Plastic welding, any tips?

[Golf Houso]

Thank you very much for the input guys, some valulable tips there. I've gotten a sheet of a very similar plastic which has a slightly lower melting point than the ABS, which isn't that great but is still ok to work with. I'll start practicing on some offcuts before I attack the bumper

Oh and I've busted my VR lip already, I might have a go at trying to fix that first

[rayray086]

Our front bumpers are PP+EPDM! The grille slats, lower duct pieces and side mirrors are ABS though.

It's not a case of similar melting point either... they may mix around once melted but they might not actually bond together well enough once they reach back to room temperature again! It's all chemistry though.

[DubSteve]

So in turn use front bars on front bars and rears on rears?

[Lorenz]

Rear bars and front bars should be the same plastic, thats what me and Ray have been using

[Mrk_Mickey]

So in turn use front bars on front bars and rears on rears?

rears and fronts are fine to use together, it's just the lips/trim (textured) and the front bar accessories like the grilles and stuff that are different materials.

[KI11Z]

WEAR A ****ING MASK!! Unless your a stoner and just practise, i dont think its that hard?!

[Mrk_Mickey]

WEAR A ****ING MASK!! Unless your a stoner and just practise, i dont think its that hard?!

Hah, one of the most important processes! Good boy hahah

Yeah with practice all things become easier. Once you get the hang of something there's noooooo going back!

[mk5 golf]

Hi guys, I've had the front bumper on my black '05 2.0 FSI damaged the other day and was wondering about this plastic welding thing as one of the members here suggested it. I haven't decided yet on whether to replace the whole bumper or just repair the damaged part on lower passenger side. Here are some of the photos taken on mobile:

http://s992.photobucket.com/albums/af50/mk5golf09/?action=view&current=SNC00430.jpg

http://s992.photobucket.com/albums/af50/mk5golf09/?action=view&current=SNC00429-1.jpg

I am not even sure what's under that area and has been damaged/fallen out. That's another thing that I will get looked at but with plastic welding on my damaged bumper, how would the finish look look like in general? Is it like noticeable? And could anyone recommend a good plastic welder in Sydney that they used? I've googled and found some but they don't always deal only with car parts. The bumper itself is in very good condition and so I wouldn't want to spend too much money or use insurance on replacing it. Thanks for any info/advice.

[Golf Houso]

Hi guys, I've had the front bumper on my black '05 2.0 FSI damaged the other day and was wondering about this plastic welding thing as one of the members here suggested it. I haven't decided yet on whether to replace the whole bumper or just repair the damaged part on lower passenger side. Here are some of the photos taken on mobile:

http://s992.photobucket.com/albums/af50/mk5golf09/?action=view&current=SNC00430.jpg

http://s992.photobucket.com/albums/af50/mk5golf09/?action=view&current=SNC00429-1.jpg

I am not even sure what's under that area and has been damaged/fallen out. That's another thing that I will get looked at but with plastic welding on my damaged bumper, how would the finish look look like in general? Is it like noticeable? And could anyone recommend a good plastic welder in Sydney that they used? I've googled and found some but they don't always deal only with car parts. The bumper itself is in very good condition and so I wouldn't want to spend too much money or use insurance on replacing it. Thanks for any info/advice.

Errrggg... I'd just get a new bumper, you could plastic weld a crack together but not reconstruct that, wouldn't be worth the time...

[Transporter]

Hi guys, I've had the front bumper on my black '05 2.0 FSI damaged the other day and was wondering about this plastic welding thing as one of the members here suggested it. I haven't decided yet on whether to replace the whole bumper or just repair the damaged part on lower passenger side. Here are some of the photos taken on mobile:

http://s992.photobucket.com/albums/af50/mk5golf09/?action=view&current=SNC00430.jpg

http://s992.photobucket.com/albums/af50/mk5golf09/?action=view&current=SNC00429-1.jpg

I am not even sure what's under that area and has been damaged/fallen out. That's another thing that I will get looked at but with plastic welding on my damaged bumper, how would the finish look look like in general? Is it like noticeable? And could anyone recommend a good plastic welder in Sydney that they used? I've googled and found some but they don't always deal only with car parts. The bumper itself is in very good condition and so I wouldn't want to spend too much money or use insurance on replacing it. Thanks for any info/advice.

You can try Q-bond, I used it to glue sliding door handle in our house and 5 years later it is still in one piece. You can quickly build up missing bits since it sets in less than 10s.

It is designed for gluing automotive components. I think that the dentists were using it as well, long time ago .

Good product.

[mk5 golf]

Errrggg... I'd just get a new bumper, you could plastic weld a crack together but not reconstruct that, wouldn't be worth the time...

You can try Q-bond, I used it to glue sliding door handle in our house and 5 years later it is still in one piece. You can quickly build up missing bits since it sets in less than 10s.

It is designed for gluing automotive components. I think that the dentists were using it as well, long time ago .

Good product.

Ok.. I've also seen some cracks on bumper being welded on the web but wasn't so sure if it's doable in my case. I just thought it may be worth considering as the bumper is like brand new other than that. I guess I will just find out how much a front bumper costs first.. including spraying and maybe just get it replaced. Thanks for the advice.

Transporter, thanks for the information.

[DMS_Dan]

New bar inc fitting and painting will cost you around $1000

[Jace]

I work for a plastics business.
We use a lot of Loctite products, including their 40X range and catalysts/accelerators.
If you're not afraid to sand and glue and sand some more, and fork out a bit of cash for Loctite products, then you'll be able to get a good DIY job.
I'm not sure about the type of plastic you'd be fixing, But try:
Loctite 401 or 406 as glues, Loctite 7452 as catalyst (spray onto the glue) and some fiberglass matting, to lay over the cracks/breaks.

Tools that will be super handy include:
A dremel
An Air Grinder/File/Sander
Power Sander
Lots of sandpaper (P150, P240, P320, 600/800 wet & dry, maybe 1200wet also)

There's no special skill required. It's easier than you'd think.

Edit: didn't look at your pictures. I assumed it was a clean break for some reason...
Good luck!

[Golf Houso]

Its interesting to see now I'm actually about 80% through my fully shaved and plastic welded front bar on my MK3 considering I started this thread, I'll take a few pics when I get the chance

[mk5 golf]

New bar inc fitting and painting will cost you around $1000

Thanks for that.

I work for a plastics business.
We use a lot of Loctite products, including their 40X range and catalysts/accelerators.
If you're not afraid to sand and glue and sand some more, and fork out a bit of cash for Loctite products, then you'll be able to get a good DIY job.
I'm not sure about the type of plastic you'd be fixing, But try:
Loctite 401 or 406 as glues, Loctite 7452 as catalyst (spray onto the glue) and some fiberglass matting, to lay over the cracks/breaks.

Tools that will be super handy include:
A dremel
An Air Grinder/File/Sander
Power Sander
Lots of sandpaper (P150, P240, P320, 600/800 wet & dry, maybe 1200wet also)

There's no special skill required. It's easier than you'd think.

Edit: didn't look at your pictures. I assumed it was a clean break for some reason...
Good luck!

Thanks for the information. I think I will give it a miss this time.. there is no way I can make it glossy like new. I am not very good with my hands.. thanks anyway.