Fairing Repair Q

Hey this is a subject that comes up a bit, and obviously I've already done a search.

As far as I can tell, Plastex is the product to use ... but after a quick call around it seems that no one can supply it anymore, and possibly the company has been sold altogether and then abandoned.

I also read that ABS cement is good to use to repair cracks etc however I don't know if anyone can confirm that (anyone used it ?).

I've also heard a combination of fibreglass and epoxy can be used, however that method probably won't be neat enough to use for the repairs to the fairing that will be visible to the outside (i'm not in a mood to care for the bits that aren't visible hehe)

I'm trying to do things cheap here, so buying a plastic welding gun probably isn't an option. Also in my experience, it takes a 'knack' to get plastic welding to look half decent, whereas glueing takes time, work and patience (something I have more of) rather than some kind of mythical skill

If anyone has a whole crudload of plastex they can sell me i'd be happy to buy it, or if anyone has other products they can recommend I'm all ears too.

p.s. greeny -> don't panic this is for the ZZR, not the ZX6R - only professional hands and equipment are gunna touch those fairings

Try this , I bought a small one off this guy for $7.00 it works great

http://www.oztion.com.au/-Plastic-Repai ... 56141.aspx

looks like it would be alright, however it does seem pricey (the current bid is quite a bit, and only one is available). I'm hoping to find something that i can actually buy ... like ... retail or something.

Also i think that product (plastech formula) has been discontinued as well.

hahaha i htought ud be a pro at fixing broken bits by now??

easiest solution?? streetfighter it!!

They have Garage packs & Handy packs here matey

http://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/pr ... d=134&pg=3

Check out that link above and about half way down the page you will see a product by Permatex " multi metal epoxy ". You will find it at Bursons or Repco for $13.95, it is excellent for putting pieces back together and is super strong. It doesnt say it in the description on that web page but the packet states it is ideal for ABS plastic. It can be sanded and used as a filler. I used it on the weekend and I am very happy with the results.

Alrighty - thanks for your help so far, I'm looking in to both those options now

abandoned? shyte, that's seriously crap! might have to start raiding the local bike stores and buying senseless quantities of the stuff if that's the case.

I hope its not true, its really an awesome product.

try melting a furrow into the crack with a soldering iron and melting in a cable tie.
a couple of considerations... like dont go all the way through with the iron, 'stitching' across after the join is done and cant think of any more now.

Thats a good idea grasshopper, but cable ties often don't stick. I found that different sections of fairing are made of different plastics. For my current project I got the radiator intake section from a zzr 250 and I'm going to cut it up.

A soldering iron is a cheap way BUT make sure you use the same plastic as the bike as filler (like a rod for welding would work). Old farings are the best, as can be witnessed by the amount of old fairings the pros keep lying around.
Realise it is NEVER going to be as strong as the original plastic and will crack in the same spot as soon as any stress goes on the panel.
A cure is to then back it with another layer glued to the panel/join to spread any following stresses.

Although it is not MEANT for it I HAVE used (successfully) liquid steel like Devcon...

precisely why i fibreglassed the back of my front mudguard (age and flex over the years) and a split in my lower cowling (a brick spat out from the rear wheels of a truck). Up to four layers of glass laid in the one sitting depending on the stress on the area to be precise. Now the current owner shouldn't have any problems with it or my lower cowling.

Had repaired it over 18 months earlier when i sold it and it showed no sign of a problem whatsoever.

yeah looks like i'm going to have to ugly up the back of the fairing with alot of fibreglass reinforcement and/or some plastic weld, or there is also a plasticweld glue from Permatex (just gotta find somewhere that can supply me with it). So some combination of those three techniques will hopefully give the parts some decent strength for the years to come.

I'll let everyone know how it goes when i get around to it i'm a busy student y'know !

thanks for ya help !

Try your local repco for permatex / devcon adhesives.
If you cant find anything there then visit this site;
http://www.itw-devcon.com.au/driver.asp?page=main/home
Then call this bloke;
Devcon SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Contact: Morris Zammitt
Mobile: 0419 336 059
Too easy
Then again plastic welding is not that expensive to have done - depending upon what is required of course. Why not take your parts in to a repairer to look at and quote? You may be surprised.