Solvent Welding Plastics

Posted By: kentj340

Solvent Welding Plastics - 09/04/13 12:41 AM

See:

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2012/08/30/tech-tip-solvent-welding-plastics/?refer=news

The comments at the bottom have good information too.

Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms

Re: Solvent Welding Plastics - 09/04/13 01:57 AM

Looks oddly familiar

Posted By: kentj340

Re: Solvent Welding Plastics - 09/04/13 03:54 AM

Here's more better info that Scott might be referring to:

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...p;vc=1&nt=2

Posted By: dan9

Re: Solvent Welding Plastics - 09/16/13 03:33 PM

After reading the articles on solvent welding I am going to attempt the repair of a T/A spoiler from a 70 Challenger. I would appreciate any advice as to what plastic and what solvent to use. It has a crack along much of the width of it and missing some pieces along the top round edge. Would it be wise to make pieces and sort solvent weld them in or make a a form on the outside and pour the material from the inside. Also any tip as to prepping for paint. Thanks for all the help you guys give here.

Posted By: steve70

Re: Solvent Welding Plastics - 09/16/13 05:59 PM

Do you know what type of plastic the spoiler is made of?

Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms

Re: Solvent Welding Plastics - 09/16/13 06:14 PM

If I remember correctly the rear spoilers are ABS (Styrene based) If that's the case its easy to work with.

Posted By: astrobuf

Re: Solvent Welding Plastics - 09/16/13 06:18 PM

Quote:

After reading the articles on solvent welding I am going to attempt the repair of a T/A spoiler from a 70 Challenger. I would appreciate any advice as to what plastic and what solvent to use. It has a crack along much of the width of it and missing some pieces along the top round edge. Would it be wise to make pieces and sort solvent weld them in or make a a form on the outside and pour the material from the inside. Also any tip as to prepping for paint. Thanks for all the help you guys give here.

Are you speaking of the front or rear spoiler(s) One thing to note about solvent welding, it only works for thermoplastics.

I believe the rear spoiler on a T/A is actually made of ABS, a composite thermoplastic, that is, it's a mixture of Acrylate, Styrene and Butadiene (rubber particles) mixed together. The butadiene is improtant as finely dispersed, it gives the plastic it's toughness.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrylonitrile_butadiene_styrene

http://3mcollision.com/products/plastic-...pair-08237.html

3M and several other companies make great plastics restoration materials. I'd advise you to check with their Technical Service support staff and see what an expert advises.
1-877-MMM-CARS
http://3mcollision.com/

Astrobuf

Posted By: dan9

Re: Solvent Welding Plastics - 09/16/13 06:38 PM

It is the rear deck lid spoiler, a factory one. I do not know what material it it made of or what to repair it with but i am willing to try. Thanks for all the help.

Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms

Re: Solvent Welding Plastics - 09/16/13 06:40 PM

There are many plastics on our old cars and many of them are thermoplastics, bit also quite a few that are not (such as heater box housings, air grabber housings, Shaker bubbles, rear Go wing spoilers, et.) Are made from other multi component materials such as RIM and compression molded plastics. Other repair methods are required for these materials.

Posted By: steve70

Re: Solvent Welding Plastics - 09/16/13 06:54 PM

Quote:

It is the rear deck lid spoiler, a factory one. I do not know what material it it made of or what to repair it with but i am willing to try. Thanks for all the help.

If it's abs then it will be easy to work with. You can wipe the spoiler with Methylene Chloride or Methylethyl Ketone and if some of the plastic come off on the rag then it's an abs based plastic so the repair should be easy. You can use any abs cement(preferably black) but the best I've found is made by Marsh Laboratories in Pittsburgh PA 412-271-3060. It's cheap to buy a 1 pint can and I think they'll take a credit card. The cement will dry as hard as plastic but the thicker it is the longer it takes so you might have to wait a few days for it to fully cure. For small cracks you could aply it with a small plastic syringe and tape it closed. If you have access to the inside you could also pour some of the cement internally and let it set for a few days. I've machine a lot of plastics and once it sets it's as hard as the original because it's basically abs resin and Methylethyl Ketone.

Posted By: dan9

Re: Solvent Welding Plastics - 09/18/13 03:13 PM

My daughter works very close to Marsh Labs so I will have some this weekend. My thought for repairing/strengthening the top round edge was using maybe 3/4 abs pipe glued from the inside. I have some access to the inside and thought if I cleaned and primed with ABS primer I would have some solid backing for the repair. I will get some pics once I get started for any who may be interested. Thanks for all the suggestions.