plastics

[Sridhar Ayengar]

Pete Turnbull wrote:
> If it's a really small area I've sometimes tried stippling with a fine 
> brush after applying a tiny amount of solvent, or "ragging" it with a 
> wad of suitably textured cloth (wadded into a ball and applied like a 
> stippler).  Perhaps it's just my lack of skill, but I'd describe the 
> results as disguises rather than matching repairs.

I've had some success using "patch paper", which is normally sold for 
use in repairing synthetic automotive upholstery.  You inject whatever 
multipart epoxy is compatible with the plastic you're trying to repair, 
put the patch paper texture-side-down on the surface of the plastic, and 
wait for the epoxy to set.  When it's halfway-set but not fully cured, 
you remove the patch paper.  Then you leave the epoxy to set, while 
careful not to shift the join until the curing is complete.  The only 
tricky bit is that you have to make sure the patch paper is compatible 
with the epoxy.

Peace...  Sridhar