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wrote:

I've seen ABS cement sold in the plumbing aisle at the local hardware store. Is this a suitable substitute to acetone+ABS mix? 
 

Yes, it's the perfect solvent/glue for ABS and it comes premixed.
Bill

KZQ post=859111

ThatGPzGuy post=859095I've seen ABS cement sold in the plumbing aisle at the local hardware store. Is this a suitable substitute to acetone+ABS mix? 
 

Yes, it's the perfect solvent/glue for ABS and it comes premixed.
Bill
 

I was just looking at this the other day.  Specifically, Oatey ABS cement.  The SDS says it's a mix of MEK, acetone, and ABS.  Seems like a good bet as long as you're confident that the piece you're trying to repair is ABS.

www.homedepot.com/p/OATEY-4-oz-Medium-Bl...ent-309993/100136815

One risk is that MEK is a very aggressive solvent, so I imagine one would want to be careful to apply it in small amounts.

 

I would say it’s fine, but the advantage of making your own is that you can match the color of the plastic and it will be like there was never a crack in the first place. Of course if you’re painting over it, that’s a moot point. 

I tried getting some ABS cement here in australia but couldn’t source it. Only places you could get it from were trade plumber supllies or overseas and 4 weeks of waiting.

I ended up channeling out the cracks on the inside and filling with ABS epoxy then fibreglass matting soaked with liquid cyanoacrylate after watching a video of an old school guy that repairs old racebike fairings.

seems to be pretty solid and its going to be repainted so i wasn’t too worried about matching the plastic colour.

I've fixed cracks before by first flexing them open, then pressing 3M epoxy into the crack before relaxing and allowing the crack to close back up.  Then apply a strip of fiberglass along the crack on the non showing surface, followed by more epoxy.  Worked well.

Colorite sells a ABS plastic repair kit, you can even build up and fill in missing pieces.  I used it a couple times, very strong bond.

wrote:

Colorite sells a ABS plastic repair kit, you can even build up and fill in missing pieces.  I used it a couple times, very strong bond.

Thanks, can you post a link. I searched and only found paint kits. I have a side cover that needs a tab repaired before it completely breaks off. 

Maybe this one?
www.colorrite.com/product/colorrite-plastic-repair-kit-1060.cfm

wrote:

Maybe this one?
www.colorrite.com/product/colorrite-plastic-repair-kit-1060.cfm
 

Yup that's it.. Works well, very strong, make sure to scuff up the surface some first. I used modelers clay to make a mold to fill in the missing area.

JES-

I kinda wanna try some of these ideas to reinforce good plastics making them stronger, not so much for repair. More like so I don’t have to worry about snapping my side covers in half every time I pull them off. 

I have done plastic welding with an old soldering iron and zip ties to repair cracks in the past and it worked ok.  But have since found this product and used it to repair all kinds of plastic items.  Laptop, tools etc as well as side covers on the bike.

www.plastex.net/