Fairing repair with Plastic Weld and fiberglass - Revision history

Bokonon: /* Fixing holes */

2015-03-31T14:00:09Z

Fixing holes

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:00, 31 March 2015
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	Before:		Before:

	[[image: IMG_0965.jpg\|130px]]		[[image:IMG_0965.jpg\|130px]]
	[[image: IMG_0966.jpg\|130px]]		[[image:IMG_0966.jpg\|130px]]

	For big holes, such as repairing the usual turn-signal-punched-a-hole-in-the-fairing, You may want to do some additional reinforcement. Cut a template.		For big holes, such as repairing the usual turn-signal-punched-a-hole-in-the-fairing, You may want to do some additional reinforcement. Cut a template.

	[[image: IMG_1169.jpg\|150px]]		[[image:IMG_1169.jpg\|150px]]

	Aluminum is too heavy/bulky,		Aluminum is too heavy/bulky,

	[[image: IMG_1172.jpg\|150px]]		[[image:IMG_1172.jpg\|150px]]

	so use cardboard. That has the added advantage of soaking up the epoxy.		so use cardboard. That has the added advantage of soaking up the epoxy.

Bokonon at 13:59, 31 March 2015

2015-03-31T13:59:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:59, 31 March 2015
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	This technique uses a product named "Plastic Weld". It's marketed by a half-dozen different companies, but you should be able to walk into nearly any auto parts or hardware store and find something like [http://www.amazon.com/Permatex-84115-PermaPoxy-minute-Plastic/dp/B000ALBZK8 this product] from Permatex.		This technique uses a product named "Plastic Weld". It's marketed by a half-dozen different companies, but you should be able to walk into nearly any auto parts or hardware store and find something like [http://www.amazon.com/Permatex-84115-PermaPoxy-minute-Plastic/dp/B000ALBZK8 this product] from Permatex.

	[[image: IMG_1171.jpg\|100px]]		[[image:IMG_1171.jpg\|100px]]

	You can just smear this stuff all over something like a broken fairing corner (shown below) and stick it back together, but reinforcing the area would be better.		You can just smear this stuff all over something like a broken fairing corner (shown below) and stick it back together, but reinforcing the area would be better.

	[[image: IMG_1181.jpg\|130px]]		[[image:IMG_1181.jpg\|130px]]
	[[image: IMG_1180.jpg\|130px]]		[[image:IMG_1180.jpg\|130px]]

	Reinforcement is as simple as using some [http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/3MAutomotive/Aftermarket/Products/Product-Catalog/?PC_7_RJH9U5230GE3E02LECFTDQCEK3_nid=S7Q99R00F8gsFDKXQL309JglLT9WKZ59JMbl fiberglass mat]. This is a hole where the turn signal mount should have been. Rebuilding the area with Plastic Weld and fiberglass made it more durable with less flex than the other side:		Reinforcement is as simple as using some [http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/3MAutomotive/Aftermarket/Products/Product-Catalog/?PC_7_RJH9U5230GE3E02LECFTDQCEK3_nid=S7Q99R00F8gsFDKXQL309JglLT9WKZ59JMbl fiberglass mat]. This is a hole where the turn signal mount should have been. Rebuilding the area with Plastic Weld and fiberglass made it more durable with less flex than the other side:

Bokonon: /* Fixing cracks */

2010-06-11T21:21:21Z

Fixing cracks

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:21, 11 June 2010
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	====Fixing cracks====		====Fixing cracks====

	Clean the parts as well as possible with a degreaser. Then for cracks, use a dremel to put a ''very'' small notch (a V-shaped channel) on the back side. Into that put a filling of the Plastic Weld, then a layer of fiberglass over the crack. Make it an inch or two wider on either side for good coverage. Then work more Plastic Weld through the fiberglass until it is completely saturated. Working from the inside could save you from having to repaint the crack.		Clean the parts as well as possible with a degreaser. Then for cracks, use a dremel to put a ''very'' small notch (a V-shaped channel) on the back side. Into that put a filling of the Plastic Weld, then a layer of fiberglass over the crack. Make it an inch or two wider on either side for good coverage. Then work more Plastic Weld through the fiberglass from the inside until it is completely saturated. Working from the inside could save you from having to repaint the crack.

	The technical bit behind this is that the fiberglass just adds strength in a way that only a mesh grid can, and the Plastic Weld acts as a bonding agent that sticks to the fairing ''and'' the fiberglass.		The technical bit behind this is that the fiberglass just adds strength in a way that only a mesh grid can, and the Plastic Weld acts as a bonding agent that sticks to the fairing ''and'' the fiberglass.

Bokonon: /* Fixing holes */

2010-06-11T21:18:59Z

Fixing holes

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:18, 11 June 2010
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	Work the Plastic Weld into the fiberglass from the back side. Use a [http://www.wholesalemarine.com/p/F-E-381/Fiberglass+Repair+Plastic+Spreaders.html plastic spreader] (should be available at an auto parts store) to push the epoxy through the fiberglass so it's ''completely'' saturated. A small paintbrush may help as well.		Work the Plastic Weld into the fiberglass from the back side. Use a [http://www.wholesalemarine.com/p/F-E-381/Fiberglass+Repair+Plastic+Spreaders.html plastic spreader] (should be available at an auto parts store) to push the epoxy through the fiberglass so it's ''completely'' saturated. A small paintbrush may help as well.

	[[image:body filler spreader.jpg\|~~150px~~]]		[[image:body filler spreader.jpg\|110px]]
	[[image: IMG_1175.jpg\|150px]]		[[image: IMG_1175.jpg\|150px]]
	[[image: IMG_1176.jpg\|150px]]		[[image: IMG_1176.jpg\|150px]]

Bokonon: /* Fixing holes */

2010-06-11T21:17:56Z

Fixing holes

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:17, 11 June 2010
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	[[image: IMG_1174.jpg\|150px]]		[[image: IMG_1174.jpg\|150px]]

			Work the Plastic Weld into the fiberglass from the back side. Use a [http://www.wholesalemarine.com/p/F-E-381/Fiberglass+Repair+Plastic+Spreaders.html plastic spreader] (should be available at an auto parts store) to push the epoxy through the fiberglass so it's ''completely'' saturated. A small paintbrush may help as well.


	~~Q: And do you work the Plastic Weld through from both sides?~~

	Work the Plastic Weld into the fiberglass from the back side. Use a [http://www.wholesalemarine.com/p/F-E-381/Fiberglass+Repair+Plastic+Spreaders.html plastic spreader] (should be available at an auto parts store) to push the epoxy through the fiberglass so it's ''completely'' saturated.
	[[image:body filler spreader.jpg\|150px]]		[[image:body filler spreader.jpg\|150px]]



	[[image: IMG_1175.jpg\|150px]]		[[image: IMG_1175.jpg\|150px]]
	[[image: IMG_1176.jpg\|150px]]		[[image: IMG_1176.jpg\|150px]]

	Q: What do you use to apply the Plastic Weld? I had in mind using your hands (guess that would be a little messy, but I generally don't think about such things until I'm in the middle of them), but the Sport Rider article shows a small paintbrush, which I guess would be better. Or maybe a putty knife?...

	A: lol, jumping the gun...here's a link to what I use (they clean very nicely so I've been reusing this Exact same kit for over a decade) http://www.wholesalemarine.com/p/F-E-381/Fiberglass+Repair+Plastic+Spreaders.html

	~~----------------------------------------------------------~~

	Drill any holes that may be necessary.		Drill any holes that may be necessary.

Bokonon: /* Fixing cracks */

2010-06-11T21:13:41Z

Fixing cracks

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:13, 11 June 2010
Line 21:		Line 21:
	====Fixing cracks====		====Fixing cracks====

	Clean the parts as well as possible with a degreaser. Then for cracks, use a dremel to put a ''very'' small notch (a V-shaped channel) on the back side. Into that put a filling of the Plastic Weld, then a layer of fiberglass over the crack. Make it an inch or two wider on either side for good coverage. Then work more Plastic Weld through the fiberglass.		Clean the parts as well as possible with a degreaser. Then for cracks, use a dremel to put a ''very'' small notch (a V-shaped channel) on the back side. Into that put a filling of the Plastic Weld, then a layer of fiberglass over the crack. Make it an inch or two wider on either side for good coverage. Then work more Plastic Weld through the fiberglass until it is completely saturated. Working from the inside could save you from having to repaint the crack.

	The technical bit behind this is that the fiberglass just adds strength in a way that only a mesh grid can, and the Plastic Weld acts as a bonding agent that sticks to the fairing ''and'' the fiberglass.		The technical bit behind this is that the fiberglass just adds strength in a way that only a mesh grid can, and the Plastic Weld acts as a bonding agent that sticks to the fairing ''and'' the fiberglass.

Bokonon: /* Fixing holes */

2010-06-11T21:11:36Z

Fixing holes

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:11, 11 June 2010
Line 36:		Line 36:
	[[image: IMG_0966.jpg\|130px]]		[[image: IMG_0966.jpg\|130px]]

			For big holes, such as repairing the usual turn-signal-punched-a-hole-in-the-fairing, You may want to do some additional reinforcement. Cut a template.
	~~--------------------------------------------------------~~


	For big holes, such as repairing the usual turn-signal-punched-a-hole-in-the-fairing, ~~cut~~ a template.

	[[image: IMG_1169.jpg\|150px]]		[[image: IMG_1169.jpg\|150px]]

	~~Use something like aluminum for reinforcement.~~		Aluminum is too heavy/bulky,

	~~[[image: IMG_1170.jpg\|150px]]~~
	[[image: IMG_1172.jpg\|150px]]		[[image: IMG_1172.jpg\|150px]]
	~~[[image: IMG_1173.jpg\|150px]]~~

			so use cardboard. That has the added advantage of soaking up the epoxy.

	~~'''These are the questions:'''~~		[[image: IMG_1174.jpg\|150px]]

	~~First one~~:

	~~[[image: IMG_1174.jpg\|150px]]~~

	~~A: The aluminum was too heavy/bulky, so I switched to cardboard (which worked very well as it soaked up the epoxy as well)~~

	Q: And do you work the Plastic Weld through from both sides?		Q: And do you work the Plastic Weld through from both sides?

	A: ~~Not necessary, though using a~~ plastic spreader to push the epoxy through the fiberglass so it's ~~Completely~~ saturated ~~is essential~~.		Work the Plastic Weld into the fiberglass from the back side. Use a [http://www.wholesalemarine.com/p/F-E-381/Fiberglass+Repair+Plastic+Spreaders.html plastic spreader] (should be available at an auto parts store) to push the epoxy through the fiberglass so it's ''completely'' saturated.
			[[image:body filler spreader.jpg\|150px]]


	~~I always do it from the inside, but then again I don't like repainting.~~

	[[image: IMG_1175.jpg\|150px]]		[[image: IMG_1175.jpg\|150px]]
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	Q: What do you use to apply the Plastic Weld? I had in mind using your hands (guess that would be a little messy, but I generally don't think about such things until I'm in the middle of them), but the Sport Rider article shows a small paintbrush, which I guess would be better. Or maybe a putty knife?...		Q: What do you use to apply the Plastic Weld? I had in mind using your hands (guess that would be a little messy, but I generally don't think about such things until I'm in the middle of them), but the Sport Rider article shows a small paintbrush, which I guess would be better. Or maybe a putty knife?...

	A: lol, jumping the gun...here's a link to what I use (they clean very nicely so I've been reusing this Exact same kit for over a decade) http://www.wholesalemarine.com/p/F-E-381/Fiberglass+Repair+Plastic+Spreaders.html ~~Bought it at a local autoparts store.~~		A: lol, jumping the gun...here's a link to what I use (they clean very nicely so I've been reusing this Exact same kit for over a decade) http://www.wholesalemarine.com/p/F-E-381/Fiberglass+Repair+Plastic+Spreaders.html


	~~'''end questions'''~~


	----------------------------------------------------------		----------------------------------------------------------

Bokonon: /* Fixing holes */

2010-06-11T04:48:00Z

Fixing holes

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:48, 11 June 2010
Line 62:		Line 62:

	A: Not necessary, though using a plastic spreader to push the epoxy through the fiberglass so it's Completely saturated is essential.		A: Not necessary, though using a plastic spreader to push the epoxy through the fiberglass so it's Completely saturated is essential.

			I always do it from the inside, but then again I don't like repainting.

	[[image: IMG_1175.jpg\|150px]]		[[image: IMG_1175.jpg\|150px]]

Bokonon: /* Fixing holes */

2010-06-11T03:37:06Z

Fixing holes

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:37, 10 June 2010
Line 55:		Line 55:
	First one:		First one:

	[[image: IMG_1174.jpg]]		[[image: IMG_1174.jpg\|150px]]

	A: The aluminum was too heavy/bulky, so I switched to cardboard (which worked very well as it soaked up the epoxy as well)		A: The aluminum was too heavy/bulky, so I switched to cardboard (which worked very well as it soaked up the epoxy as well)

Bokonon: /* Fixing holes */

2010-06-11T03:35:11Z

Fixing holes

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:35, 10 June 2010
Line 55:		Line 55:
	First one:		First one:

	[[image: IMG_1174-2.jpg]]		[[image: IMG_1174.jpg]]

	A: The aluminum was too heavy/bulky, so I switched to cardboard (which worked very well as it soaked up the epoxy as well)		A: The aluminum was too heavy/bulky, so I switched to cardboard (which worked very well as it soaked up the epoxy as well)