take them to a professional as VT mentioned.

[Vendetta]

I thought the JDM ones sat outside the window channel, and those appear to sit inside the channel.

Regardless, first thing I suggest you do is find a place to dupe them so you could sell them to our membership. They would surely sell, and I'd be your first customer.

-V

[vt_maverick]

Here's a pic of the mounting hardware:

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3269/052.jpg

[blacksambo]

We'd sure be happy to pay what ever to get a pair for our VX's. Thanks for the chance to respond.

[Jpuga87]

i bought this a few weeks ago. and it works awesome :bgwb: will fix plastic parts to stronger new. i always use the stainless steel wire mesh and melt it into the plastic and smooth it out with plastic filler.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HL2010E-Steinel-LCD-heat-gun-kit-INTELLITEMP-34859-/140705740091?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20c2b7353b#ht_2038wt_1163

i would not recommend fiber glass repairs as it almost never sticks and over time it will become undone if your not actually bonding it to fiber glass.

and heres a quick tutorial on how to repair plastic using that exact gun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t3rOrPbQj0

[vt_maverick]

But won't you be able to see the stainless steel mesh in the clear plastic when you're done?

[Jpuga87]

ohh had no idea they where clear. but yes the mesh be visable.

[Mile High VX]

I was out on the site from Japan that does some of the mods (thanks for the link JohnnyApollo) and noticed that the shape of the leading edge was done so that the folding mirror on the JDM model could be used.

I'd be glad to help fund the efforts to get these made once again.

[vt_maverick]

Thanks for the offer Earl, I may take you and hopefully others up on that in the future. I got a screaming good deal on them but the shipping from Australia is going to be nuts ($300) because of their size and shape. And then I'd have to risk that investment in allowing a mold to be made, either by a member here or a fabrication company, which by itself will probably cost a nice chunk of change. Thinking about maybe taking on investors once they get here, with the idea being that anyone who throws in is first in line for new ones.

We'll see, they have to get here first and who knows how long that will take.

[blacksambo]

I'd be happy to throw in, just say the word.

[Vendetta]

Maybe time to re-up this other thread (http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?p=234829#post234829)?

-V

[vt_maverick]

I think I'll hold off until I get them here. I see Ron was interested in measurements to produce them so I'll reach out to him as well.

[Vendetta]

Do it.

JDM flared styling + window channel mounting + wide availability = epic win.

-V

[vt_maverick]

When I see opportunity, I jump in it. ;)

[Vendetta]

But I (http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2dc30b3127cceff030a36dae500000030O02EatGzZm1Yg9 vPhI/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/) also like saveengs teh moneh.

[VX KAT]

I got a screaming good deal on them but the shipping from Australia is going to be nuts ($300) because of their size and shape. And then I'd have to risk that investment in allowing a mold to be made, either by a member here or a fabrication company, which by itself will probably cost a nice chunk of change. Thinking about maybe taking on investors once they get here, with the idea being that anyone who throws in is first in line for new ones.

Totally understandable.....a few thought I was way overly neurotic/worried :rolleyes: about shipping out my "Ron" plastic skids so molds could be made....both risk of shipping and any destructive aspects.

[VXorado]

I'm working on a new headlight shroud and have been collecting materials to plastic mold. I might be able to take on a vent visor molding project :thumbup:.

[Y33TREKker]

I've used this stuff in the past on various plastics projects (Plexiglass, OEM automotive taillights, etc) and have had good success.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1390216

Product Details


3 grams
Works on most plastics and acrylic
Takes 5-15 seconds to work
Unique patented application allows you to draw a straight line of glue
Application draws glue back into the tube so it is clog- proof
Dries clear

It's especially made for bonding plastics, and it dries clear which would be helpful in this case. And best of all, it can be found at your local Ace Hardware store.

If you're just looking to keep the cracks from getting worse, even better, although from my experience even if you were simply repairing them for use on your VX where they'd be seen by all, I doubt that anyone would even notice the repairs unless they were going out of their way to look for them.

I'd also put my name in the hat as interested if a mold project gets started for offering duplicates.

[tysamigo]

I might be able to take on a vent visor molding project :thumbup:.

That would be cooooooool :)

[vt_maverick]

Well it's a done deal - I paid the seller tonight and the parts will depart Australia for the US tomorrow afternoon. Rudy (ron) and I struck a deal so I'm having the parts shipped directly to him to assess whether or not they can be duplicated.

I keep saying "parts" plural because the box of goodies will also contain JDM drilled aluminum pedals and what may be JDM rear mud guards. :naughty:

[vt_maverick]

JDM drilled pedals...
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3269/medium/00.jpg http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3269/Dead_Pedal.JPG

Here's the question mark. I own a set of JDM mud guards, and while these look very similar, they're definitely not the same. The seller didn't take a pic of the other side, which would probably be the only definitive way to tell. But he threw them in for free because he wasn't sure, so I said what the heck. :)

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3269/medium/062.jpg

[vt_maverick]

Well it's a done deal - I paid the seller tonight and the parts will depart Australia for the US tomorrow afternoon. Rudy (ron) and I struck a deal so I'm having the parts shipped directly to him to assess whether or not they can be duplicated.

I keep saying "parts" plural because the box of goodies will also contain JDM drilled aluminum pedals and what may be JDM rear mud guards. :naughty:

Slight hiccup with shipping so the parts only departed Australia today their time (Monday). Hopefully they will be in Ron's hands within a week! :)

[PK]

They definitely are not the genuine OEM mudflaps.

I have one mudflap that I removed because the other had been ripped off by the PO.
The genuine OEM flaps are the same plastic, and the same colour, as the cladding.
They have a deep moulded recess the same contour as the cladding.

PK

[vt_maverick]

I have no idea what these are made of and what color they are under all that dirt. I'll clean them up and take pictures against the cladding so you guys can see what you think. Who knows, maybe they'll look nice and we'll have a new aftermarket option.

[VXorado]

Those are pretty sweet pedals you're getting. :thumbup:

[vt_maverick]

Hopefully you guys will all have the opportunity to get them too. :)

[maxprime]

If you reproducing those window shields. That's easy. just make a mold of each shield and make sure the surface is smooth.Then take hi-temp release and coat the mold then take 1/8 or 1/16th lexan and heat it on the mold with a rose bud tiped torch and the lexan will soften and mold itself to the mold.
When it is cooled. pop it off ,trim it and you have a brand new one.
This is the same way we make quick whole roof moon roofs in vehicles.