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Topic: Plastic & Resin

lbserve

03/4/2011 at 1:46pm
Location: Norfolk
Outfit: 97 Swift Archway Freelander TD4

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Hi All

We went to the storage site to check our van yesterday and noticed the plastic cover on the "A" frame is cracked about 3 parts the way across.

My idea is to get 2 lengths of light steel to bridge (on the back side)the crack and encapsulate them in fibreglass & resin, my concern is will the resin bond to the plastic, anyone have any experience of this type of repair.

Regards
Len

Al+Mel

03/4/2011 at 2:40pm
Location: Hants
Outfit: Fleetwood Heritage 640 EB & ML270

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If its glassfibre (rough on the back) it will work. if its ABS (smooth on the back it won't.

Acetone is the solvent and glue for ABS and you can make a filler paste by drilling holes in scrap ABS and melting the dust/swarf into a paste with acetone.

Cheers,

A.

Aceselect

03/4/2011 at 5:44pm
Location: Nottinghamshire
Outfit: Sprite Alpine 2 Caravan

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I've just repaired some cracks with this on my A frame, I cannot recommend it highly enough. If you sear for plastaid on youtube you can see how this is used. Over here it is called plastech.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PLASTECH-PLASTIC-REPAIR-KIT-MOTORCYCLE-FAIRINGS-CRACKS-/250728313583?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3a609272ef

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David
Chillax, you're caravaning

michael

03/4/2011 at 6:07pm
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Caravan now Sold

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i had a crack in mine and fixed it with another flat piece of plastic,used lots of super glue.you can buy glue from a plumber dept used for gluing pipes together.if you are careful you will not see the crack after.

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howardbarnett

03/4/2011 at 7:54pm
Location: Barnsley South yorkshire
Outfit: Lunar dhamp

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Whatever you choose to effect the repair, it is good practice to drill a hole at the very end of each crack. This will stop the crack spreading further and the repair will be a permanent one.

brianjose

03/4/2011 at 8:14pm
Location: Coventry
Outfit: Coachman Amara Suzuki GV

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If it is ABS plastic, don't reinforce with polyester resin(glassfibre resin) as it is likelty to melt the plastic. Drill holes at the ends of the cracks to prevent further creaping, roughfen the back surface to give a key, and reinforce with your metal straps then cover with Epoxy resin and matting (as used on foam cored surfboards). Fill the front of the crack and polish

Should do the trick

Brian

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shocker

04/4/2011 at 9:40am
Location: kernow
Outfit: roma&cotswold discovery&tunnel awning

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Dont put steel in there mate,its just rust waiting to happen.If you must use metal,use aluminium,lighter and stiffer for size.But I would go with some rigid plastic,cut some out of a length of scrap UPVC window of soffit frame....your local makers will have a scrap bin full of it and will be glad to give you a bit.

michael

04/4/2011 at 5:33pm
Location: Lancashire
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i bought a large plastic box from the pound shop and cut the lid to the required size and shape.used this to glue on the underside of the A frame plastic.been ok for three years.

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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.

lbserve

04/4/2011 at 9:55pm
Location: Norfolk
Outfit: 97 Swift Archway Freelander TD4

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Hi Guys

Many thanks for all of your replies and comments all have been noted I will let you know how I get on in a couple of weeks

Regards
Len

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