Repairing clear plastic?!?! - Honda Forum / Acura Forum

civicilian · 08-11-2005, 10:14 AM

So, I had to cut a hole in my clear plastic gauge cover to fit my new tach on the gauge-bezel. When I did this, I accidently cracked the plastic a few times. It's nothing big, just kind of looks bad.
Any ideas on how to repair it??

I thought of superglue, scotch tape, and surf-board resin...none of which would probly work except the latter.
Any one???
Thanks.

joeyl · 08-12-2005, 09:39 AM

it will just look bad, how about getting a used cluster on ebay?

civicilian · 08-12-2005, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeyl

it will just look bad, how about getting a used cluster on ebay?

Well, I just looked, and all the ones they have look like they're from 91 and 90, which has a different clip pattern around the edge.
I know this because I have a 91 cluster in the garage...:noo

wilshlong · 08-12-2005, 11:42 PM

I've worked in a body shop for about 7 years so I have some experience with repairing plastic. Clear plastic's not easy cause anything you put on it will probly show. Your best bet is to find a new piece and start over. If you can't do that 3M does make an almost clear two-part plastic repair material that's ultra fast and that would work for glueing pieces together. If they're just cracks though try this; Take a lighter and slowly melt the very tip of a corner that's hidden, if it gets soft and bends it's probly polystyrene the same stuff (almost) that model cars are made of. If that's the case go down to your local hobby store and pick up a bottle of flowable model glue, not the gooey gel but the stuff that's thin like water. Then just touch the corner of the crack with the brush and capillary action will suck it into the crack and it should mostly go away. Then polish with light compound and a clean cloth.

civicilian · 08-13-2005, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilshlong

I've worked in a body shop for about 7 years so I have some experience with repairing plastic. Clear plastic's not easy cause anything you put on it will probly show. Your best bet is to find a new piece and start over. If you can't do that 3M does make an almost clear two-part plastic repair material that's ultra fast and that would work for glueing pieces together. If they're just cracks though try this; Take a lighter and slowly melt the very tip of a corner that's hidden, if it gets soft and bends it's probly polystyrene the same stuff (almost) that model cars are made of. If that's the case go down to your local hobby store and pick up a bottle of flowable model glue, not the gooey gel but the stuff that's thin like water. Then just touch the corner of the crack with the brush and capillary action will suck it into the crack and it should mostly go away. Then polish with light compound and a clean cloth.

Thanks, man. i will definitely check that out.

Mr GSR · 08-13-2005, 04:59 PM

Just get one from a junk yard or ebay... Clear is going to be super hard to repair and make look decent.

civicilian · 08-13-2005, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr GSR

Just get one from a junk yard or ebay... Clear is going to be super hard to repair and make look decent.

tried all that, these cars (and gauges) are very hard to find for a 92, cuz that year is different from all other years.

joeyl · 08-15-2005, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by civicilian

Well, I just looked, and all the ones they have look like they're from 91 and 90, which has a different clip pattern around the edge.
I know this because I have a 91 cluster in the garage...:noo

how different? you may be able to modify it? :w00t

civicilian · 08-15-2005, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeyl

how different? you may be able to modify it? :w00t

right, but it's not really worth the work.
These are just 2 small cracks here, ya know??

civicilian · 08-16-2005, 08:32 PM

ya, I think I'll just leave it.