Argo 6x6 body repair for first time owner

[Barely]

1st time owner of a 1986 argo 6x6 needing some help with body repair. I believe that mine is HDPE polyethylene because cleaning the shell with acetone does not affect the body shell.

Basically, I've got some left over bolt holes that need to be filled as well as a 4" circle that needs to be filled from the prior owner's homebuilt rollcage. The rollcage is damaged beyond repair and was a poor design.

What I "think" that I need are 2 items. I need a flat section that I can cut to fit the hole and then plastic weld. Also, I need some HDPE sticks for welding. I would prefer that both the sticks and the repair piece be green to match my argo shell. Is there anywhere where I can purchase both of these materials?

I've heard that spray-on bed liners are not "slick" and prevent the argo from sliding across objects. Has anyone found a possible alternative. I've completely tore this argo down for a ground up rebuild, but the body is in rough shape and needs some TLC. I've even considered painting so that the efforts/money spent on the internals don't have to exist in a shell in this condition.

Thanks...

[amphibious drew]

Welcome Barely,

You have done your homework and are correct on all accounts. Paint is a very very temporary "fix" for hdpe. You best bet is to post a want ad for scrap hdpe from your machine on the site, and maybe even search the forums for people getting rid of old scrap bodies. Then, after you get the amount you need, spend the time and plastic weld it all back together right. Do inside and outside. You can actually use an old body to cut rod out of so it all looks pretty. Another trick is to smooth over the weld with an old flat iron, hot of course. By the way, welcome to the forum. Don't be afraid to ask questions, but as you have found, most things have already been covered.

[Rory_mcw]

Welcome to the forum, where are you from?
I have body parts if you need pieces for welding however I am in Scotland.

Rory

[thebuggyman1]

Plastic welding is an acquired skill, I have done it with good luck, and with bad luck. I have all but given up on trying anymore because any weld must be tested for strength, and it's very frustrating to think you have a good weld, then pull the patch right off.

I have had good luck with this product, but the adhesion IS dependent on the prep work.

http://www.westsystem.com/ss/michigan-chainsaw-kayak-massacre/

http://www.westsystem.com/ss/g-flex-epoxy/

[mudbug3]

[QUOTE=thebuggyman1;150641]Plastic welding is an acquired skill, I have done it with good luck, and with bad luck. I have all but given up on trying anymore because any weld must be tested for strength, and it's very frustrating to think you have a good weld, then pull the patch right off.

Yes, I'm very sure that this is true, but I commend you for the great work that you did on your Max II.

[Barely]

Welcome Barely,

You have done your homework and are correct on all accounts. Paint is a very very temporary "fix" for hdpe. You best bet is to post a want ad for scrap hdpe from your machine on the site, and maybe even search the forums for people getting rid of old scrap bodies. Then, after you get the amount you need, spend the time and plastic weld it all back together right. Do inside and outside. You can actually use an old body to cut rod out of so it all looks pretty. Another trick is to smooth over the weld with an old flat iron, hot of course. By the way, welcome to the forum. Don't be afraid to ask questions, but as you have found, most things have already been covered.

Thanks.. I'll get a post out on the want ads in the next few minutes...

Welcome to the forum, where are you from?
I have body parts if you need pieces for welding however I am in Scotland.

Rory

Thanks Rory for the offer. I'm in North Carolina, USA so let me see if I can locate someone a little closer through the want ads before we chat about shipping from Scotland. Thanks again...

Plastic welding is an acquired skill, I have done it with good luck, and with bad luck. I have all but given up on trying anymore because any weld must be tested for strength, and it's very frustrating to think you have a good weld, then pull the patch right off.

I have had good luck with this product, but the adhesion IS dependent on the prep work.
WEST SYSTEM | Plastic Boat Repair - Kayak Massacre

WEST SYSTEM | Specialty Epoxies - G/flex

That G-Flex product is pretty impressive from the pictures. I just wish that there was a proven method to tint the color to match my argo shell. This products makes me still wonder whether some of the new plastic spray paints would hold up well enough on the HDPE shell and the G-Flex to suit me.

[amphibious drew]

That G-Flex product is pretty impressive from the pictures. I just wish that there was a proven method to tint the color to match my argo shell. This products makes me still wonder whether some of the new plastic spray paints would hold up well enough on the HDPE shell and the G-Flex to suit me.

I doubt any spray paint will work still. The product buggyman used required a flame treatment to modify the hdpe's chem makeup and allow the product to stick.

[Toys4Me]

Something I haven't seen many people do is vinyl wrap the bodies. It holds up very well and sticks to anything. Just thought I would mention it to anyone that is doing extensive body repair and is thinking of painting it.

[Barely]

I doubt any spray paint will work still. The product buggyman used required a flame treatment to modify the hdpe's chem makeup and allow the product to stick.

Ahh.. Didn't know about modifying the chem makeup to make it work. Still, something for me to further research, but thank you for the detail...

Something I haven't seen many people do is vinyl wrap the bodies. It holds up very well and sticks to anything. Just thought I would mention it to anyone that is doing extensive body repair and is thinking of painting it.

I thought about the vinyl wrap, but seems like the edges would give up rather quickly since it's not an entirely smooth surface.

Anyone found a spray or roll-on bed-liner material that will stick to the HDPE. I've read that some are not "slick" enough to allow the vehicle to slide across objects, but do they hold up well on the HDPE. I ask becuase it may be something that I would only do on the top shell, so I'd be more concerned with adhesion to HDPE and not necessarily the ability to slide across objects.

I've used two different name brands of roll-on bed-lineral paint to cover utility trailers, and both of them are definitely NOT slick. I think that the material is perfect for a trailer that sits outside all of the time, but I can definitely see where it's not the best for the lower shell of a 6x6.

FYI, I hate to seem so concerned about making this thing "look" good, but understand that I live in a more urban area so this will mainly be a head-turner for people that have never seen one.

[amphibious drew]

It's a no go on the bed liner too. Argo actually uses a wrap for its factory camo machines though.

[Barely]

It's a no go on the bed liner too. Argo actually uses a wrap for its factory camo machines though.

Really!!! I was not aware of that...

Guess that put's the wrap back on my option list as a possibility for the top shell. Thanks...

[rodp]

Do you know what brand / type number of vinyl they use ? I had quite a bit to do with wrapping a while back and different makes have entirely different attributes.

[rodp]

Anyone ? No-one know what they use ?