Plastic repair product

[geordie-kiwi]

Hi Guys...I may be going over old stuff but here goes. Today I found a product caled RapidFix - http://shop.rapid-fix.com/c/professional - for repairing plastic fairing bits, it repairs other materials too.
I had some cracks in various places on fairing and dash panel and this product worked a treat, it is incredibly strong and can be sanded reasonably easy.....although for painting would still require a filler over the top. I made al my repairs on the back side of the panels and therefore left the front faces ready to accept filler then paint where required, I have had a fair bit of plastic welding done by a local company and although the work is good the cost is quite high, I bought this rapid fix for NZ $35 and I reckon it will go a long way (depending on how big your crack is!!!!!!).
I guess the US boys would already know about this as its a US product, anyway its got my reccomendation as an alternative to plastic welding.

[Goody]

I've used this product to on my cracks and it works brilliantly . Definitely worth the cash. 

[rktmanfj]

Thanks, guys!

Never heard of the product before.

I'm getting ready to buy a plastic welder, but this is an option for small jobs.

Now, to start rounding up FJ plastic parts to do repairs with... 

[Capn Ron]

Watched a couple videos of this stuff...a couple testimonials...Placed an order.  I have a LOT of crackly bits on the fairing mount points!

I'll report back with a review

Cap'n Ron. . .

[giantkiller]

Plastex is similar to this only the welding powder is plastic powder. Comes in a couple different colors. Has a reusable molding bar so you can fill in missing chunks. I'm going to buy a bigger kit. It's super easy to use. I've fixed a bunch of cracks and filled in a chunk that was missing on a chin spoiler. The molding bar that comes with the small kit isn't going to be big enough for big holes so I'm getting the bigger kit. To add to the bar I have. Plus I've used it so much the powder is almost gone.

I just started using this so longevity is unknown. But so far it's great.

[red]

I have not used this product, so I do not know about it's chances of surviving, long term.

The repair process here reminds me of a trick used for RC model planes, which is Cyanoacrylate (superglue) and baking soda (as the welding powder).  Dump some baking soda into a crack, rub it in with a finger, and add a few drops of superglue.  Let it soak in, then add more more baking soda.  Smooth and level the surface with a plastic spatula (cut from a disposable butter tub lid) and add just enough superglue to wet all the powder.  This trick produces a rock-hard filler-binder.  The repair will not be flexible, though, so it will join materials and fill gaps, but if heavy  flexing occurs, it can crack like a china dish.  Any exposed bumps in the results will need a metal file, not sandpaper, to flatten.  Make some test pieces to see how hard this stuff gets, because it may surprise you.

Conventional  superglues only last a few years, then begin to degrade or soften.  Industrial superglues last longer, and may have some flexibility, as well.  Check with the glue manufacturer, for the products that will do the best jobs for you.  I have repaired all sorts of materials with hobby-shop superglues and baking soda, but not on the bike (so far).

When I needed a new visor for an older helmet, I could not get an OEM visor.  I had the bike shop find a good fit with a new visor, but the large mounting holes were not centered correctly on the helmet.  I put fender washers in the big holes, cut down to give me holes in the right places to match my helmet.  I installed the original plastic pivot bolts, then used this repair process to tack the fender washers in place on the visor.  I removed the visor, then used the same process to fill all gaps, and to hide the washers smoothly in place.  This "instant filler" was applied to both sides of the visor, and smoothed with a file.  The results are strong, and it looks good.

Cheers,
Red

[Derek Young]

Plastex is similar to this only the welding powder is plastic powder. Comes in a couple different colors. Has a reusable molding bar so you can fill in missing chunks.

Plasifix is a similar product. I've used it several times with pretty good success.

Derek