Each year thousands of plastic automotive parts can be repaired profitably rather than be replaced. There has been a stigma in the automotive repair industry that plastic car parts are not repairable and can only be replaced once they are damaged. While this might have been true many years ago, recent developments in repair materials and processes have made it simpler to choose repairing over replacement.
In the past, not only were some of the repair procedures very cumbersome, but the type of plastic material had to be correctly identified in order to determine which repair product to use on the damaged part. The technician had to ascertain if the plastic material was flexible or semi-flexible, rigid or semi-rigid – and often a consensus could not be reached among several technicians. Adding to this challenge was the lack of any useful repair products for plastic parts.
Repair vs. replace
Enter a new era of repair products – adhesives specifically formulated for repairing bumpers, bumper tabs, emblems, headlamp modules, grilles, cladding and door trims. Now, the technician just chooses among a few products and only needs to know that the part is plastic – not the type of plastic material. Repairing a damaged car part is as simple as identifying the damaged part and choosing a repair adhesive.
The question of “repair vs. replace” can be profitably answered by using repair adhesives. Almost any plastic part can be effectively repaired with an adhesive. When used properly, adhesives will repair a part to “like new condition” – rendering the repaired section as good as new.
Some of the points to consider when deciding on repair vs. replace include: cost of the new part, time and labor for repairing the broken part, age of the vehicle, and the manufacturer and model of the vehicle. For a very simple repair on a less expensive vehicle it might be worth it to replace the part. If the replacement procedure involves excessive disassembly work, it might also be more beneficial to use a repair adhesive. Customer satisfaction is always of prime importance and the customer should be reassured that a good, reliable repair can be made with quality repair adhesives.
Do It once
While making repairs with adhesives is relatively simple, it is important to understand the product being used and to carefully follow instructions to guarantee optimal results. Profitability comes from doing repairs properly – the first time. A good rule to follow is – “slow down to go faster!” You only want to make a repair once – there is no profit gained in having to redo a repair – especially since the second repair might have to be done free-of-charge to gain customer satisfaction. Spend the time needed to make the repair properly and be sure to follow the procedures recommended by the adhesive supplier.
Here are some guidelines to follow when using adhesives to guarantee successful repairs:
Prepare:
- Surface preparation – clean the front and back of the surface using the recommended cleaner
- Backing patch – a backing patch is required if the damage penetrates through the part, such as a bumper cover
- Sanding – for certain repairs use a sander or sandpaper to prepare the surface for proper adhesion
Apply:
- Surface modifier or adhesion promoter – use the recommended surface modifier or adhesion promoter before applying the adhesive
- Equal mix – two component adhesives require leveling of the plungers. Typically, a bead of adhesive should be dispensed through the mixer before it is applied to the repair area.
Finish:
- Curing times – follow the manufacturer’s suggested curing times to guarantee optimal repair adhesion. In some instances, parts may require clamping or taping during the curing process, or the use of a heat gun.
- Sanding – follow the manufacturer’s recommended sand times to finish sand the adhesive.
Timing is crucial
One of the biggest failure situations that occur in the automotive repair industry is not allowing the proper time for each procedure to reach its finishing point, before moving to the next step. This is where “slow down to go faster” can make a difference in the final outcome. Make sure that cleaning solvents and surface modifiers are allowed to dry for the recommended time. Rushing these procedures or steps may result in failure. If the repair adhesives are applied before the proper drying time is reached, the adhesive may not hold and the repair may fail.
Respect the written cure times before sanding or other finishing procedures. Do not rely on observation to determine if the adhesive is cured. Follow the recommended curing time before handling or completing work on the repaired part. When using primer or paint, follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions for proper use.
Structural vs. cosmetic repairs
An automotive technician must decide if a damaged part requires a structural or a cosmetic repair. Appearance is one of the big determining factors when considering structural vs. cosmetic repairs. A structural repair is usually warranted when a part is broken off from another section, such as a headlamp mounting tab or torn bumper tab. A repair adhesive may be used to bond the part together. For example, if the bumper cover is torn through (punctured) this is a structural repair requiring a backing patch. If the bumper cover sustained scratches only on the surface, this is a cosmetic repair requiring proper preparation, filling, sanding and repainting. Parts such as bumper tabs and headlamp-mounting tabs can be easily repaired with adhesives.
Bottom-to-top repairs
When used properly, some manufacturers’ repair adhesives carry a lifetime warranty. Repairing plastic car parts is both practical and profitable, and will garner customer satisfaction. It is crucial, though, to respect each adhesive manufacturer’s product line to guarantee the best results. Do not combine repair products from different suppliers; they could be chemically incompatible and compromise the outcome of the repair or cause harm to repair personnel. Use the complete product line of repair products recommended from the repair product manufacturer. Not doing so could negate the warranty. Always stay within one manufacturer’s process – bottom-to-top – from surface preparation to final finishing.
Repair adhesives, specifically formulated for plastic components, are an ideal method for making sturdy repairs that also will increase the profitability of a repair shop. In the “repair vs. replace” question, repair adhesives can be the answer to making simple repairs that will assure customer satisfaction.
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