body repair

[teeko]

I am trying to figure out what material my old argo is made of. I had a few cracks in areas which I ended up fiberglassing. I don't know if it is HDPE because a plastic welder didn't work. The plastic just curled and turned brown. It became very pliable but didn't actually melt. I have welded dirt bike fenders the same way with very different results. I have also tried the heat gun trick to remove oxidation. Again, this did not work at all. Did ARGO use a different plastic in the late 60's or early 70's? Maybe between the fiberglass and HDPE bodies? Or is it possible that the plastic is just so old and UV damaged that the characteristics are all different. The plastic seems very brittle and I worry that if I hit a stump or slide over a rock, that the body will just shatter.

[amphibious drew]

Im not an argo guy and have no idea what plastics they used. That being said. If there is an oxidated part of the body and you rub acetone on it and it removes the oxidation then you are dealing with abs not hdpe. If acetone has no effect then it is hdpe. Never done the plastic welding, but I have had real good luck making abs goo and patching my colt concoction (abs body). If it is hdpe, plastic welding is the way to go. The fiberglass will not last over time nomatter the material. Hdpe will let go of it naturally, and abs will hold until there are weather changes. Fiberglass and abs expand and contract at different rates causing seperation from repairs. Racerone3 has used a thin abs goo and fiberglass matting to help solve the expansion contraction problem while gaining extra reinforcment to the damaged area.

[North Country Tough]

Teeko tell me this is it the upper or lower body you have cracks in.

[teeko]

Both. I have a crack at the bottom right corner by the axle. I think a previous owner hit something hard because it is a home made axle as well. There are small hairline cracks in the upper where the plastic has tight bends like the back corners and around the headlights. Nothing huge, I just want to fix it right.

[North Country Tough]

Both. I have a crack at the bottom right corner by the axle. I think a previous owner hit something hard because it is a home made axle as well. There are small hairline cracks in the upper where the plastic has tight bends like the back corners and around the headlights. Nothing huge, I just want to fix it right.

They did not change the plastic much since yours was built other than a few more additives that came along for UV protection its likely that the age of the plastic has more to do with it than any thing,I see your in Burlington not far from me,PM me when you get a chance I got something you might have some interest in.N.C.T