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03-16-2007, 01:16 PM
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#1
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DixieDove
1978 Argosy 27
1978 28' Argosy 28
Camden
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 150
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Water tank repair
Can anyone tell me a good "glue" to repair a plactic water tank. There is a crack close to the filler connection that I want to repair.
__________________
tn2... Bad thing about doing nothing is you never know when you're done.
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03-16-2007, 01:43 PM
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#2
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3 Rivet Member
1959 18' "Footer"
1964 26' Overlander
birmingham
, Alabama
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 128
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can you tell what type of plastic it is? it could be ABS, polyethaline(sp?), or even fibreglass...
if it's ABS, it can be 'melted' or solvent welded using MEK. locate some scrap ABS and place some chips of the scrap along with some MEK in a glass jar for several hours or days and it will form a 'glue' that you can use like pvc cement.
if you can't tell what it is... test an area with different type solvents (MEK, acetone, lacquer thinner, etc) to see what disolves it.
if nothing dose, you can always 'weld' it with and old soldering pen or something similar by melting the cracked area back together.
__________________
Doug
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03-16-2007, 03:36 PM
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#3
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Desert Fox
1985 31' Sovereign
Tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 250
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tn2
If you are going to go to all the trouble of taking it out and welding not knowing if it will hold ,replace it with a new tank.Save yourself a lot of work. Regards from Russell in sunny Tucson Az.
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03-16-2007, 04:27 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tn2
Can anyone tell me a good "glue" to repair a plactic water tank. There is a crack close to the filler connection that I want to repair.
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Repairing the old water tanks is usually a waste of time. The plastic has become brittle, and that cannot be repaired.
Melting the crack back together, just causes more brittle spots.
Trying to fix it with solvent, is also a waste of time.
Andy
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03-16-2007, 04:44 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1967 26' Overlander
Huntsville
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,018
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Level of effort
Quote:
Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In
...Trying to fix it with solvent, is also a waste of time.
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Unless you are willing to treat the ENTIRE tank with solvent & filler instead of just the cracked area.
OTOH, fresh-water tanks are usually made of the type of plastic that can only be repaired by welding. If that is your case, I would recommend having a new tank built if a "drop-in" replacement can not be found.
Tom
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03-16-2007, 04:52 PM
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#6
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Remember, Safety Third
1973 27' Overlander
Catfish Corners
, Georgia
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,720
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I had the local RV dealer weld mine and it seems fine. I guess time will tell....
Jim
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03-16-2007, 05:11 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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tn2,
Just how old is your A/S? I have done plastic welding on a number of cracked tanks and 'most' have held up very well. You will know right away if the weld didn't take.
If you are unfamiliar with plastic welding, find a body shop or RV repair shop and have it professionally done. If the integrity of you tank is otherwise in tack and isn't brittle from age, welding will probably do the trick. The key to proper welding is to use the exact same material as the tank, which is most likely polyethelyne.
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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03-16-2007, 05:54 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1967 26' Overlander
Huntsville
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,018
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One more repair place
Quote:
Originally Posted by lewster
... If you are unfamiliar with plastic welding, find a body shop or RV repair shop and have it professionally done. ...
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Automotive radiator repair shops are encountering a lot of radiators with pastic endcaps. They also have the right tools.
Tom
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03-16-2007, 06:44 PM
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#9
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DixieDove
1978 Argosy 27
1978 28' Argosy 28
Camden
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 150
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Hey ....Thanks for all the good imformation. Since my crack is up toward the top of the tank....only time it leaks is when full....of course I want no leak at all....but I feel it's worth a try to fix it.
Charles
__________________
tn2... Bad thing about doing nothing is you never know when you're done.
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