Write-up ABS Interior Trim Repair
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,969
Likes: 389
From: Chicago, IL
Write-up ABS Interior Trim Repair A few threads on related problems have been posted over the last year, so I thought I'd write up an inexpensive solution while undertaking my recent repair:
Many plastics get brittle as they age or crack due to fatigue. This, of course, leads to breakage. Many plastics can be welded (mechanically or chemically) and repaired, especially if the crack is not visible. In general, one can look up the plastic material code stamped on the back of the part, determine which material it is, and then look up the correct adhesive. (Super Glue and epoxy are almost always NOT the optimal adhesive!)
The most common material I've had to work with on my interior has been ABS plastic. Some of the door panel parts are ABS, as is the manual shifter boot trim ring. Fortunately, ABS is very easy to weld and the cement makes a chemical bond that is stronger than the original material! Below are details on the repair of my driver's side window switch panel:
Above is an example of the "ABS" material marking on the back of the part.
For ABS repairs, a special ABS Cement is available from plumbing supplies and some home centers for just a couple of dollars. It works a lot like PVC cement, but is used commonly for ABS pipe. (rather than PVC pipe)
To repair, use a toothpick or other tool to gather some PVC cement and spread it on BOTH pieces you want to glue together.
Next, press the two pieces together and hold in place for a minute or so until the glue just starts to set up. Once it has started to set, you can smear some additional cement on the back side of the repair to reinforce it. For this part, I also had to take a toothpick and remove some of the additional cement that flowed to the inside of the switch holder, so the notches on the switch would engage properly.
Once the part has cured for 24 hours, it should be close to its final strength and ready to use.
Many plastics get brittle as they age or crack due to fatigue. This, of course, leads to breakage. Many plastics can be welded (mechanically or chemically) and repaired, especially if the crack is not visible. In general, one can look up the plastic material code stamped on the back of the part, determine which material it is, and then look up the correct adhesive. (Super Glue and epoxy are almost always NOT the optimal adhesive!)
The most common material I've had to work with on my interior has been ABS plastic. Some of the door panel parts are ABS, as is the manual shifter boot trim ring. Fortunately, ABS is very easy to weld and the cement makes a chemical bond that is stronger than the original material! Below are details on the repair of my driver's side window switch panel:
Above is an example of the "ABS" material marking on the back of the part.
For ABS repairs, a special ABS Cement is available from plumbing supplies and some home centers for just a couple of dollars. It works a lot like PVC cement, but is used commonly for ABS pipe. (rather than PVC pipe)
To repair, use a toothpick or other tool to gather some PVC cement and spread it on BOTH pieces you want to glue together.
Next, press the two pieces together and hold in place for a minute or so until the glue just starts to set up. Once it has started to set, you can smear some additional cement on the back side of the repair to reinforce it. For this part, I also had to take a toothpick and remove some of the additional cement that flowed to the inside of the switch holder, so the notches on the switch would engage properly.
Once the part has cured for 24 hours, it should be close to its final strength and ready to use.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,969
Likes: 389
From: Chicago, IL
Epoxies and super glues are usually the right choice when you want to adhere dissimilar materials together. This is a good chart on what to use to weld plastics. (Some should be heat welded, some can be chemically welded, and some like ABS can be either.) http://www.urethanesupply.com/pdf/idchart.pdf
For your dash, you should be able to ID the plastic on each part and use the table above or other resources to figure out the best thing to use.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,969
Likes: 389
From: Chicago, IL
My biggest beef with these 4th gens in comparision to the old musclecars is that there's so much cheap plastic, and it's getting brittle with age.
This repair chart might save my sanity.
Thanks, wssix99.
This repair chart might save my sanity.
Thanks, wssix99.
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
