[njsteve]

I am still looking for whole ones or parts to repair the plastic valance that I have for my 72 T/A if anyone has any out there for sale.

Todays' question: I am looking at using some of the modern plastic panel repair adhesives to repair the cracks in the valance and was wondering if anyone knows exactly what type of plastic these valances were made of? Is it ABS plastic or something else prehistoric. Here's a couple shots of the one I am working on at the moment. It arrived a little more broken in shipping that I expected but I have had it in my extremely expensive plastic valance repair fixture as you can see. It took years of development and millions of dollars to perfect and cannot be duplicated at any price. It actually is working great. In about three weeks it has completely pulled the edges of the crack back together.

[toomanybirds]

I believe the material is polypropylene, but am not certain of that.

I don't know of a repair adhesive for that material, but it can be plastic welded. A local body shop supply store should have a plastic welding kit for sale. It will include instructions on welding and identifying different kinds of plastic. They will also have plastic welding rods for sale.

The challenge with this material is it is very brittle. Even if you successfully repair it, it is likely to crack in a new location. Let us know how it works out.

[165th]

Steve, I checked with a couple of sources on how to repair cracks in the valance, and found what I believe is an excellent process:

The cracks should be 'welded' back together using a propane powered soldering iron.

The exhaust gas near the tip of the the soldering iron can be used to heat the parts being joined, then burn the tip of the iron into the crack making a V which is then ready to be fillet welded by working the plastic from both sides back and forth in a swirling motion. It's best to only due approximately one inch at a time as it's too hard to keep a longer portion soft and malleable.

After the two parts or crack is joined, there may be a resulting swale which can be filled by heating and melting 'spaggetti' strips of plastic from a donor piece into the swale, and then smoothing with the top with the tip of the iron.

Once complete, the entire weld can be vibratory sanded using 180 or 240 to smooth the highs/lows.

The propane powered soldering iron can be purchased from Sears or Northern.

Good luck with the surgery.
Greg

[njsteve]

The material is polyethylene, the same thing they make ATV body panels, motorcycle fenders and water tanks out of. I dealt with this place over the past few days: http://www.urethanesupply.com/index.html and they were an amazing help. I have one of their airless welders on its way along with the welding rods for the polyethylene material. (there is no adhesive known to man that will bond polyethylene -you must weld it to repair it) Another problem is that it is very difficult to get paint to adhere to polyethylene. They even had a step by step on how to do that! http://www.urethanesupply.com/atvpainting.html Great website. Now we know the reason these valances were molded in color: because there were no paints or additives to make the paint stick to them back then.

[njsteve]

If you want to follow along as I repair the valance go here: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...=1#post2718923

[eaglesan13]

What year cars came with the plastic valance? I looked at a 73 Esprite a few days ago that I might buy as a parts car and it looked like the valance was plastic. It was cracked, but I think it was all there.

[RAIVJUMB]

I haven't followed along to closely but I have one that will possibly go with my 72 if I sell it and it too needs minor repairs so I will have to study along if it doesn't sell.

[njsteve]

Originally Posted by eaglesan13

What year cars came with the plastic valance? I looked at a 73 Esprite a few days ago that I might buy as a parts car and it looked like the valance was plastic. It was cracked, but I think it was all there.

Early 72 (well they didnt make any more 1972 F-bodies after April 72 due to the strike so keep that in mind) and early 73 came with them but most were replaced under warranty after they cracked, shattered, disintegrated in the first few months of ownership.