Re: SS20 case glue?

On 8/31/13 11:47 AM, [email protected] wrote:
> On Sat, Aug 31, 2013 at 02:59:53AM -0400, Mouse wrote:
>
>> But it does prompt me to ask if anyone knows what sort of glue will
>> work on that plastic.  I've tried using acetone to solvent-weld it in
>> the past (for much more minor damage), with no success.  Anyone have
>> success stories to share?
> I don't have any case stories but I have fixed a lot of kid's toys with
> regular grocery store "crazy clue". I would think for big pieces like you're
> talking about what just might work (if you have some thick plastic straps
> (and I don't mean flexible straps but strapping as in wood straps but I
> can't think of an alternate term to use right now) and enough clearance
> inside the case) would be to use a good epoxy specified for plastic and glue
> up the broken pieces and then glue the straps along the crack lines to
> reinforce and hold everything tightly in place, maybe with a few strategic
> drops of crazy glue to hold the straps tight to the broken pieces while
> everything sets. It should work and be strong, but it will probably not be
> pretty unless they broke really cleanly and you have a light touch putting
> things back together.
>
> If nobody has any better ideas and you're still not decided or want
> perfection, it would probably be worth trying to find either guys who do
> heavy duty plastic scale modeling or body shop guys online since they
> inevitably work with a lot of plastic trim pieces and don't like ugly
> jobs, and see what advice you get. You might even consider scoping out body
> shops if you have any near you and see what one of the guys would charge to
> fix it on his own time, using the company's tools and materials, of course!

I build plastic scale models and restore cars.

The thing to remember about scale models is that they are intended to 
spend a life on a shelf (despite what most people building models did as 
a kid).  The nicely built kits look nice, but don't touch.  I don't 
think model building technique would work for something that needs to be 
functional like a computer case.

I think techniques for restoration of plastic automotive interior pieces 
would be most applicable here.  The problem is that the plastic is the 
exposed surface.  Body shop work involves filler and paint which can 
cover the ugliness of the repair. Super glues used to not work so well 
on plastic interior pieces, butI just repaired a Fiat X1/9 console using 
Loctite brand gel super flue and the repair seems very solid.  However, 
glue was pressed out of the repair when the two pieces came together.  
One can wipe it off, but, because the exposed surface of the plastic has 
a slight texture, it is hard to clean off all of the excess glue. Also, 
the line of the repair will look like a crack.  Painting can hide this, 
but you would need to exactly match the color (or paint the whole 
thing).  At least these days paint that adhere to plastic is readily 
available.

I am thinking about taking the top cover for the Axil's case to my paint 
shop friend.  The Axil has a metal top cover, which is painted.  The 
paint is worn down to bare metal in a couple of places.  The top cover 
has a slight texture, which somehow needs to be recreated and then 
painted while not damaging the "Axil 320" logo, which is painted on or 
applied over the paint.

alan