Fab Question

**blackcobra487** · 06-08-2008, 02:11 AM

Ok, I just finished my first install and the piece I made began to crack, big time. It's an 03 Accord, and I mounted the screen where the center vents used to be. Similar to this guys:
[media]http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/attachments/fabrication/45958d1193886835-2003-honda-accord-carputer-fab-pics-08-16-07_1149.jpg[/media]

Now it's practically falling apart. My question is, if I get it to hold together, can I just cover the mold with some cloth and fiberglass it? This would keep me from starting over and would keep it looking the same since I was quite happy with it. Does anyone think this would be a bad idea? I feel like it would use my current mold as a mold for the fiberglass, but I've never worked with this stuff before.

**2k1Toaster** · 06-08-2008, 02:20 AM

Please tell me you didnt make the structure out of bondo...

What did you use?

**blackcobra487** · 06-08-2008, 02:30 AM

I made a "frame" out of JB weld and plexi glass, thinking that would be a fairly strong base. I knew not to make it entirely from Bondo. I did use Bondo to make the curves of the final shape.

Edit: Surprisingly, It's not the spots where the Bondo is that's cracking. It's the corners where the Plexi glass is held with JB Weld. I'm having a hard time believing this stuff can fix an engine block if it can't hold 2 piece of plastic together.

**2k1Toaster** · 06-08-2008, 02:48 AM

were they different types of plastic?

anyways, you say you put it where the vents were. Did you plug those vents or is there constantly varying temperatured air blowing accross it? I dont see a problem unless you are cranking the AC though, but it could be a problem if the variations in temperature vary too greatly.

**blackcobra487** · 06-08-2008, 07:54 AM

The plexi glass was all cut from the same piece, so no it was the same plastic. But where the plexi meets the old dash piece seems to hold very strong.
Yeah, the vents are plugged.

**blackcobra487** · 06-10-2008, 12:46 AM

I was also thinking of maybe melting the plexi glass together somehow. I would guess a plastic welder would work, but I don't own one.

I'm also thinking of somehow redoing the corners (which is where it's cracking) to have more JB weld there.

**rdholtz** · 06-10-2008, 07:08 AM

Is it cracking because the JB Weld epoxy isn't gripping the plexiglass? If that's the case, you might try drilling holes in plexi so the JB Weld can go all the way through it and form bars that lock them together.

**blackcobra487** · 06-10-2008, 12:01 PM

Never thought of anything like that. Sounds like a good idea. I'll give it a try.

**Nexson** · 06-10-2008, 12:09 PM

I dont know why you used JB weld on plastic

**monkeyracer** · 06-10-2008, 12:32 PM

he probably read this:

JB Weld Website

Originally Posted by JB WELD

What does it bond to?

Virtually any combination of iron, steel, copper, aluminum, brass, bronze, pewter, porcelain, ceramic, marble, glass, PVC & ABS, concrete, fiberglass, wood, fabric, paper -- just about any porous and non-porous material.

And thought that it would bond well.

Plexi is a hard material to use with those kind of products. ABS would have been better. A better solution would be an epoxy made to use with the plexi.