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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: nc43bsa on December 21, 2022, 03:53:24 PM
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Does anyone here know how to determine what plastic an object is made from?
I'm attempting to repair a part from a 30 year old Cadillac that has been discontinued by GM, and I can't find a used part.
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Smooth on offers a variety of products for production and reproduction, all professional quality product and support. Check out their website for information about possible solutions to your project-
https://www.smooth-on.com/ (https://www.smooth-on.com/)
Simple testing of product, although it may require sacrificing some of the original material-
https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/faqs/faq-how-using-simple-manual-tests-can-i-identify-an-unknown-plastic-material (https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/faqs/faq-how-using-simple-manual-tests-can-i-identify-an-unknown-plastic-material)
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Well equipped body repair shops have pro plastic welding equipment that can make for a perfect repair. Worth checking out. As per mending, JB Weld Plastic Bonder 2 part epoxy does a great job regardless of plastic type. When combined with metal mesh backing or Simpson Tie perforated plate or similar DIY perforated thin metal it can make for a super strong repair. My 30 year old Corvette was literally held together by JBWeld plastic bonder
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If you can make a reasonable bodge repair, perhaps the piece can then be cast in plaster or such and poured with new plastic. I have a two part (powder and solvent) casting kit (Plast-Aid) that molds small plastic things hard as a rock. Seriously strong stuff. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YGzjWeK-nY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YGzjWeK-nY)
Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA
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Might check around your area for someone with a 3D printer, depending how big the part is.
Paul B :boozing:
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Have a good look on the inside surface of the part, most automotive plastics have been marked with part number, manufacturing date code and a code identifying the material for the past 30+ years.
I've a set of fairing parts for a 32 year old Yamaha next to me in the workshop, they tell me it's ABS and I've two date codes 07-91 and 04-96 indicating that some have been replaced at some point in its life.
There are a number of websites with decoders for the material.
Good luck.
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Check the reverse side of the part. There should be some info about the type of plastic. Check this out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkaKLowAsrI or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A9yvmLR-K0
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Well equipped body repair shops have pro plastic welding equipment that can make for a perfect repair. Worth checking out. As per mending, JB Weld Plastic Bonder 2 part epoxy does a great job regardless of plastic type. When combined with metal mesh backing or Simpson Tie perforated plate or similar DIY perforated thin metal it can make for a super strong repair. My 30 year old Corvette was literally held together by JBWeld plastic bonder
that
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Toms suggestion is a good one, however if you can't find a marking and at 30 years old there's a reasonable chance you wont, try this chart - https://partec.qld.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Plastics_Identification_Flow_Chart.pdf The one Cliff posted earlier misses out on quite a few materials commonly used in automotives
Cheers
Steve
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This company Polyvance ,has a great chart for identifying plastics for repair
Rick.
https://www.polyvance.com/identify.php
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Sorry...I could not resist....Classic movie scene... :laugh: :grin: :wink: :thumb: :bow: :cool: :boozing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaCHH5D74Fs
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He says it's $16 from Harbor Freight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIMl9vtRqPg
More plastic welding techniques.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IMAtlPSORs