repair plastics?

[yamahaman89]

How can you repair cracked plastics on your trike?

[jeffatc250r]

The best method that i have seen is a plastic welder, or if you dont want to spend the money, frankenstitch.

[Gearheadtom]

I usualy stitch mine with galvanized wire, but I have put a piece of metal on the backside of the fender around the crack and put rivets through the plastic into the metal.

[ScottZJ]

I wouldnt waste my money on those plastic welders as a sodering iron works just as good if not better.

Here are some steps to help fix plastics without making it look like frankensteins head !

1. Clean the plastic area and cracks, both inside and out.
2. Take the hot sodering iron and run along the crack edge (getting it hot enough to start melting).
3. Press the hot melting crack plastic together (this should hold together ok, if not place some duct tape on the outside to hold it or have a buddy help).
4. On the inside of the fender, take the sodering iron on the crack and move perpendicular back and forth from the crack (not super wide but to cover the crack on each side). This should create a "troth" type area and should be molding the crack together nicely. (Note: do this slowly as to make a smooth area and keep from burning thru the plastics).
5. Once the crack is molded together and hold, fill in the troth with more plastic. I usually have some cracked or pieces of honda plastic laying around to fill in. You can fill or over fill this area as much as you see fit as it is the inside of the fender and wont be seen that much.

[xrider]

drill small holes on each side of the crack and stitch it back together with zip ties. holds together great. Alot depends on whether or not your concerned with looks.

[300rman]

if your stitching, drill a small hole at the head of the crack to keep it from progressing farther

[Dirtcrasher]

If your gonna stitch it, get a nice small drill bit and use some thick fishing line. It looks sooooooooo much better than the plastic ties which are nearly 1/4 inch wide and if you cross stitch it, it is super strong.....

Plastic welding of any sort will work and you can blend it in with allot of sanding and finishing, but even worse than steel or aluminum, it WILL crack again.

I was always pretty happy with the fishing line deal as it doesn't stand out terribly and it's tough. Just my opinion.........

[code200k]

If your gonna stitch it, get a nice small drill bit and use some thick fishing line. It looks sooooooooo much better than the plastic ties which are nearly 1/4 inch wide and if you cross stitch it, it is super strong.....

.........

that is a darn good idea i never thought of that thanks D.C.

[83ATC185S]

shoegoo works too

[Name Brand]

I use small zip ties (1/8 wide) and stitch it back together. I put the ends on the underside and cut off all the tails flush. I have some two-inch wide, glossy red tape that I cover the repair with to hide it a little better. So far I only have two cracks in my SX plastic and the rear rack hides them pretty well.

I have repaired bigger cracks by adding a strip of leftover fender plastic under the crack and zip tying though both layers. People wonder why I was keeping old, busted up chunks of fenders!

Stainless steel safety wire works great too!