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Plastic welding?
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 1:41 pm
by Chaps
Most of us on here are samiliar with normal metal welding - due to owning rusty old scirocco's... But have you guys done any plastic welding before? i.e. repairing a crack bumper or dash? I have borrowed a hot air gun/torch thing, and also have a soldering iron but wondering if you have any tips for getting a strong, neat finish..
I am going to have a go at repairing the bumper on my integra this evening.
Re: Plastic welding?
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 7:37 pm
by jupiter8
This is the kit we use at work for plastic fabrication on ABS/polypropylene. Takes a little practice as it's very easy to over heat the material and burn the surface. A filler rod of the same type of material should be used to bridge the joint which needs to be prepared with a chamfered edge. Once the joint is compleat it can be sanded back and polished out smooth (time consuming).
http://www.leister.com/en/plastic-weldi ... 4c8346a45d
Dont think this process would be good on a dash as thats just a fiber composite moulding covered with a thin film of a vinyl type material.
Re: Plastic welding?
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 9:20 pm
by seanr68
I've done quite a lot of plastic welding over the years, using a soldering iron to good effect. In fact I did some today on the "scirocco" badge from tailgate of my scala. Make sure all surfaces are clean and dry, then you need a piece of "scrap" plastic to fill in with. Make sure soldering iron is good and hot, then place the 2 pieces to be welded together and "tack them together using the iron. Working from the furthest point, place the iron on the joint and work the iron back towards you using a slight up and down movement. Make sure you "fill in" using the scrap.