abaird
New Member
R129 owner so lots of interior parts that have cracked and don't sit properly because a plastic guide or flange etc has broken off when the 'last owner' just ripped it out....
To avoid having to buy new expensive parts and useless 'specialist glues' I've been using Plastic welding as the solution. Pretty simple principle is cut a piece of plastic in broad shape of the missing/broken item, use some mesh or small metal pins to give the 'weld' some structure and it works: Have used on lots of parts a really good example is the back of the seat control module. Typically at lease two of the 'guides securing points' are broken off. Using donor plastics including, mesh, plastic welding rods and picture hanging clip!!! you can work wonders. I've used the process on any part that the plastic has cracked AND IS NOT VISIBLE. So basically usable on virtually every interior part of the car...
What you need (see picture): Soldering Iron, mesh, different type of plastic welding rods (all these available on web in kits); SMALL metal PINS - from picture hanger (vital to provide strength) donor plastics AND any hook or other bit of plastic that has broad shape of the ie you are replacing ...
Sample before picture with two guides missing and after with both with new guide .... Yes don't look pretty BUT each has a pin melted to link the old and the new plastic.. It strong and as not visible does it matter how it looks... I'm sure with lots of practice you make them look pretty...
To avoid having to buy new expensive parts and useless 'specialist glues' I've been using Plastic welding as the solution. Pretty simple principle is cut a piece of plastic in broad shape of the missing/broken item, use some mesh or small metal pins to give the 'weld' some structure and it works: Have used on lots of parts a really good example is the back of the seat control module. Typically at lease two of the 'guides securing points' are broken off. Using donor plastics including, mesh, plastic welding rods and picture hanging clip!!! you can work wonders. I've used the process on any part that the plastic has cracked AND IS NOT VISIBLE. So basically usable on virtually every interior part of the car...
What you need (see picture): Soldering Iron, mesh, different type of plastic welding rods (all these available on web in kits); SMALL metal PINS - from picture hanger (vital to provide strength) donor plastics AND any hook or other bit of plastic that has broad shape of the ie you are replacing ...
Sample before picture with two guides missing and after with both with new guide .... Yes don't look pretty BUT each has a pin melted to link the old and the new plastic.. It strong and as not visible does it matter how it looks... I'm sure with lots of practice you make them look pretty...
