Solvent adhesives... why don't more people use them?

**coachreed** · 03-14-2005, 07:35 PM

I have been planning my carputer for a LOOOOOOOOOOONG time now and have just been to lazy to get started... well, tonight I started my fabrication and was wondering why more people don't use solvents and solvent adhesives instead of the usual bondo, fiberglass and whatnot...

Basically, I took my Xenarc front housing, gutted it, sanded the paint off it, cut my dash so the housing fit nicely in place, sanded the paint and finish off of it... then I mixed chunks of ABS plastic in a condiment bottle with Acetone (MEK works too) to make an ABS sludge. I slipped the housing into place, used masking tape to close off the holes in the rear where the housing and dash meet together, and then squirted my ABS sludge into the gaps and space. I expect the plastic will cure by tomorrow afternoon at which time I can do a prelimiary grinding and sanding and then put more of the sludge in the low spots. It should only take a couple apps and it will be done.

With the solvent adhesives, you are chemically bonding the two parts together so there is no chance of it cracking apart whereas over time, bondo will eventually crack (I have experienced this plenty!)... so I'm wondering why more people don't use these solvents instead of bondo. IMO, its even less of a mess as well as a more permanent solution. And don't get my wrong, I'm not hacking on the many people who choose fiberglass and bondo as their medium... just curious.

BTW, I'll post picture in the next day or two of my dash work...

TTYL!

**jaded_gti** · 03-15-2005, 12:39 AM

this sounds really interesting, get some step by step pics!

**Squid** · 03-15-2005, 01:10 AM

I've never even heard you could do that...... I'd like to learn more about that... more info please

**jweler** · 03-15-2005, 07:46 AM

In short, because I've been using bondo for years, and I've developed a high degree of comfort with it.

Other than making an order from McMaster or Grainger, where would one get this plastic stuff. And what exactly should I order? I get the jist of what you're talking about, but what exactly are you using?

and does it come in different tints? could I potentially match my OEM tan interior without resorting to paint.

**Altimat** · 03-15-2005, 08:40 AM

ABS solvent adhesive is available in any plumbing supply department. I have some and experimented a little, buts its stinky and messy. Epoxy seems easier to use, but I never tried making a "sludge." Let us know how it turns out and post pics!

**Squid** · 03-15-2005, 02:08 PM

Ah yes.. Plumbing adhesive... now I gotcha... But he said Acetone... didn't
think that would "dissolve" abs plastic... hmm... I gotta find that old chemistry set ..lol..

**DeltaFX** · 03-15-2005, 02:10 PM

Acetone gluing is used in RC-modelism. Old Lego (ABS) pieces are perfect. ANd color can be tweaked

Acetone is useful to thin epoxy glue too, to reinforce balsa, or mdf edges.

**galpd320** · 03-15-2005, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by coachreed

With the solvent adhesives, you are chemically bonding the two parts together so there is no chance of it cracking apart whereas over time, bondo will eventually crack (I have experienced this plenty

I was assuming that using body filler (Bondo) in small amounts to fill the low spots and using 'glass and resin for the majority of the work, then there shouldn't be any problems. Am I wrong in thinking this? Will the tiny amounts of Bondo crack in the filled low spots? Is the ABS/Acetone method used in only small gaps?

**gizak** · 03-15-2005, 02:43 PM

Interesting, I'd be interested to learn more about this too. Exact product names or a link to some other how-to with good information and pictures. I just ordered my xenarc so I'm going to need to figure out what to use to fabricate fast!

**Squid** · 03-15-2005, 02:54 PM

Okay now I'm getting confused again.. As far as I know.. Acetone is a solvent that
doesn't harden.. (i.e. fingernail polish remover) It has no use in R/C building... what
your referring to is CA glue (Cyanoacrylate) which does hardern. It does not noticably
dissolve plastics as you are gluing said plastics together... Superglue basically.

I know the standard uses of Acetone... just never realized it would dissolve plastic...
especially cause I've probably wiped down many surfaces with it removing
super glue residues or sticker residues... and never ended up with a plastic puddle!

So where you at CoachReed.. lay the info on us