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 Help Repairing Plastic Boat 
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MMT F.E.
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Joined: Thu Jan 15, 2009 6:35 pm
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Location: South LA
Post Help Repairing Plastic Boat
I bought a Otter Final Attack layout boat for an extremely good price but it has about a 3-4 inch gash in the side with some jagged edges. It is made of polyethelyne and I have heard that it is very hard to repair. West Marine came out with a new eqoxy a couple of years ago called G-Flex that is supposed to adhere.

I've bought the G-Flex, some fiberglass cloth and will prep with alcohol. Does anyone have any tips for repairing plastic? I know there is plastic welding but I did not want to attempt it myself and did not know of a local shop. Thanks


Tue Sep 07, 2010 10:55 am
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Joined: Thu May 20, 2010 7:55 pm
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Location: iowa
Post Re: Help Repairing Plastic Boat
I used to work in a plastic factory. Some types are easy to melt and repair with just a heat gun others not so much. I would try it on a safe spot on the boat and see if you can melt it back together. You can use a propane torch just be very careful not to burn it. A good heat gun works best... U can also ad a little new material if need be. We used to rework everything from plastic gas tanks to backhoe roofs.

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Wed Sep 08, 2010 9:40 am
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Location: Tarkington, TX
Post Re: Help Repairing Plastic Boat
I've had a 4 wheeler fender plastic welded. It was a red rod to match the plastic color, and heated with a heat gun and melt them together to joing it back together. It has held up after 10 years. I cant recall the guy who did it. IIRC he was in Opelousas.

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Wed Sep 08, 2010 9:55 am
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Joined: Thu Jun 10, 2010 8:59 pm
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Location: South Florida
Post Re: Help Repairing Plastic Boat
The fiberglass cloth and resin won't last long. Call the manufacturer and get them to send you some repair sticks of the polyethylene. Then use a heat gun to weld it back together. If there is any big pieces missing then you'll need a piece about the same size and shape to weld in. I've done this many times with my polyethylene kayaks and it is a permanent repair.

Nathan

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Wed Sep 08, 2010 7:25 pm
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