I have a 1975 Snark Sunflower. It has an ABS shell over the styrofoam.
I need to repair the shell -- it has cracks in it, and nothing's
missing. Other than duct tape and paint, what's a good idea? Isn't
there a chemical I can use to weld it back together?

Thanks.

M

wrote:

I have a 1975 Snark Sunflower. It has an ABS shell over the styrofoam.
I need to repair the shell -- it has cracks in it, and nothing's
missing. Other than duct tape and paint, what's a good idea? Isn't
there a chemical I can use to weld it back together?

Thanks.

M

Pipe cement glues ABS quite well, but you cant use that as it will eat
the foam. If the cracks are cosmetyic only, I'd live with them,
otherwise find a car body shop that repairs plastic bumpers . . .

--
Ian Malcolm. London, ENGLAND. (NEWSGROUP REPLY PREFERRED)
ianm[at]the[dash]malcolms[dot]freeserve[dot]co[dot]uk
[at]=@, [dash]=- & [dot]=. *Warning* HTML & 32K emails -- NUL:
'Stingo' Albacore #1554 - 15' Early 60's, Uffa Fox designed,
All varnished hot moulded wooden racing dinghy.

ABS is usually "welded" using a hot air "torch" and ABS rod. Such rigs
are available for about $30 from Harbor Freight. I have also repaired it
using a 25 watt soldering iron.

BS

wrote:
I have a 1975 Snark Sunflower. It has an ABS shell over the styrofoam.
I need to repair the shell -- it has cracks in it, and nothing's
missing. Other than duct tape and paint, what's a good idea? Isn't
there a chemical I can use to weld it back together?

Thanks.

M

wrote in message
oups.com...
I have a 1975 Snark Sunflower. It has an ABS shell over the styrofoam.
I need to repair the shell -- it has cracks in it, and nothing's
missing. Other than duct tape and paint, what's a good idea? Isn't
there a chemical I can use to weld it back together?

Thanks.

M

Look at http://www.urethanesupply.com/ for ideas. Also, check your local Pep
Boys or other car parts retailer for an epoxy-based two-part repair goop for
plastic car bumpers. It retails for about $6, is very easy to use, and seems
to work very well (on bumpers, maybe on boats as well.)

If you use a plastic welding gun to repair your ABS shell you will find
that the styrofoam will burn out to a carcinogenic fume, NOT GOOD FOR
YOU. Two part epoxy and urathane is good for repairing Polycarbonate
and Polypropolyne bumpers not every brand will work on ABS. If it does
the down side is that you can have a lot of cleaning of the repaired
area if asthetics are a concern and might absorb chemicals that splash
on it during day to day use unless sealed. I would use MEK (Methyl
Ethyl Ketone) solvent as a plastic welding glue, if it is a neat crack
and you are careful you shouldn't have any problems, try small strips
of duct tape to hold the join together while it sets. Some hardware
stores sell it, I usually purchase it from good hobby shops.

from Glenn
Mobile Plastic & Vinyl Repairs
Australia

On Jan 6, 5:03 am, " wrote:
I have a 1975 Snark Sunflower. It has an ABS shell over the styrofoam.
I need to repair the shell -- it has cracks in it, and nothing's
missing. Other than duct tape and paint, what's a good idea? Isn't
there a chemical I can use to weld it back together?

Thanks.

M

On Jan 6, 5:03 am, " wrote:


I have a 1975 Snark Sunflower. It has an ABS shell over the styrofoam.
I need to repair the shell -- it has cracks in it, and nothing's
missing. Other than duct tape and paint, what's a good idea? Isn't
there a chemical I can use to weld it back together?

Thanks.

M


I had similar boat. In the end (due to other issues) removed all the plastic covering and sealed the styrofoam with a coat of epoxy.


paul oman