Tailgate Trim Panel Cracked (Reinforcement Ideas Needed)

[swshawaii]

Helping a friend move a heavy glass showcase and a leg cracked the discontinued cover. I will repair the crack from the bottom with ABS cement. Removed the panel to find no support underneath. Don't want to use a piece of plywood as a solution. Any thoughts of using closed cell polyethylene foam blocks used for packing or similar to reinforce? Do NOT want to use use messy styrofoam or liquid expansion foam sealant such as Great Stuff.

 

[sr139fox]

If it is ABS plastic. Acetone will work as a solvent. You can also use ABS cement from a plumbing store. Find some ABS plastic from a plumbing store drain pipe. Shave some off to use as filller. Grind a grove in the back side. Cement and fill grove. I have used fiberglass as reinforcement on the back of my motorcycle panels for years.
Dave P.

 

[swshawaii]

Thanks for the advice sr139fox. IIRC, the plastic code on the panel was PP/EPDM meaning a mix polypropylene and rubber.
Would acetone or ABS cement work, or is there a more specific cement or bonding adhesive? I'm more concerned with supporting underneath the panel so it doesn't split completely when there's weight on it. I can't sit on the cracked spot without it flexing.

 

[mrbrett]

Worst case scenario could be to make a panel to cover the holes, then Line-X the tailgate?

 

[swshawaii]

Trim panel is in pretty good shape aside from fractures on both ends. I'll find some foam blocks to stuff under the holes. Thanks.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

I would just get some sheet metal, cut it to size to cover the holes on the tailgate and use either self tappers to screw them on or a good adhesive.

 

[swshawaii]

Good idea, thought about that too. Issue is the panel has raised channels that fit in the holes for rigidity and strength,
as seen in the second pic. No reason I can't shave them off to sit flush. Now I'm over thinking this. Decisions, decisions. LOL

 

[429CJ-3X2]

To fix the crack, you can use super glue and baking soda. Immediately after applying the super glue, cover it with baking soda. The repair will be stronger than the original material. A friend who had a vinyl repair business taught me this trick, and it works great on brittle plastics like door panels. I used this technique to repair several '70s F-150 door panels. Should work here too.

You might look at the home improvement stores for thin styrofoam insulation sheets to fill the space behind the panel - if they sell insulation in Hawaii! Or they might have sheets of plastic, probably 2'x3'. They come in various types of plastic, some rigid and some flexible, and various thicknesses.

 

[Kjhadfield]

That super glue and baking soda, is that for all types of plastic/vinyl? That is very interesting, I will have to play around with that

 

[429CJ-3X2]

I don't know if it works on soft upholstery vinyl, but it definitely works on hard plastics. You want to use it on the back side because it will be white, and you want to be absolutely sure the pieces are exactly where you want them. There's no adjusting once you've applied the baking soda. I've only had a couple of times where I had to redo it because it just didn't take. Don't know why.

My friend first used this technique on a rear speaker grille that was cracked. He kind of slopped it on figuring to drill the holes out afterward. Couldn't drill through the glue/baking soda. This stuff dries hard.