Blasted a hole in my fishtrap, repair advice?

[maddawg53]

Sometime over the weekend I cracked a hole in my fishtrap sled. It's in the leading edge when towing so it plows (even more than usual) and fills the sled with snow. Anyone have this happen and any advice on a repair method? I was gonna try to do something with figerglass but I am afraid it will just break free in the cold.

[snoozebutton]

Maybe a piece of plastic, some pop rivets, and silicone.

[Phred52]

You could see if a local auto body shop welds plastic. Quite often they stock some sheets of plastic so they can make repairs. Phred52

[croixflats]

I wish I could remeber what this stuff I had was called. It was an 2 part epoxy meant for bonding fiberglass auto panels together. I used it on everything from my snowmobile hood to sorell pack boots. Had it 13 years ago and everything I repaired is still going strong. Even putting new cracks in hood, from trees that jumped out in front of me, the bond is still good

Never lend stuff out like that, it does not come back.

Go to auto body shop and they should know what it is. Or a good auto parts store that deals in paint and repair

Sorry I was not very detailed. But tomorrow I'm going to try to find out where I got it because its great stuff to have around.

[RonWBasser]

Dyna Glass maybe?? Basically a stranded body filler.

[leech~~]

maddawg, I worked in the fiberglass biz for 20 years. Believe me, fiberglass will not bond to a plastic sled tub! You could try and find some kind of heavy plastic like a kids sled or something, and cut it up and pop rivet what you need to cover. Or find a bigger sled, which a lot are on sale this time of year and just put yours in it went towing. Cutting up a kids one and using a heat gun to reform it maybe cheaper then buying a new bigger one to ride your old one in. But I would use pop rivets with a backer washer before I would try glassing or gluing anything to the plastic which will not bond and pop off the first time your out in the cold!

[croixflats]

I garentee this stuff works on plastic. And this is not fiberglass it is only used to bond. I have used it on fiberglass, plastic and rubber. Here is a picture of a boot that was glued in 1994. Ive worn that boot since then till last year.

Leech I'm sure this epoxy is meant for many other uses than fiberglass.Rather than discounting it accept it as it may do the trick. And you maybe swaying someone from a product that may help. To me epoxing it would be better than that adding more weight with rivets and other stuff witch can snag on stuff.

The snowmobile hood I used it on did not have a fiberglass hood. The newer ones are of a composite plastic

[berke99]

croixflats- did you find or figure out the 2 part epoxy? Sounds like something I could use- on a regular basis! Thanks.

[Surface Tension]

Well when you find out the name of this product let us know.

Its going to be hard to get anything to stick to that tub material other then the same type plastic its made from. Then it'll need to be fused together. First thing that'll happen when you try that is the damaged area will grow and it'll get away from you. Get that plastic from a flying saucer, its flat with no ribs.

Heat that till very pliable then form it onto the damage area. Remember, your not trying to bond anything you just forming the patch. Once cooled drill it out for rivets. Now use that adhesive in between the patch and tube or use silicon, again not for the sticking factor but as a gasket. Then use pop rivets.

[leech~~]

croix, most of the tubs for porty sleds are made from Vacuum forming a big sheet of Polystyrene plastic. It is not porous like some rubbers like your boots maybe. All liquid glues or fiber patchs must bond by chemically etching into the plastic to bond with it. The polystyrene is a very heavy plastic and if it doesn't etch into it it will not bond and will just pop off when out in the cold banging off ice and snow. You can run a little test by putting some on the sled, putting it out in the cold for a few hours, and tapping the back of it a few times and see if it stuck! If anything try and goober some in the hole and on both sides to form more of a mechanical bond and that may hold, but I don't think you are going to get a chemical bond. But what the heck try anything! And if it doesn't work try the rivits and patch later! Good Luck with the fix. Leech~~

[croixflats]

Called the place I think I bought the stuff.

3M epoxy part# 05883 rigid parts repair kit or 3M part# 5895 flexable parts repair kit. Both are a 5 oz 2 part epoxy.

Draw back the stuff know cost $49 . And with my luck hes sold out.

Leech you may be right, For costing that much it is a big gamble.I cant say I have used it on that type of material and sled hoods are of a diffrant material.If it were me I would try it but thats me. I was excited with what I could do with this stuff and only assumed it would work on any plastic.

Great insite with your knowledge and experience.

[leech~~]

Hey croix, that's what makes this site so great! We all have worked somewhere on something and can give what part we know of it! Now just don't ask me about electronics!

[croixflats]

You got that right Leech. I wont ask about electronics of you dont, well I do know hammers dont fix the stuff.

[Dellfin]

maddawg53- It wouldn't necessarily be pretty, but cut out a couple of 1/4" plywood panels (treated?) the same size as the front of the sled (1 for the inside and the 1 for the outside with the broken plastic sandwiched in between). Drill a few holes in strategic locations along the outside edges and secure with with a dozen nuts, washers and bolts. That combination will last you a few seasons at least and shouldn't add too much weight.