Repairing plastic fairing

[Dominic]

hey guys, i have a crack in my plastic fairings, id like it fixed, and repainted...
just a flat colour.

Is it possible to offer someone a few cartons or some assistance and ill do it?

[House]

If you're looking to do it yourself, pick up some Plastex/Q-Bond (different names for same product I think).

Great stuff for fixing fairings. I think Repco stock Q-Bond.

[Ryder]

Consider borrowing/buying a plastic welder, or paying someone to weld it properly. Q-bond is ok, but it cannot beat doing it properly with the right equipment.

I'd be happy to help, I have all the gear, but only if you're up for a hike to NSW lol

[Hornet]

DON'T USE GLUE OR FIBRE GLASS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT!

It's a dodgy, cheap and absolutely useless way to do it, long term. Get it plastic welded properly. JME does the occasional job if you ask nicely. PM him, or do a search for other threads and see if anyone else does it. Failing that, call a motorcycle paint place to see who/what they use/charge for repairs. Motocycle Panel and Paint in Osborne Park might be worth phoning.

[House]

Plastic welding is fine too, but has to be done properly.

In my personal experience, Q-Bond was stronger. Keep in mind that

1. It's designed specifically for repairing broken plastics
2. It lets you build up a big bead of bonding powder along the inside of the fairing and uses much more bonding area than just the area of the broken surfaces, leaving a join that's stronger than the surrounding plastic when done properly

I had a bike where the panels had been previously plastic welded prior to me owning it, and after drop no. 1 most of the welds re-broke along the same lines. These were then Q-bonded, and after drop no. 2 at the track 18 months later, most of the breaks were new ones in previously continuous areas of plastic.

It's possible the original plastic welds were just badly done though.

Your mileage may vary, but personally there are more ways of fusing plastic back together than just heating it. When ABS piping (the same plastic as fairings) is used, do they plastic weld it together, or is it chemically bonded?

If you get it plastic welded by someone who knows what they're doing, then great. Otherwise, Q-Bond is much harder to stuff up.

[darkfibre]

If you are doing it yourself, I recommend Q-Bond. Plastic welding is a skill that requires some learning. Q-Bond just follow the instructions.

If you are paying to get repairs done, then there is more options.

The first time I used Q-bond, I was skeptical. I ended up being impressed how well it works for something that looks like powdered plastic and supa glue.

[Dominic]

Cool! thanks guys!
Q-bond it is!

[claymen]

I used a combination of Q-Bond and some fibreglass behind the area. Worked a treat and is exceptionally strong.

[bigmak]

heat up a flathead screwdriver 'stitch' the plastic then melt it back flat sand n spray, dodgy but works.

[Ryder]

If anyone is considering doing plastic welding, check out these sites, they are a great read.

Dodgy welding with a soldering iron

Doing it properly with a welder

Just bear in mind a soldering iron runs too hot for plastic welding, and it is easy to burn the plastic, making it brittle. IMO a proper welder is a great investment for a bike owner.

[Flyboy]

DON'T USE GLUE OR FIBRE GLASS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT!

Fibreglass done correctly will do the job fine. Its all in the prep. A bit of thought, patience and the correct techniques will give you a neat finish. It is far more labour intensive than q-bond though.

And avoiding chopped strand matting. That stuff is only good for making moulds.

Cotton flocking makes great filler for the 'show' side and adds strength back to the damaged area too.