Repairing a paddle boat

[neblinc]

What would be the best way to fix this crack on my buddy's paddle boat. It is plastic.
I thought about screwing down some 22 gauge steel and the use fiberglass over the top of it.
Any ideas.

Randy

 

[Fastfish]

drill 1/8' holes at ends of crack. then cover with Marine Tex

 

[Professur]

Cut a sliver off to identify the plastic. Odds are good you can weld it up with a soldering iron and some rod stock. http://www.boedeker.com/burntest.htm

 

[gungatim]

good luck. my bil worked in a shop that made those. vacuum formed plastic hulls. they all crack, and we've never successfully repaired one for very long...maybe fill it with expanding foam.

 

[revkev6]

as suggested above, use a test piece. I've repaired plastic items with PVC glue and the clear plastic that you get at the home depot as a backer...

 

[trainer]

Gorilla tape.

 

[neblinc]

Thanks for the ideas everyone. I might give Marine Tex a try.

Randy

 

[refried]

cut a piece from a raw edge somewhere on the boat, use this to weld the crack. using the same material your trying to weld works much better than two different plastics

 

[James-W]

I don't know if this would work or not, but I will suggest it anyway. Put tape on one side of the crack so the "filler" won't just fall out when applied. Fill the crack with fast drying two part epoxy and let it harden for several hours. It just may seal it up the crack pretty good, but I have no idea how long it would last.

 

[Bill Anderson]

What would be the best way to fix this crack on my buddy's paddle boat. It is plastic.
I thought about screwing down some 22 gauge steel and the use fiberglass over the top of it.
Any ideas.

Randy

This

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002INUIVS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NETGBA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NEV7I0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

And this
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HSCMGBY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Cut a section of the plastic mesh, large enough to cover the cracked area a minimum of 3 inches in all directIons beyond the crack.Sand the area with 180, to the size of the mesh patch. Then use the ponge adhesion promoter pads to clean the area where the patch will be applied, and approximately an inch beyond the patch.
Let the adhesion promoter dry for a 3-4 minutes, during this time get the super fast plastic repair ready, after the 3-4 minute wait time mix the adhesive and soread over the cracked area. You will have to work fast because this stuff sets up fast (as the name implies). Spread it completely over the crack. Allow it to set up for an hour or two, then using a small grinder and an 80 grit disc, lightly grind flat the area where the adhesive was applied.
Again clean with an adhesion promoter pad, let dry, and then lay the mesh patch over the area centered on the cracked area.
Again mix the adhesive and spread over the mesh patch area completely. I cannot stress how fast you have to work, bc the adhesive dries fast.

After that has dried, a couple of hours, then sand again with 180, but be careful not to sand through the mesh, bc that's where part of the repair strength comes from.

Wipe the area again with the adhesion promoter, cut a patch from the smooth plastic patch, extending approximately 1 inch beyond the mesh patch.

Mix adhesive, spread over the area where the smooth patch will go, and then apply the smooth plastic patch, spreading it out so there are no bubbles underneath.

Allow to dry, then scuff with some 220 or 240, and paint to match.

Repeat to the backside of the cracked area.

The key is adhesion promoter. Do not skip this step.

This method gives a repair that is as strlng as, or stronger, than the original plastic.

Mods please posts as a sticky if you feel this may be useful to others.

 

[Bill Anderson]

Here is an application gun and tubes you can use to apply the adhesive, if you choose.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002QWYG1O/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Mixing tubes
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00596QVHG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[neblinc]

I don't think I can get to the back side unless I drill out all the rivets holding the 2 halves together. Will get it brought home to my shop and see what is involved.

Randy

 

[Bill Anderson]

If you can't get to the back side, it will still be a solid repair, just being repaired from the front. Repairing from the backside, as well as the front, is just extra insurance. Just slightly 'V' out the cracked area, and make sure to wipe thoroughly with the adhesion promoter pads.

 

[My Old Tools]

This stuff works pretty good if its the right material.
http://www.spadepot.com/shop/Plast-Aid-Acrylic-and-PVC-Repair-Kit-P756C149.aspx