Side cover ABS repair?

[velofish]

Have a couple side covers cracked at the fastening holes. Anyone have luck repairing these? If so, how?

[czakky]

I have used fiberglass joint tape (drywall repair) bedded in your favorite epoxy. Been holding so far.

[bbolesaz]

Jet ski'ers use ABS repair kits when they ding the hull.  Go to a jet ski shop and get one of the kits.  It will include woven fiberglass mat and the right epoxy for ABS and instructions.

[Scud]

While you're at it, think about where the holes should be in order to install easily. I've had to elongate the holes to get the panels to fit without too much pressure (which causes the cracks) and to not rub under the tank.

[Kiwi_Roy]

Re-enforce it with a thin aluminium sheet drilled like a Swiss cheese held in place by JB weld or Bondo

The aluminium spreads the stress over a larger area rather than having it concentrated around the hole.

[velofish]

Thanks, gents.  I'll fix them up and report back with results.

[LowRyter]

Appreciate your feedback.  Both my side covers are cracked and the starter cover is split.  

 

epoxy from the backside hasn't helped.  

[docc]

I've used blank circuit board epoxied and clamped, but got better (thinner) results with common fiberglass repair kits available at auto parts stores.

 

Plus, no worry about epoxying a clamp to your side cover . . .

[LowRyter]

I dropped off the side and starter covers off with my body shop guy.  

 

He was pretty optimistic that he could fix all three parts in a couple of days without painting them.  Apparently there is a new miracle adhesive-filler that is super strong and works super good.  I think he uses it for plastic bumper repairs.  Since some of the parts around the screw holes are broken and lost, I am not sure he'll touch them up or leave bare.  

 

When I get it all back I'll provide a report.  

[velofish]

Thanks, Low.  Between fixing the lawn mower, some plumbing repairs,  changing tires on the MZ, etc, I haven't had time to mess with the side covers.  I'd love to know if there's a better fix.

[LowRyter]

here is the work done on the panels.  Dusty (Central Customs in OKC)  uses 3M 04247 two part filler epoxy + adhesion promoter.  He filled, bonded and sanded.  Since he knew I didn't want to paint it, he was limited to working on the backside only.  

 

I gave him the paint recipe using the candy paints from House of Kolor and may go that route in future.

 

 

 

 

[swooshdave]

Apparently there's a place out of the U.K. you can get touch up paint, even in a small spray can. It looks to be a three part solution with silver base and clear too. I may try it on a small part like a fairing.

 

 

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[LowRyter]

Apparently there's a place out of the U.K. you can get touch up paint, even in a small spray can. It looks to be a three part solution with silver base and clear too. I may try it on a small part like a fairing.

 

 

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http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=17183

 

here's the forumla

[docc]

That looks like a good, solid repair. I've done this various ways over the years.

 

Once installed, those points will be all but invisible without close inspection. Even a little mask of flat black would subdue the fastener area further.

 

I realize the black thing could raise some Greenie Attitude . . .

[LowRyter]

yeah, it's pretty difficult to see unless you get on our knees in and inspect it in broad day light.  We'll see if it's as durable as advertised.  

 

Dusty did a similar fix when someone (not me) ripped the side cover of my EV thinking it was pried off rather than screwed on.  It would've been nice if I was told that it was broken rather than find it in the middle of the road an hour after I rode it.  But that side cover didn't break on it's own on the EV like the Greenie.  So we'll see.