Plastic Hull Repair

[Maggster]

Hey guys, I found a Traxxas Villain IV cheap on CL. It was almost ready to run, but I did add water cooling, a 2.4 radio, and a waterproof EVX2 from my Emaxx (water cooled also). The first time we had it on the water I let my 11 year old nephew "race" the pontoon and he ran it between the pontoons. I don't blame him for it, but it basically shattered the hatch, part of the upper hull, and put two small cracks in the lower hull. If I can't glue it back together well enough to keep water out, is it worth putting money into this? I thought about buying a new EX hull and transferring all my hardware over, but I would have more money into that than I did buying this boat in the first place. And then I end up with a plastic boat, which I know most of you don't have a high opinion of.

Anyway, just looking for tips right now. We are doing some major remodeling on our house this summer, so I don't have an excess of expendable income.

Sorry for the book.

[Tamelesstgr]

Pictures would be helpful, but ABS is a little different animal when it comes to repairs. Prep and the right epoxy are key.

[Maggster]

I thought that I should have taken pics as I was typing. I'll take some when I get home from work. Thanks for the reply.

[martin]

The best glue for sticking or repairing abs plastic & most other plastics including wood & metal is Devcon Plastic weld available from hobby stores or Ebay. Most epoxy glues are not that brilliant on abs although it will stick, the Devcon is excellent on plastics.

[NativePaul]

I would say not epoxy at all, Stabalit express or Uhu plus acrylit work well on ABS, or if you have all the pieces an ABS solvent to weld it up is better than any glue.

If you have kids or are one, melting a lego brick in acetone and using that will work, use a thin liquid to glue, or a thick paste as a filler. Filing/sanding the brick into powder or cutting it onto chips will get it to disolve quicker.

[martin]

Paul the Plastic Weld is Devcons version of Stabalitt Express but much cheaper at around £7, Stabalitt is so expensive now not that it was ever cheap.

[NativePaul]

Yes Martin, we were posting at the same time I didn't see yours, the Uhu I mentioned is a cheaper version of stabilit too, same tube and powder combo, £8.50 from my local model shop.

[Maggster]

Pics. In looking closer at it, I think I can get it functional again without too much effort. I am not overly concerned about the appearance. The thing I am most concerned about is the seal between the lower and upper hulls. Any advice?

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/Maggsters_pics/Traxxas%20Villain/20160502_190437%20Medium_zpsknc4zbe4.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/Maggsters_pics/Traxxas%20Villain/20160502_190422%20Medium_zpstmhutr50.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/Maggsters_pics/Traxxas%20Villain/20160502_190413%20Medium_zps2p4ebkdq.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/Maggsters_pics/Traxxas%20Villain/20160502_190543%20Medium_zpsdxgdqrbb.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/Maggsters_pics/Traxxas%20Villain/20160502_190511%20Medium_zpsxfou0ozx.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/Maggsters_pics/Traxxas%20Villain/20160502_190501%20Medium_zps2wq5sbuy.jpg

[Beaux]

I used Loctite Epoxy plastic bonder for abs and other plastic from lowes It stuck good to a mad shake of my grand sons. 20 min. set time and sandable, good luck.