Repairing ABS Plastics

I heard (sort of second-hand) from a guy in a car club I am a member of that there's a cheap and easy way to do DIY repairs to ABS plastic. I am not sure if it works as I haven't tried it. Has anyone here done this? It sounds pretty plausible, what do you think?

Step One
Take some scrap ABS and put it into the freezer. This makes it easier to grate up into shavings.

Step Two
Probably best to wait until your wife/girlfriend is not around for this bit. Grate the ABS into shavings with a cheese grater.

Step Three
Mix the shavings with a solvent (Acetone I think the guy said) into a thick, smooth paste.

Step Four
Apply the paste to the back of the crack/split (the inside of a side-panel for example), with the tip of a cocktail stick. Wait for the solvent to evaporate. Once dry the joint is hard and it makes a 'good as new' repair.

He also said you should only do this somewhere very well ventilated and away from cigarettes. Although if your wife catches you using her freezer and cheese grater you may be spending LOTS of time in the garage anyhow

Stokie

 

Or get ABS specific cement and do the same thing. Make sure that the part you are repairing has had some of the cement/acetone put on it to get it good and soft, too. that way everything will bond into itself. Also, keep an eye on it as it dries. It will have some shrinkage factor, and it is possible for drying cracks to develop. So, you'll have some touch up to do. Give it as long as you can for residual drying. I've not had anything come apart that I've redone yet.

Dave Fox

 

Then it should be possible to make a mould and cast this stuff back into solid ABS - that'd be neat for broken/missing lugs and stuff like that ...

 

Instead of going to all the trouble to grate ABS into shavings just use a piece of ABS sheet that bridges both sides of the crack and bond in place using ABS cement. You can get ABS sheet in scrap sizes at TAP Plastics or a similar store selling plastic goods in your area. The sheet should provide more strength than shavings and would be easier to position, etc. Thin sheeting can easily be bent around corners once it's covered with the cement.

I have successfully repaired fairings this way. Just had to remove a storage bin to gain access to the back side of the break.

Loren

 

You can make a FORM for casting Lugs and Grommet Points by using FLOWER SHOP GROWTH MEDIA.

Cut the Cube of Growth Media in half. Press the two sides over an Attachment Point.
Remove.
Fabricate new attachment Point.
Use a Small Bolt secured to the Part.
Place the two halves of the media form around the bolt.
Tape.
Drill a hole into the top of the form.
Mix Epoxy "Loose" using extra hardener.
Fill the form with the Epoxy before the stuff starts getting tight.

 

Flower shop growth media is known by the trade name "Oasis" or Oasis block. Should be able to buy a chunk at your local supermarket flower shop.

Loren

 

Rick, cool tip!

'Round these here parts, the trade name is " them crumbly green bricks". As in,"Hey, y'all got any of them crumbly green bricks fer stickin' flowers in?"

Dave (basement shelf full of "them crumbly green bricks"--now I got a use for them!!!!!

 

When I visited Robert, he showed me this stuff that he says he's been using to repair side cover posts. The deluxe kit (I think it's just the deluxe kit, anyway) comes with a putty-type substance that, when heated, can be formed into a mold and allowed to cool. Better yet, the mold material is reusable.

I haven't used this stuff myself either, but here's the website if you wanna check it out for yourself: www.plastex.net