Repairing cracked HDPE plastic tractor cab roofs?

[jyoutz]

IDK about that kit. Looks interesting. I just repaired some plastic molding on a vehicle with JB weld epoxy for automotive plastics, and it seems to be a good repair. This is not the same as regular JB weld or other epoxy. It’s made specifically for automotive plastic panels. I bought it at Autozone.

 

[McTowner]

This guy appears to use same type of heat clip gun

 

[sd455dan]

For $25 bucks, might be worth a shot?

Wish I had started with that welder on my JD x 500 hood.

Instead I used fiber glass matt and resin only. I think using the welder with staples first and then either the fiberglass or maybe Devcon 2 part epoxy would also work and be stronger. I would not use flex seal.
here is a vid of using both

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Previous owner was a fan of spackling compound for repairs.

like was pointed out earlier, the type of plastic is generally cast in to the part.
JD apparently uses polycarbonate plastic which is supposedly better dealing with impact resistance versus HDPE

 

[Grumpycat]

This is what I would use. This is the kayak kit but they package it optimized for different uses. Don’t hesitate to call and ask what they suggest for your application. I have used this plastic welder to repair a dirtbike plastic gasoline tank and many fenders and side panels.

Professional KC Welder | Airless Welders

Use the KCWPRO to create permanent repairs to your cracked kayak or cracked canoe. This kayak repair kit / canoe repair kit comes with everything you need. Airless Welders

www.polyvance.com

The item posted by the O.P. appears to be staples which are melted in to the HDPE. Nothing is done to seal the seam.

Polyvance sells mesh one can melt into the seam for added strength. Or one could find a stainless steel or brass mesh or window screen to make your own. McMaster would be a good source to search for a metal mesh tape.

This is before:

http://home.hiwaay.net/~dkelly/dirtbike/GreenCrack.jpg

After:

http://home.hiwaay.net/~dkelly/dirtbike/CrackWeld2.jpg

To the best I know it has held 20 years.

 

[fruitcakesa]

I smashed a huge ragged hole in the cab roof on my M and first just used bituthane roof sealant then later on used West system 2 part epoxy and fglas matt to make an ugly but serviceable repair. That was 3 years ago and I notice it is beginning to lift a little in spots. I have since punched a couple of more holes and just rednecked them with duct tape and aluminum tape

 

[Rockbadchild]

I can't open your link but I know that every plastic welding kit is specific to its plastic type and won't bond to anything else other than that... I have used urethane (windshield adhesive) to glue plastic it works great, and it is strong but its black.

 

[rangerfredbob]

For HDPE the $16 soldering iron style kit from Harbor Freight works ok, it comes with some stainless screen to imbed in the plastic to help strength wise and way more filler material than is usable with the build quality of the unit but I have no regrets buying a couple of the kits... DO NOT FORCE THE IRON, let the heat do the work, the shoe is copper with 6mm threads at the iron end, if you push too hard it bends and will break off (but you can run a die down it and get one more go...).

 

[jjeff]

Failed at a few attempts plastic welding especially higher stress cold temperature areas, so I became profecient using mending plates with rivets and occasionally zip ties I can live with it because most of my stuff is well worn. One thing I have learned with cracked plastic is drilling a small hole at end of crack to prevent from spreading. Good luck

 

[boatmoter]

IDK about that kit. Looks interesting. I just repaired some plastic molding on a vehicle with JB weld epoxy for automotive plastics, and it seems to be a good repair. This is not the same as regular JB weld or other epoxy. It’s made specifically for automotive plastic panels. I bought it at Autozone.

Steinel 07121 110048753 Hdpe Plastic Welding Rods Black, 16Pcs <> any black rods are for Hdpe plastic

Steinel 07121 110048753 HDPE Plastic Welding Rods Black, 16Pcs

Buy Steinel 110048753 Steinel 07121 110048753 HDPE Plastic Welding Rods Black, 16Pcs MTESolutions

mtesolutionsinc.com

 

[Jkolton]

I’ve got a fiberglass-reinforced canopy, and have cracked it several times (the tree limbs just reach down and “get” me when I’m mowing). I’ve repaired numerous times with metal latch plates on the outside and inside of the canopy, and pop rivets through to hold everything in place. Works well.