Grill repair

[mrbill426]

My grill needs some attention in the way of fixing a couple cracks, a hole, and putting it back together where one of the headlight surrounds broke off from the main body (ouch!)    My question is what kind of "plastic" are they made of?  There are several repair epoxies available and I want to use the correct one.

Thanks
 

[1 Wild R/T]

Scott Smith posted this years ago... I saved it... He use to work in a plastics injection molding facility & that along with just being a sharp guy.... This is your best option..

Repairing a cracked grill

Start with 100% pure Acetone, buy a gallon. 
Pour an ounce or so into a glass jar (small open mouth jar). Take a scrap grill and using something sharp, scrape off peelings (like pencil shavings size) into the jar of acetone. Put allot of shavings in, the acetone will gradually melt the plastic into a goo. Add enough plastic until the goo reaches toothpaste consistency. Once you have a good batch melted put the lid on the jar tightly and set it aside. Now, prep your grill as normal, V out cracks on both sides, etc. Use clamps near the joint to align the two sides flush and parallel. Smear on some plastic goo, leave it crowned up over the crack like a regular weld looks, let it cure overnight. Sand to flush the next day, fill any pinholes with JB Weld. The crack will practically disappear at this point, paint as normal

[Beekeeper]

I like this idea. Just saved it so I can try it out sometime. I have always used fiberglass repair materials (typically short strand fillers) with good success. How does this compare in strength and longevity?

[1 Wild R/T]

Your using the same material the grill was originally made from...

[Beekeeper]

Doesn't the old material change (degrade) over time as it's exposed to the elements?

[jimynick]

Look at it more as taking old rusty scrap iron and smelting it. What you end up with, is new product. Same, same, and you're performing the chemical equivalent of fusion welding it. No questions re: compatibility to worry about either.   

[Beekeeper]

I'm gonna try it out. Seems like a clever way to get a better repair.

[mrbill426]

Sounds pretty interesting.  Now to find a sacrificial grill from that time frame to shave material from.

 

Scott Smith posted this years ago... I saved it... He use to work in a plastics injection molding facility & that along with just being a sharp guy.... This is your best option..

Repairing a cracked grill

Start with 100% pure Acetone, buy a gallon. 
Pour an ounce or so into a glass jar (small open mouth jar). Take a scrap grill and using something sharp, scrape off peelings (like pencil shavings size) into the jar of acetone. Put allot of shavings in, the acetone will gradually melt the plastic into a goo. Add enough plastic until the goo reaches toothpaste consistency. Once you have a good batch melted put the lid on the jar tightly and set it aside. Now, prep your grill as normal, V out cracks on both sides, etc. Use clamps near the joint to align the two sides flush and parallel. Smear on some plastic goo, leave it crowned up over the crack like a regular weld looks, let it cure overnight. Sand to flush the next day, fill any pinholes with JB Weld. The crack will practically disappear at this point, paint as normal

[1 Wild R/T]

Sounds pretty interesting.  Now to find a sacrificial grill from that time frame to shave material from.

 

Lots of donor Sea Bodies...... 

[rhamson]

Scott Smith posted this years ago... I saved it... He use to work in a plastics injection molding facility & that along with just being a sharp guy.... This is your best option..

Repairing a cracked grill

Start with 100% pure Acetone, buy a gallon. 
Pour an ounce or so into a glass jar (small open mouth jar). Take a scrap grill and using something sharp, scrape off peelings (like pencil shavings size) into the jar of acetone. Put allot of shavings in, the acetone will gradually melt the plastic into a goo. Add enough plastic until the goo reaches toothpaste consistency. Once you have a good batch melted put the lid on the jar tightly and set it aside. Now, prep your grill as normal, V out cracks on both sides, etc. Use clamps near the joint to align the two sides flush and parallel. Smear on some plastic goo, leave it crowned up over the crack like a regular weld looks, let it cure overnight. Sand to flush the next day, fill any pinholes with JB Weld. The crack will practically disappear at this point, paint as normal

  It really works. I also straightened out a warped bottom section of the grille insert by applying a thicker layer over the warp that I flattened into position straight. After the goo dried the bottom of the grille remained flat.