nzpaul

Does anyone know what type of plastic the radiator fan shroud is made of? I've been to a plastic welder and he can't find a filler that will stick.
Has anyone had any success with welding these?

928 at last

I've used "JB Weld" epoxy with good results...

77tony

Scuff it up, clean with alcohol and apply this:

nzpaul

JB Weld isn't readily available here in New Zealand. From what I've found on the 'net, it's just an epoxy resin adhesive. I've tried epoxy before, but with no success.
I thought I'd give plastic welding a go instead.

Dave928S

By the looks of it I think it might be glass reinforced ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), which is a material that is used a lot in water pumps, and lots of other irrigation and automotive applications where chemical, temperature, wear and impact resistance are required. You'll have more success solvent welding it (if that's what it is) using MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) based glue (MEK with ABS in it to thicken it).

nzpaul

Thanks. I might try that. I've got two broken ones, so experimenting isn't a problem.

Dave928S

The 'glass' reinforced part of the name is superfine 'fibreglass' strands, which give it more impact resistance, but also mean that a solvent weld won't be as good as the original ... but it'll be close.

What leads me to think it's glass reinforced ABS, is the surface appearance, which shows the characteristic stranding appearance of the 'cotton wool thin' fibres in the material ... same as pump casings (but they have a bit more fibre content for strength).

You might be able to get grey ABS glue from a swimming pool/spa shop, or you can make your own black matching glue, by getting some straight MEK and dissolving ABS sanded or filed off particles in it, until you build up the thickness to a thick glue consistency. I've used that method to do a taillight leak repair (they're plain coloured ABS).

928Myles

Paul,
I have bought JBweld off trademe in NZ. There appear to be lots of current product listings available.
Even if you don't find it a successful repair it is handy for lots of other things as well - worth getting.

Myles

Eplebnista

Lots of helpful info here on identifying plastics and repair methods:

http://www.urethanesupply.com/identify.php

UncleMaz

I have been curious about plastic staplers like this for such repairs:
http://www.eastwood.com/ew-hot-stapl...ir-system.html
Seems like it could pay for itself after one broken spoiler or shroud.

OTR18WHEELER

rivets, duct tape, and zip ties. Thats all you need.

928Myles

Paul,
if the problem is with the two bolt holes that hold the shroud on sited just above the radiator I have had sucess with the following repair (2 years & counting).

I made up a piece of 0.5mm galv steel that neatly filled the base of the small rectangular flat above the holes and the face the bolts go through. I also bent it around and up the back of the mount for additional strength. I drilled lots of several small holes in this and a large slot to mimic the original. I then used JBweld to 'glue' this piece to the plastic. Painted black,
this repair can be hard to spot if done neatly (I am not known for neat).

Myles

AirtekHVAC

I epoxied mine...used stuff called "goop". Worked fine

GregBBRD

Wurth makes a product called "Fixall".

Bad *** two part plastic epoxy. Will glue front spoilers back together and repair bumpers.

nzpaul

Been away for a while. Some really good information here.
Dave - Sounds promising. I'll try and get some MEK adhesive, thanks.

MJ928 - looks like it could be useful, but the cost over here would be considerably more. I wonder if drilling holes and twisting wire would have the same effect.

Myles - Is JB Weld any better than Araldite? Yes, the problem started with the two holes at the top. It's been hacked around a bit in various attempts to fix them. Also, one of the fingers that hooks over the radiator has been broken off.
I got another on Trademe, but I asked the seller courier it to me, my cost and risk, obviously. Suffice to say, if you want something doing properly, do it yourself. It arrived with one of the shoulders broken off. Inadequate packing! I now need to fix the replacement.