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Instrment cluster repair, Glue? Epoxy? Magic Spell?

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by XJ700VET, Aug 30, 2008.

  1. XJ700VET

    XJ700VET Member

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    I just removed my instrment cluster while cleaning and lubing my steering head, and found that the circuit "board" holding my indicator lights and a few retaining screw hole pillars have either been broken, or cracked. I have all of the peices that have fractured. I'm sure that I will need to epoxy them back together. My question is, is there one epoxy that will work better than others that stand up to the vibrations and weather? Also, cleaning the surfaces where the breaks are located will be a real pain, and I think that I will only be making a situation worse if I tear down the instrment cluster too much further. Plastics being what they are after 23 years I'm going to try to repair in place using tooth picks to apply the gule/epoxy or what ever is the best sugestion.
    Thanks for giving me a hand
    Trying to fix this on the cheap
     
  2. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    gorilla glue has made a believer out of me, it foams up as it cures and makes a gusset of sorts
    for small pieces a touch of "super glue" holds things while the gorilla glue sets
    clean with rubbing alcohol and a q-tip
    most "super glue" failures are from too much glue that takes forever to set

    a little gorilla glue on a toothpick fixes stripped holes in plastic
     
  3. XJXLEE

    XJXLEE Member

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    I used 'superglue for hard plastics' on mine. Its the version that comes with a felt pen type applicator for the primer.

    I am not a great believer in superglue, but this variety almost welds together the white plastic. One year later, it is still holding despite vibration and road shocks.
     
  4. Robert

    Robert Active Member

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    JBWeld to the rescue! I spend quite a bit of time in preparing the surface for epoxy. It is best to lightly sand the area around the break to give the surface some "tooth" for the epoxy to grab on to. Then I bead the JBWeld into place with a toothpick or an appropriate dental spatula. I've not used Gorilla glue yet but it does have a reputation with my friends. Can't beat it for wood glue. I've got a small bottle but haven't felt the compulsion to try it on plastic.
     
  5. chacal

    chacal Moderator Moderator Supporting Vendor Premium Member

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    On a related topic, has anyone ever had success in removing the tach NEEDLE from the movement (so that you can remove the tach faceplate)? I've tried it with two units now, and the needle shaft that drops down into the mechanism comes right on out with the needle/disc unit, making a real mess of things.

    Speedo needles seem to just pop right off of their driven shaft, whereas the tach needle seems to be almost welded to its shaft. Ideas or suggestions or recommendations??
     
  6. Robert

    Robert Active Member

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    Yes I have (I say this with no small amount of pride). It is a pain but not impossible. I've used a pair of hemostats (surgical pliers) and clamped the shaft underneath the tach face. Then I use a very fine pair of curved tweezers to pry the stubborn needle off of the face of the tach (blue tape slid under the needle to prevent scratches). You can try to re-insert the shafts but you have to back up the carrier so as not to shear the coil spring. Lord knows I've monkeyed with enough of them.
     
  7. MacMcMacmac

    MacMcMacmac Member

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    Plastex is far and away the best repair for plastic there is. I have reattached bodywork tabs with it and it is stronger than the original plastic. I recently snapped off the mirror on my 99 Sable and reattached it with Plastex. There is simply NOTHING that compares to it. It is not a glue, it is actual plastic that comes in a two part kit, a very fine power, and a liquid plastic component. Simply lay a bead of the plastic powder, then wet it with the liquid, and 20 minutes later, it IS plastic, not glue. It's not cheap, but it's worth it's weight in gold.
     
  8. XJ700VET

    XJ700VET Member

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    Thanks for everyones responses, and input. I've yet to decide exactly what to doat this time. The plastic that needs to be repaired has the consistency of brittle chalk, and I'm currently working on other bike side projects. I've gotten so many parts from Chacal, that will keep me busy for a bit longer, giving me time to weigh the options for the best way to proceed on the plastic repair, but it will have to be taken care of in the near future.
     
  9. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    My favorite broken plastic mender is "5-Minute Epoxy". The kind that comes in side-by-side syringes.

    I have used it for making Instrument Gauge Pointers by coating toothpicks with it to flooding an area of road rash to act as body filler.
     
  10. Stamplicker

    Stamplicker Member

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    I vote magic spell.. if that doens't work then the above methods should =)
     

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