How to fix crack in plastic fender

[RipTide]

I have developed a crack in the plastic fender near the handhold on my John Deere. Any suggestions on the best way to fix this type of crack? I also think I would like to reinforce the handhold under the fender when I do get it fixed to prevent it from happening again.

 

[SnowRidge]

Try searching on "plastic welding" in Google. It's done with a special hot air gun and plastic "welding rod," I believe. Harbor Freight sells kits for this, but I have no idea if they are any good.

Plastic fabrication shops can do this for you, too. Look in the yellow pages.

All of the above with the caveat that I looked into this a few years back, but didn't do it. I was looking at polyethylene repair at the time. I would think your fender is a different type of plastic, though.

 

[Farwell]

RipTide,
If the fender is fiberglass an auto supply house will have repair kits that will do the job. If it is not, try to find out what type of plastic it is. Different plastics have different repair procedures. If all else fails, get a small amount of Bondo and see it that will adhere to the plastic. If it is fiberglass, you may be able to work some metal mesh or small rod into the underside, out of site, area of the fender.
Farwell

 

[GerardC]

<font color="blue">Any suggestions on the best way to fix this type of crack?</font>

How much does it cost to replace it? That is the best way. You could then take your old one to (trial and error) different thing to reinforce it and then apply what you've learned to the new one. Then you could post back and teach us all. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[rockyridgefarm]

LVU11597 FENDER, LH SIDE 485.00 USD

I would talk to a Deere shop. They should have some method.... As you know, it is a high tech polymer, not fiberglass. I have seen the terms Xenoy and JDalloy, not sre what was used on the 4200....

 

[EddieWalker]

Not sure about the plastic welds and glues.

To stop it from growing, drill a small hole at the end of the crack.

Get some pieces of flat steel in the 1 inch by 2 inch ranch. Drill holes throught the metal and line them up with your crack. Drill holes through the plastic to line them all up and use pop rivits.

You'll see the rivit heads, but some paint will hide them.

I've done this on plastic and fiberglass.

Eddie

 

[Boomerang1]

First, take your part to an autobody supply shop to find out what kind of plastic you have. SMC (sheet molded compound),Thermoset, ABS, polypropylene, Fiberglass, etc... They will sell you a two part adhesive filler made by 3M. Drill a small hole at the end of the crack. V out the crack in the part and feather back the paint with 80 grit sand paper. Duct tape the back of the part to hold it together and fill in crack with repair material. When hard, remove tape and repeat on back side. You will need a special primer to spray on to keep from swelling up the repair. Then refinish like any normal part.

 

[slowrev]

This reminds me of the old discussions on here about which was better metal or plastic bodies on tractors........

Ben

 

[beenthere]

I still think the plastic is best. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[slowrev]

Beenthere,
I wouldn't dream of trying to convince you otherwise /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
We will be seeing more of these types of posts though as the plastic coated tractors age a bit.

Ben