ABS Body Work

[Cyriak]

I did some research on the type of plastic used on the Body of my 6x6, and I believe it to be ABS. It this a fact? I have a plastic Welding kit I will use, unless I have better suggestions.
Also, anyone know where I can find the Rubber slip-on trim that fits on the edges of the plastic? So far I haven't been able to find any parts for the body. I can refab the frame if I need, it is the nit-picky stuff is sometimes hard to find it seems.

[racerone3]

your best bet for ABS is to find some donor ABS in the same color. cut it into small pieces and put them in a quart paint can with acetone. mine took about a week to make an abs paste... just keep adding ABS or acetone to get the thickness you want and mix it daily. once the paste is ready, brush the acetone on the body all around the area to be repaired. try to keep it wet for about half an hour. then work the ABS goo into the repair area like bondo. it will dry hard to touch in a few hours but takes a few weeks to really cure. try to apply it in thin coats so it doesn't bubble as the acetone evaporates from the plastic. once it dries out real good you can sand it down and the color match will be pretty close

[doccerny]

If ya use MEK... Methy Ethyl Ketone and plastic shavings it ought to melt and make a glue overnight. You can buy MEK by the quart at home depot in the paint dept. Ide start with a full can of shavings and add a 1/4 can of MEK .It should start melting in a few min. MIX and mix and mix. then put a lid on it good. It will smell like pvc pipe glue. Flammable till dry!

[Cyriak]

Helpfull

Thanks guys. Very helpful.

[jpmustblaze]

Plastic

I thought Hustlers were either HDPE or fiberglass. Mine is HDPE not ABS. I am using a plastic welder and it seems stronger than the original plastic around it. Just my two cents.

[Cyriak]

I thought Hustlers were either HDPE or fiberglass. Mine is HDPE not ABS. I am using a plastic welder and it seems stronger than the original plastic around it. Just my two cents.

Hmm. I know its not Fiberglass. It is a 1969 though, I sure thought it was ABS. Any way to know for sure?

[LarryW]

To find out if it is abs,put a drop of acetone in a spot that wont matter and it will soften it up alittle and get kinda sticky if abs. If it is a poly body then it wont do a thing to it. What is your machine?

[LarryW]

What is your machine?

I didnt see your avatar said hustler.

If you dont have acetone your wife fingernail polish remover will work for the test.

[ygmir]

I've done a fair amount of welding on my Hustler, posted some pics, etc in the gallery.
It should be HDPE if a Hustler........if so, welding is really your only good option.
I'm told the best material for welding repairs to HDPE is uncolored material, like, a coffee can lid. opaque, not clear.
The colors, some more that other, can interfere somewhat with welding adhesion.......Although, I've had fine success, I was told this by and expert.

good luck,
Henry

[jpmustblaze]

ABS

Great advise here. The acetone test works, I know the manual that came with my plastic welder said to burn the material to test the plastic. Certain smells and color of flame will tell you what the material is, but I know for sure now my Hustler is HDPE.

[Cyriak]

ABS

The Acetone does soften it, and it should burn blue if its ABS, which it has.
But its odd that a Hustler would have ABS, but now I know that mine sure does. Perhaps becuase it is so old (1969).

Thanks for the help guys, now I can get to welding.

[Cyriak]

I've done a fair amount of welding on my Hustler, posted some pics, etc in the gallery.
It should be HDPE if a Hustler........if so, welding is really your only good option.
I'm told the best material for welding repairs to HDPE is uncolored material, like, a coffee can lid. opaque, not clear.
The colors, some more that other, can interfere somewhat with welding adhesion.......Although, I've had fine success, I was told this by and expert.

good luck,
Henry

It turns out you were right. The body of my Hustler is in fact HDPE. The piece i tested was a from a sheet of black plastic that was bolted to the bottom and back of the front seat, in a weird mod done by the prevous owner.

Here is my question though. I have got some HDPE & ABS stock, in their natural colours. Ill be patching holes, welding cracks, and doing some other mods.. What do you normally use to get the repairs to a colour close to what your welding? This case, Olive Drab & Black. I know paint doesn't stick well to HDPE. Ive got some big gaps to fill, and I am not keen on having a bunch of white repair evidence.

[6X6]

Hmm, the HDPE you intend to use is uncolored or pure white? I do know that RIT clothing dye will dye MOST plastics (I've done it quite a bit), but I am not sure on HDPE, although it's nothing a little test won't determine. I DO NOT KNOW if it will affect the welding or not. I would expect not, but check with someone with experience first, or do a test dyed and undyed and compare carefully. Maybe a lot of work, but also maybe will lead to a nice color match. (Once you find the closest color dye, you lighten or darken the color by dyeing time. Less=lighter, more=darker) OH, MESSY! Figure everything around the dying process will be ruined so old clothes, old container, something disposable for dying (kiddie pool is great for large items, but since it will get wrecked, use the neighbors), nothing of ANY value ANYWHERE near the operation. OUTDOORS (the vapor can dye objects, when I was a bit younger, my mom came home one day to find the smoke hood over the stove had mysteriously turned red )for heating, preferably a camp stove you don't care about changing the color of, etc....

[Cyriak]

6x6,

I have uncoloured and white HDPE stock I'll be using for the repairs.
I'll definitely test out the RIT on some of that stubborn HDPE. Thats a good idea.
I was reading last night about Kylon Fusion spray paint for plastics, and It bonds to PE, but the surface of HDPE is a bit different than that of PE, so I dont know about that. Plus, they dont sell it in Olive Drab.
Thanks for the info.

[6X6]

Cyriak: The biggest difference between the dye and paint (Assuming that the paint does adhere well) is that the pain will still scratch off, the dye is in the plastic so scratches don't change the color, only DEEP gouges will remove the color. (If you don't already know, RIT can be bough at most supermarkets, and of course craft stores.)