welding or gluing plastic question

bernieinva · Jul 15, 2014

Has anyone used any certain type of glue or any other procedure that would hold on plastic? Every thing I have ever tired has been worthless.

PJH · Jul 15, 2014

Bernie, my neighbor poked a nice hole in the plastic fuel tank on his CIH tractor. We took it off, and he had a local body shop "weld" it. It seemed to work ok, and they guaranteed the end result. Don't know what it cost him, but he was delighted that he got by without springing for a new tank.

Many years ago, I "welded" a potable water tank in a camper that we had. Previous owner had health problems and didn't get the tank completely drained for cold weather. I used a hot melt glue gun, and glue sticks supplied by the local camper supply store. I don't know if they were special glue sticks - the cost and appearance compared to common glue gun sticks. It worked like they said it would. Depends on the type of plastic, I'm sure.

Mike M · Jul 15, 2014

Same here. No glue I found yet works.

On my last Deere JD5105 frt. grille had some damage. I was able to use a piece of perforated metal and some of the slotted tabs from hose clamps cut off to bind it together.

Cut piece of metal to fit over crack and from inside use soldering iron to heat it up while pressing down on it. Plastic will melt up thru perforations and hold it pretty well. I also found some plastic from an old brush handle that would melt in and worked that into some of the areas too.

Harbor freight sells a plastic welder might be worth a try ?

ditchwitch · Jul 15, 2014

i guess it depends on what your project is. I have actually used a soldering iron to melt 2 pieces of plastic back together and it worked. I think glue works in the same way. It heats up and melts the plastic so it can be fused together. Kinda the same way they do plastic gas lines. its called plastic fuseing the pipe together.

John T · Jul 15, 2014

Ive only had "limited" satisfaction with epoxy/glue, it depends to some extent on where the leak is, how much pressure and how much flexing occurs later. On some RV water tanks Ive used a tank epoxy formulated for the fresh water tanks and it worked quite well. WHAT HELPS is if its a crack is to gently grind/cut/carve (maybe Dremel Tool) away a small v shaped portion down into the walls and rough/scratch up all the surfaces with sandpaper etc which helps the epoxy bond and of course, clean everything up. For just general use Ive had some luck with JB Weld. Once its all dried and cured then I go back over with an outer finish seal coat.

Ive never used the welding method but its likely far superior to what I scab together.

John T

D- · Jul 15, 2014

Welding is best. What I use is an iron with a "shoe" and a small tube for the plastic rod to slide through. The shoe smooths the plastic. I don't pre-grind the crack. I melt it with the edge of the shoe. You can skip around to tack the crack to keep it flush.
There is also a welder that funnels hot air to the area to be welded.
Gluing doesn't hold plastic well and plastic can move while waiting for glue to set.

Frank 41 · Jul 15, 2014

I have heard that silly puddy will fix a diesel fuel tank leak only. I used GOOP glue to fix a weed eater fuel cap that particaly split and has been working with no leaks. Did not get it very clean or completely covered except the outside.

welding or gluing plastic question

bernieinva

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PJH

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Mike M

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ditchwitch

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John T

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D-

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Frank 41

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