How do I fix a damaged pannier? | Page 2 | GTAMotorcycle.com

How do I fix a damaged pannier?

GreyGhost said:
Boat places are a good source of west system components.

For your particular repair, I like mike's approach as it can remelt the plastic into one piece instead of cracked pieces, joints and filler. I use to do something similar with Methyl Methacrylate and ABS. It would soften the base plastic and once the MMA flashed off the joint would be as good as the base. Buying MMA is much harder than buying Acetone so I would use Mikes guide..
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I'd go with Mike's fix as well. We used to do the same thing collage only we used MEK (methylethylkeytone). Acetone is likely less (not much) toxic.
 
I don't know if this is relevant based on the type of plastic the cases are made of but Delboy has a video on how to weld plastic. Might be worth a look.

 
+1 for west systems g-flex epoxy. Works really well for cracked white water kayaks and many other repairs. Welding is an option if you want the seams to look perfect, like you would need for motorcycle fairings, but if you place fiberglass cloth with epoxy around the cracks it will be much stronger. Don't be fooled by Canadian tire fiberglass kits. They use a very low quality glue. G-flex prices vary greatly. Best price I found online was at aircraftspruce. There's a boat shop at 350 Queens Quay that I used to get my g-flex a few years ago.
 
TkiTom said:
The ABS cement didn't work on my test. But MadMike's solution is working like a miracle. I'm taking it slowly so I don't make any errors. I'll post pics once completed.
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I trust you're wearing gloves. As a general rule anything that evaporates quickly off your skin is likely not good for you. Acetone is definately one of them.
 
timtune said:
I trust you're wearing gloves. As a general rule anything that evaporates quickly off your skin is likely not good for you. Acetone is definately one of them.
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Hey Timtune. Maybe we should have a Health And Safety forum for these sorts of things?
I'm working in my garage or a ventilated room. The acetone ate through my ‘chemical safe’ gloves. The acetone I'm using is in a squeeze bottle with a small hole for dispensing into the glass jar. I'm using long popsicle sticks to stir and spread the mixture. I leave the room with the exhaust fan running while the stuff sets. I'm using the fan and a mask while sanding and a damp cloth to clean up the dust.
In all seriousness, how do you think I'm doing?
 
TkiTom said:
Hey Timtune. Maybe we should have a Health And Safety forum for these sorts of things?
I'm working in my garage or a ventilated room. The acetone ate through my ‘chemical safe’ gloves. The acetone I'm using is in a squeeze bottle with a small hole for dispensing into the glass jar. I'm using long popsicle sticks to stir and spread the mixture. I leave the room with the exhaust fan running while the stuff sets. I'm using the fan and a mask while sanding and a damp cloth to clean up the dust.
In all seriousness, how do you think I'm doing?
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It's been a while since I worked with acetone but I remember it dissolving gloves. Latex is no good and nitrile is good or vice versa? I used to know but would need to look up the answer now.

EDIT:
How many cfm is exhaust fan? Make up air provided somehow? Makeup air and exhaust fan oriented to keep you in a flow of fresh air?
 
TkiTom said:
Hey Timtune. Maybe we should have a Health And Safety forum for these sorts of things?
I'm working in my garage or a ventilated room. The acetone ate through my ‘chemical safe’ gloves. The acetone I'm using is in a squeeze bottle with a small hole for dispensing into the glass jar. I'm using long popsicle sticks to stir and spread the mixture. I leave the room with the exhaust fan running while the stuff sets. I'm using the fan and a mask while sanding and a damp cloth to clean up the dust.
In all seriousness, how do you think I'm doing?
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I would be working outside, with a mask, safety glasses, and gloves at all times.
Some chemicals will mess with your eyes, lungs and skin, even with indoor ventilation.

Edit: Not to mention the mess it could make of the floor/carpet. My wife would kill me.
 
TkiTom said:
Hey Timtune. Maybe we should have a Health And Safety forum for these sorts of things?
I'm working in my garage or a ventilated room. The acetone ate through my ‘chemical safe’ gloves. The acetone I'm using is in a squeeze bottle with a small hole for dispensing into the glass jar. I'm using long popsicle sticks to stir and spread the mixture. I leave the room with the exhaust fan running while the stuff sets. I'm using the fan and a mask while sanding and a damp cloth to clean up the dust.
In all seriousness, how do you think I'm doing?
Click to expand...
Awesome. I often don't wear the gloves I said you should.
 
I worked with acetone (no gloves mask or ventilation) from 1973 to 1988. And later used a mixture of equal parts acetone toluene and iso alcohol i think. Nasty stuff. I'm 68, so far so good.
 
Have you considered taking it to a shop that actually does plastic welding? There are bunches of them around my area (KW).
 
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