Okay, not about our sailboat, but our little Contour Cadet paddleboat (made by Contour Plastitech Products in Ontario, Canada) fell over during the winter storage and has a crack in the polyethylene thermoplastic hull. Before trying to repair I wanted to get some advice from the rest of you experts out there. The hull is sealed so I can't get to the inside and must do all repair from outside. I'm thinking fiberglass won't adhere (right/wrong?) and need to try using some type of cement such as a MEK (methyl ethyl ketone) or methylene chloride acrylic. My XYL will greatly appreciate your help in getting her little paddleboat seaworthy (and watertight) again. Thanks in advance. G.Carlson, Medford, Wisconsin.
Repairing cracks in polyethylene hull
- Thread starter Jwudgy
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Can't glue, only weld
I have had great experience with different plastics, and in my old lab days, used to make things out of polyethylene. Polycarbonate can't be heat bent or welded, vinyl can be "cemented" but polytheylense can be heated bent and welded. No glue will stick. There are probably plastic welders out there, but you could try yourself (at own risk). You can practice with some bits of PE tubing or old PE bottles. I used to use PE plastic pipettes as "welding sticks". ALW
I have had great experience with different plastics, and in my old lab days, used to make things out of polyethylene. Polycarbonate can't be heat bent or welded, vinyl can be "cemented" but polytheylense can be heated bent and welded. No glue will stick. There are probably plastic welders out there, but you could try yourself (at own risk). You can practice with some bits of PE tubing or old PE bottles. I used to use PE plastic pipettes as "welding sticks". ALW
Plastic welder source
Harbor Freight sells 'Plastic Welders'. They work as-is but a litlle modifying helps. Do a search, they have a site, as well as a zillion stores.
Harbor Freight sells 'Plastic Welders'. They work as-is but a litlle modifying helps. Do a search, they have a site, as well as a zillion stores.
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