Acrylic top has crack
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 786
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From: Manassas VA/Flagler Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '13,'19
Acrylic top has crack
I have a crack in the Acrylic top of my 85. I wasn't too worried about it until I jacked the car up yesterday and saw how much flex these cars have. The crack opened up like the Red Sea when I jacked up the front right.
Upon doing a search I've seen two suggested fixes although the threads were very old (2001). One was some kind adhesive from 3M the other was a LORD adhesive. Does anybody know if they've come out with anything better in the last 5 years? What are current members using? Can you use heat to fuse the crack together, maybe from the inside where it wouldnt show?
I put a couple bids for tops on ebay but they don't end for a while and it's supposed to rain tomorrow.
Upon doing a search I've seen two suggested fixes although the threads were very old (2001). One was some kind adhesive from 3M the other was a LORD adhesive. Does anybody know if they've come out with anything better in the last 5 years? What are current members using? Can you use heat to fuse the crack together, maybe from the inside where it wouldnt show?
I put a couple bids for tops on ebay but they don't end for a while and it's supposed to rain tomorrow.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
If you are going to relace it anyway repair with clear epoxy. Jack it up to expose the crack and use a toothpick to apply. Let it down to cure. Use vinager to clean off excess epoxy. Don't use the 5 minute type it won't give you time to work.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 786
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From: Manassas VA/Flagler Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '13,'19
Provided I can get it to open again, you don't think it would push the glue out when it closes back up? Epoxy works on acrylic? Ideally I'd like something I could apply to the inside (with top off) and would kind of melt the acrylic together. But its a good idea none the less. If I don't get any better ideas today, I'll try it.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 557
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From: chiefland fl
does acetone bond acrylic together again? i know when i fix cracks in guitars, i spread the crack open and apply glue with a toothpick then clamp it back and wipe off the excess. or sand it down with really high grit and polish with compound.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 786
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From: Manassas VA/Flagler Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '13,'19
Temporary top repair
Upon closer examination, I see additional cracks starting from when I jacked up the front right (twisting the whole car) and the crack "opened like the Red Sea". Sooo, I don't want to try that again. As long as epoxy can be used to bond acrylic, I was thinking of using a Dremal to grind a small furrow along the crack and filling IT with epoxy. Then clean up with acetone or, somebody said vinager? What do you think?
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,504
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From: Mexico Beach FL
I know the C4 will flex quite a bit with the top off.
But, I didn't think the flex was that much with the top on, because of the metal frame for the top.
I would think the metal top frame would prevent the flexing that would allow the crack to open up as much as you are saying.
Are you sure yout top metal frame isn't weak or the mountings aren't loose?
Tom Piper
But, I didn't think the flex was that much with the top on, because of the metal frame for the top.
I would think the metal top frame would prevent the flexing that would allow the crack to open up as much as you are saying.
Are you sure yout top metal frame isn't weak or the mountings aren't loose?
Tom Piper
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Upon closer examination, I see additional cracks starting from when I jacked up the front right (twisting the whole car) and the crack "opened like the Red Sea". Sooo, I don't want to try that again. As long as epoxy can be used to bond acrylic, I was thinking of using a Dremal to grind a small furrow along the crack and filling IT with epoxy. Then clean up with acetone or, somebody said vinager? What do you think?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,029
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Using epoxy on acrylic? Okey, but isn't acrylic glue more logical choice? Search Google with "acrylic glue".
My acrylic top cracked from front corner 3 years ago. It had a 1.5" crack. I did nothing to it and it didn't change until last summer it cracked big time. Suddenly one morning the crack was 10" long. Went out and bought a plastic top to replace it.
My acrylic top cracked from front corner 3 years ago. It had a 1.5" crack. I did nothing to it and it didn't change until last summer it cracked big time. Suddenly one morning the crack was 10" long. Went out and bought a plastic top to replace it.
Last edited by ToniH; Mar 23, 2007 at 01:08 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
No, acrylic glue is for bonding acrylic to another substance ie pvc, metal, etc. It never really hardens and remains flexible so the acrylic won't pull away. It's more like caulk.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
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Originally Posted by BADDUCK
No, acrylic glue is for bonding acrylic to another substance ie pvc, metal, etc. It never really hardens and remains flexible so the acrylic won't pull away. It's more like caulk.
http://ozreef.org/diy_plans/techniqu...g_acrylic.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: 1992 LT1 6 speed Cayman Islands
You can purchase the proper acrylic bonding agent from any sign making place that makes plastic signs (I dont remenber the brand as it was some time ago). This stuff fuses the acrylic and will hold it as one piece. The epoxies will just flake off once it has cured.
Having done this before I can assure you you will not like how it looks after, however you can sand it smooth and paint it the color of the car. as I did, and it looks just like the fiberglass one and keeps the heat out, for a lot less money.
One good side effect for me is that the glass top gives about 2 more inches of headroom than the fiberglass one, which I need.
Having done this before I can assure you you will not like how it looks after, however you can sand it smooth and paint it the color of the car. as I did, and it looks just like the fiberglass one and keeps the heat out, for a lot less money.
One good side effect for me is that the glass top gives about 2 more inches of headroom than the fiberglass one, which I need.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
You guys are full of it. I have repaired acrylic with epoxies for years and it works great. I wouldn't have recommended it if I didn't know it will work.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 786
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From: Manassas VA/Flagler Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '13,'19
Eventually it will be painted if I don't find a deal on a new one.
Cruising
Joined: May 2006
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maybe this?
i have a 94. the top cracked. I drilled a 3/32nd hole at the end of the crack to stop it from cracking. seal the hole with monster glue or whatever. depending on the "shape" of the crack - mine was straight so i got clear vinyl from a sign shop, cut a 1" wide strip, and covered the crack from from of roof to back - my crack was about 10" long. i put a parallel strip so from 3 feet away, they look line racing strips. just a cheap option for you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,261
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From: sonoma ca
i have a 94. the top cracked. I drilled a 3/32nd hole at the end of the crack to stop it from cracking. seal the hole with monster glue or whatever. depending on the "shape" of the crack - mine was straight so i got clear vinyl from a sign shop, cut a 1" wide strip, and covered the crack from from of roof to back - my crack was about 10" long. i put a parallel strip so from 3 feet away, they look line racing strips. just a cheap option for you.