Cracked side fairing repair.

[ST1100TX]

The ST that I bought has a badly cracked left side fairing. I've prepped the crack areas on the backside of the fairing and cleaned them with acetone.

I'm planning to repair it with Plast-Aid, but wondered if anyone has a better method.

 

[Paul]

People have good results with superglue and baking soda. Calling @Uncle Phil

 

[Ron]

Maybe a piece of window screen (fiberglass or metal) to add some strength?

 

[W0QNX]

Like Paul said, @Uncle Phil has done this a few dozen times!

 

[Willsmotorcycle]

I have used JB Weld 50139 for "stationary repairs", you will be removing yours here and again, I might go for something like this:

Amazon.com

 

[kiltman]

I have used JB Weld 50139 for "stationary repairs", you will be removing yours here and again, I might go for something like this:

Amazon.com

I have used this item, and I highly recommend it. I use painters tape on the good side to hold the pieces together, once the repair is complete remove the tape.
Practice first on a piece of plastic as the staples get hot really fast and can easily melt all the way through the ABS plastic. It doesn’t take long to master the right amount time for the staple to melt in. When you release the trigger hold the gun as still as you can to allow the staple to cool before removing it.

 

[ST1100TX]

Maybe a piece of window screen (fiberglass or metal) to add some strength?

Not a bad idea.

 

[ST1100TX]

I have used this item, and I highly recommend it. I use painters tape on the good side to hold the pieces together, once the repair is complete remove the tape.
Practice first on a piece of plastic as the staples get hot really fast and can easily melt all the way through the ABS plastic. It doesn’t take long to master the right amount time for the staple to melt in. When you release the trigger hold the gun as still as you can to allow the staple to cool before removing it.

I've seen this, but wasn't exactly sure how it worked. Is there any part of the staple that sticks up and needs to be clipped?

 

[kiltman]

I've seen this, but wasn't exactly sure how it worked. Is there any part of the staple that sticks up and needs to be clipped?

Yes. Most of the welding kits have side cutters included in the kit. For larger holes you can melt in a screen( supplied in the kit, you cut to size). Then with the special welding tip attached you can cover the screen by melting the supplied plastic rod onto the screen. You can sand the repair, apply glazing putty to prepare for paint.

 

[Uncle Phil]

Super glue gel and good old Arm & Hammer baking soda.
Glue it together, make sure it is where it needs to be then dump the baking soda over the glued bits.
Let it set for a few minutes and you will be surprised how sturdy the bond is (comes from the RC airplane folks).

 

[ST1100TX]

Super glue gel and good old Arm & Hammer baking soda.
Glue it together, make sure it is where it needs to be then dump the baking soda over the glued bits.
Let it set for a few minutes and you will be surprised how sturdy the bond is (comes from the RC airplane folks).

I'm a bit confused.

Let's say I've taped over the crack on the painted side of the fairing in order to stabilize that area and keep any adhesive from escaping through the crack and on to the paint.

I then turn the part over to apply adhesive to the surface of the crack since I can't apply any adhesive into the crack itself anymore since it's taped shut.

Are you saying to apply the super glue gel over the crack, bridging it, and apply the baking soda to that glue?

 

[motornut]

I have just repaired a broken fairing for a friend, I have in the past used the screen and a heavy filler glue method, have not done the baking soda method. all of these work great on cracks I am sure. It seems like anybody who rides a long time sooner or later has a cracked fairing and finds ways to fix it that work great'
I have just picked up some filler that is sandable and is laced with fiberglass. I grooved the outside a bit and filled and sanded the outside and put a layer on the inside that met the outside, the tabs are the worst part. Used super glue, Q bond i have to look up the baking soda method and the heat with filler.

 

[St-Gerard]

I have used JB Weld Plastic Bonder and a paper clip on the holding tabs ,still attached after two years of riding and maintenance.

 

[St-Gerard]

Forgot to mention, tape the shiny side of the crack as it does sand but is much tuffer than the plastic

 

[Uncle Phil]

I'm a bit confused.

Let's say I've taped over the crack on the painted side of the fairing in order to stabilize that area and keep any adhesive from escaping through the crack and on to the paint.

I then turn the part over to apply adhesive to the surface of the crack since I can't apply any adhesive into the crack itself anymore since it's taped shut.

Are you saying to apply the super glue gel over the crack, bridging it, and apply the baking soda to that glue?

Yes, I've done that - you definitely want to do it on the inside as it is not pretty unless you want to do a lot of sanding.
To bridge the crack you would want to lay down a pretty thick layer of glue across it.
I have 'fixed' mirror covers that have had a notch cut out for the police light brackets using this method with a 'new' piece of plastic cut to fit.
I've also put back the side panel prongs that have broken off using this method.

 

[St-Gerard]

Have used Uncle Phil's method as well , much faster. Have not tested which is strong .

 

[ST1100TX]

This is the repair so far. I used Plast-Aid since that's what I have on hand. I'll experiment later with the other methods outlined and appreciate all the tips.

I still have to mix up some more Plast-Aid in order to fill some gaps but have to wait until the current repairs dry. It supposedly only takes 10 minutes for the Plast-Aid to harden, but I have not found that to be the case. I wait for hours just to make sure the repair is adequately hard.

I really like the idea of including a screen or woven fabric in the repair, but didn't have anything on hand that would have sufficed. Next time.

I prepped the area to be repaired very well and wiped it down with acetone prior to applying the Plast-Aid. Let's hope the Plast-Aid holds.

 

[Uncle Phil]

FWIW, the repair would have been basically the same with Super Glue and baking soda.
One of the nice things about Super Glue and baking soda is that you can usually find it in most stores.
That comes in handy when you are on the road ...

Uncle Phil - West 2009 Day 05

Uncle Phil - Ireland 2010 Day 04

Uncle Phil - Alaska 2023 Day 17

 

[ST1100TX]

FWIW, the repair would have been basically the same with Super Glue and baking soda.

That's good to know! Thanks! That also explains how I would apply it over the crack since I had questions about that. I will definitely try that method on some other cracks in the future.

I read that I'd only need a little baking soda to make the super glue gel method work. Does it matter or can I just apply it liberally and dust the residual off after it sets up?

 

[JohnK]

I have just repaired a broken fairing for a friend, I have in the past used the screen and a heavy filler glue method, have not done the baking soda method. all of these work great on cracks I am sure. It seems like anybody who rides a long time sooner or later has a cracked fairing and finds ways to fix it that work great'
I have just picked up some filler that is sandable and is laced with fiberglass. I grooved the outside a bit and filled and sanded the outside and put a layer on the inside that met the outside, the tabs are the worst part. Used super glue, Q bond i have to look up the baking soda method and the heat with filler.

Post a pic - I’m anxious to see how it came out!