Fiberglass fairing and panels repair

[Guest byekryam]

Hey All,

 

Just thinking ahead, is there anyone in NJ who does fairing/panel repair? What's an idea of cost? I have some cracks in the main fairing by where your knees would be, and I have some tabs broken off some of the body panels (maybe just replacing the body parts might be more cost effective, not sure if I can find a unblemished whole front fairing). Thinking whether to plan to do some repairs over the winter and this is not my fortay. She's got a hundred and eight on her, but she runs strong. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Woody

1988 Venture

[Venturous Randy]

Woody, there are several ways to repair the plastic. I have had good luck with the Plastic Weld epoxy and also with the glue you use on ABS piping (brain fart on name). If it is done right, it will be as strong as ever and it is not hard to do. I'm sure there will be others that will chime in with good advice and this is easily doable.

RandyA

[Flyinfool]

First off there are no fiberglass panels on a first gen, they are all ABS plastic. This is actually a good thing, ABS is easier to repair than fiberglass.

 

I have had great results using some ABS sheet from the hobby shop and scraps from where I work, to replace missing parts and putting it all together with pipe cement from the hardware store. If an area cracked once I put a piece of fiberglass cloth over the crack on the back side to reinforce the area. The cloth is applied using the same pipe cement. I have never had a repair fail.

[tz89]

Youtube has a number of videos on abs plastic welding, repairing and even rebuilding the plastic tabs. They are worth a few minutes of your time.

 

In some they use a cheap wood burning iron to tack broken cracks together. They show using sticks of abs to weld cracks together. And they show using store bought or home made abs 'putty' to fill a mold (and how to make that mold).

 

I've only worked on nicks and cracks. My brother bought a sheet of abs and made a fairing tab and welded it on - it held.

 

For some of the pieces though you should look on ebay for replacements which even if not perfect or the right color may be a better starting place. There are lots because so many years are interchangeable.

 

If it makes sense take everything off (take pictures), fix (take pictures), repaint and put her back together.

 

Can't wait to see the results!

[Guest byekryam]

Thanks guys, I did not know this was another material. Thanks for the education. I will check out the youtube videos. I will also try and find the smaller panels on ebay. I don't think I will find a whole unblemished fairing. This is something I'm contimplating for the winter if it's one like last year. Guess I have my work cut out ahead of me. If I do, I'll take lots of photos.

[Eck]

Embed a piece of screen in your repair over the damaged area, (from the side not seen).

It sure strengthens the repair..