where to get a new rear bumper shroud?

[IPM]

where to get a new rear bumper shroud?

Old one is aged, cracked.

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by IPM

where to get a new rear bumper shroud?

Old one is aged, cracked.

Inland RV has them but they ain't cheap. The replacements are fiberglass vs. the ABS the oringinal are made from.

Cheers, Dan

[Keyair]

Post up some pics....
If its not too bad, it can be fixed!

[IPM]

Originally Posted by Keyair

Post up some pics....
If its not too bad, it can be fixed!

It's not too bad.


I plastic welded it several years ago. Remember it was difficult to find compatible material that willingly blended/fused nicely. think I wound up using plastic tops left over from spray cans. Know of anything better?

[Keyair]

Yes indeedy!
MEK is the solvent you need..
Read here:
Post#90 onward.. and some good info post 118.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...e-62919-7.html

[Keyair]

Mike did a good job with MEK here:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...air-74468.html

[IPM]

WOW!!
MEK/ABS trick is what I'm going to do!
Thanx??

[Keyair]

Glad to help!
Here is my suggestion:
Work in a well vented area!
Wipe both sides down with MEK, make sure the cracked sections joints are clean, and wear Nitrile gloves!
Tape the cracks from the inside into position, and using a cotton bud, drip/wipe/wick the pure MEK into the cracks sparingly.
After a couple of hours, this should be dry dependant on ambient temp.
If you are feeling good about this, you can smear a layer of the MEK/ABS slurry into the crack with a Bondo spreader or single side razor blade.
This should be almost as strong as the original material, but you could back the rear side with a smear of the slurry, or as I did, smear the slurry on and then wet in a layer of Glassfiber cloth.
Remember, it does take a while to dry if its thick, and it will make the area of the joint "soft" if you go heavy on it!

[Mike Leary]

MEK update: the repair has only shown a couple of cracks where I did not apply thin enough coats, otherwise, the fibreglass cloth and MEK have worked great. I can't remember if I posted it, but LEGO is not pure ABS anymore, so don't bother with it.

[Keyair]

Glad to hear that Mike!

Update for California Residents....
MEK is no longer for sale....
The is a MEK replacement called "Industrial Maintanence Coating Thinner" at Home Depot... but it smells nothing like MEK..
I bought some and will do a test and report back... not hopefull tho..