Crack in clear top
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,003
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From: Phoenix for 6 months Alberta/Arizona
Crack in clear top
Have about a 2 inch crack in my clear top. Crack is right by the rear latch. Any suggestions on a glue to stop the crack from spreading?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,837
Likes: 4
Drill a small (1/16 inch or so) hole at the end(s) of the crack using a very sharp drill bit, preferable cut at a steeper than normal angle. Special plastic-drilling bits are available, but hard to find in such small sizes. The holes provide stress-relief points to stop the crack, without these it will continue to grow.
Then place a drop of methylene chloride at each end of the crack. This is a solvent that will wick up into the crack and weld the plastic back together. Be careful about using too much, because it will also dull the finish. But if you do get too much, don't wipe it off, because that'll just make things worse.
Finally, you can then fill the holes by using some polycarbonate powder or chips disolved in methylene chloride. Polish up the surface and re-coat with a UV-resistant layer and Bob's your uncle.
Theoretically, you can repair the top to the point where you'd never know it had cracked using this technique. In practice, it isn't likely to work that well unless you've had a lot of practice doing it!
Points to keep in mind: methylene chloride evaporates almost instantly, you don't have a lot of working time. Humid conditions can lead to the whole mess getting a white crust that must be polished out. Practicing on a few pieces of scrap polycarbonate before tacking the top is a good idea. And read and heed all the warnings!
P.S. Or find a plastics shop to do it for you.
Then place a drop of methylene chloride at each end of the crack. This is a solvent that will wick up into the crack and weld the plastic back together. Be careful about using too much, because it will also dull the finish. But if you do get too much, don't wipe it off, because that'll just make things worse.
Finally, you can then fill the holes by using some polycarbonate powder or chips disolved in methylene chloride. Polish up the surface and re-coat with a UV-resistant layer and Bob's your uncle.
Theoretically, you can repair the top to the point where you'd never know it had cracked using this technique. In practice, it isn't likely to work that well unless you've had a lot of practice doing it!
Points to keep in mind: methylene chloride evaporates almost instantly, you don't have a lot of working time. Humid conditions can lead to the whole mess getting a white crust that must be polished out. Practicing on a few pieces of scrap polycarbonate before tacking the top is a good idea. And read and heed all the warnings!
P.S. Or find a plastics shop to do it for you.
Last edited by Buffy; Oct 15, 2007 at 11:39 AM.
do not do any fixer uppers (void warranty) .
