Fix Broken Plastic With A ZIP TIE And FIRE!

[@charlespratt8663]

Good video. I've done this myself after watching this. One comment as noted below is groove out the cracked area for a better fill. I'd also clean the part well and drill a 1/8th inch hole in the end of the crack to stop it spreading further.

[@luisp1174]

Great tip, I've had these annoying plastic parts breaking and they were to expensive or unavailable to replace. I plan on giving this a shot the next time it happens. Thanks for posting and sharing.

[@MattsShop]

Yup, these big plastic parts are expensive to replace, but are nearly free to fix.

[@krystalwithak00]

I fixed the dash in my 1st Gen lightning with a soldering iron and the tops off of sharpies, then sanded smooth and repainted. It's been almost 5 years and still holding strong.

[@MattsShop]

Awesome! Never thought about it, but that is a great source of filler plastic.

[@JT_70]

You can also repair and build up most plastics with super glue and baking soda. It’s amazing how hard the repair becomes.

[@thehatedclown5453]

I use that trick when the need arises

[@gunner678]

Yes it's an excellent solution. Instant and tough!

[@preacher1775]

Great idea! I watched several videos on this, and this one is the best one!

[@happycat0411]

Great video! It's always good to know new and inexpensive ways to weld plastics. New ABS plastic parts aren't cheap these days and since no one really sees the part anyways, it doesn't matter if the repair looks like crap or not, as long as the repair is solid and durable!

[@MattsShop]

Well said!

[@ntt2232]

Great share- Don’t let perfect be the enemy of done!

[@MattsShop]

I'm a perfectionist...sometimes!

[@steveoutdoorsuk1788]

@@MattsShop You're always the same sometimes. 😂 Thanks for sharing Matt. Awesome channel, just subbed! Take care mate. Atb, Steve.👍👍

[@barry-cq4xg]

Neat stuff. Beats buying a new part at eyewartering prices!

[@MattsShop]

I does! I do this on a lot of plastic parts!

[@jimmyneal1988]

Great idea! You could also get some different grits of sandpaper if you wanted to make a perfect fix for something that was more visible.

[@nowonmetube]

I read that the material of those zip ties is polyamide 6.6 - like nylon. I found when burnt: _Fumes from melted nylon are safe enough. It’s a polyamide, consisting only of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. The fumes aren’t toxic, but if they irritate your throat and lungs by all means use a ventilator, even if it’s just a fan to blow the fumes away from you._ _Burning nylon may produce hazardous smoke containing CN (cyanide) radicals. PVC is another common plastic where you need to avoid breathing the fumes, which contain hydrogen chloride. Smoke from burning PVC wire insulation in house fires is sometimes fatal._

[@transam8607]

I think this can be a perfect fix once you develop skills at it and also know what grade plastic to use i love this idea and a zip tie would definitely work with most repairs

[@MattsShop]

Yea! The best thing would be to have a bunch of different types of plastic welding rods.

[@nowonmetube]

It didn't work 😑

[@Engineerboy100]

Sweet! That was pretty cool. I'm gonna be fixing a car part so I'm gonna be more careful so that it looks nice, but yeah, very nice tip, Thanks.

[@MattsShop]

Give it a shot! You're welcome.

[@rickfox9989]

Ive used a barbie leg once as filler and it worked great, felt bad telling my daughter i havent seen it but...she had a couple in my garage that i kept tripping over so no limbs on her left side anymore. So somewhere out there is a kfx 400 with barbie skin crack repairs on front right fender

[@MattsShop]

Hahaha this is a great story. I would do the exact same thing.

[@brianbeck3077]

Fantastic video. Way to go sir!

[@MattsShop]

Thanks man

[@williamedwards7315]

I know a lot of tricks man but this is awesome I'm going to use this the rest of my life I really wish I knew this before with all the work I've done

[@MattsShop]

Thanks!

[@dangerdavefreestyle]

dang, i thought i was the only one who knew the zip tie trick. i dont even use a soldering iron. i heat the plastic first with the blow torch, then i light the zip tie on fire and allow it to drip into the crack. the liquid super hot dripping zip tie melts its way into the crack real nice.

[@MattsShop]

I thought I was the only one who knew the zip tie trick too. I need to try it your way sometime.

[@blcdad]

Very cool dude! I never even thought of doing this!

[@rpvespa]

I say Thank God for Matt. Cheers.

[@johnmclaren7059]

You can use the heavy duty zip ties they are thicker and wider and also use a micro butane torch , easier to handle! Great video tho 👍

[@MattsShop]

Good idea!

[@mikeashely8198]

I like that idea since that Parts on the bottom of the vehicle it doesn't have to look brand new

[@MattsShop]

Exactly!!

[@blcdad]

I'm going to go out in my shop and break some plastic and try this out!

[@MattsShop]

Try it out. It'll come in handy when you need it.

[@brandonbelongstocharlottef1798]

Plastics can be sanded to a pretty nice appearing finish and also primed and painted if a cosmetic part 👍

[@scotsnead8972]

Fixed some cracks in my garbage can with plastic from a 5 gallon bucket (hdpe) and a torch. Hold the piece over the Crack (with pliers) and heat both surfaces at the same time with torch. apply when melted.

[@MattsShop]

Awesome, HDPE is one of the best and easiest to fix.

[@markhamze154]

I use stainless steel insect mesh! i Weld it in with a soldering iron and the welded area is very strong. I weld Bumpa bar and every thing.

[@MattsShop]

This is a great idea, someone else said this too!

[@alfredomarquez9777]

I have done it but with Fiberglass cloth, like that used by model airplane builders, the trick is to completely melt the plastic over the cloth reinforcement, someones use a hot air gun with a slender nozzle to direct the heat into the area...

[@bgregg55]

I haven't gotten into plastic welding but JB Weld works well too.

[@MattsShop]

I love plastic welding at this point. It costs nothing.

[@tobygathergood4990]

Nice work! May I suggest that the crack should be grooved a little to facilitate the filler plastic, just like when one metal welds something together. It would also be better if you made it so the part you are fixing doesn't keep sliding away from you. As for a torch I use a micro torch....way more controllable.

[@carlosmejia5728]

He said exactly the same .... you Just didn't pay attention.

[@tobygathergood4990]

@@carlosmejia5728 Could be, I didn't hear that.

[@mind.your.own.beeswax5416]

There’s always one like Carlos in every comment section

[@matthewturgeon767]

You should've added wire mesh to reinforce the weld

[@MattsShop]

It's a great idea!

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

1/2 rebar would make it even stronger.

[@IllusiveChristie]

They also make plastic weld rod that melts better, but you can use almost any plastic. I've used milk bottles in a pinch. Also if its clean(no oil) the plastic likes to sticks together better.

[@MattsShop]

I have never used those rods. I have used milk jug peices before. They work awesome.

[@gunner678]

Great idea Matt, thanks! I'm repairing a Mercedes ML presently and there is a lot of damaged plastic.

[@MattsShop]

Those parts are expensive!

[@georgecurtis6463]

Mb plastic must still be the same then. Gets brittle and breaks. Good luck with wasting your time. Once you charge for fixing it and it breaks again, you own it forever. If it's your own car, good luck !

[@alfredomarquez9777]

I find it annoying that many European plastic parts are crap: they seem to get "old" and then crack. Not only AUDI, Mercedes and VW, BUT my Sennheiser headphone's headband practically disintegrated itself... One of two things: a) they use the worst plastic resins, or; they are soooo concerned (Obsessed) with "Eco-Phanathism", that they look to make their stuff with (bio)degradable plastic... in any case, their plastics stink!

[@KenUngaro]

Very very cool Matt!! A little sand paper and you're set.

[@MattsShop]

Thanks Ken!!!

[@thumperbangin2000]

Fine job gona do this on my cars bumper, its got a couple small breaks.

[@MattsShop]

Should work on that black bumper plastic. You're going to have to sand it down though. This is strong, but not pretty lol.

[@thumperbangin2000]

I ended up just replacing the whole bumper cover. And ended up getting it for free because they folded the ends in during shipment. I lucked out !

[@TheLoneRanger1992]

Dude Manbro I have a broken tab hole on my bumper due to reversing over a kerb and it being pulled forward do you think if I did this an made the tab back up it would be strong enough to hold the screw in it to hold the bumper up?

[@thumperbangin2000]

@@TheLoneRanger1992 no idea, give it a try. i never ended up using this repair method. see my comment above.

[@JackofAllTrades1]

“It’s not going anywhere” the moment everybody knew for sure it was fixed. 😂

[@MattsShop]

I just wanted to make sure you knew 🤣

[@Peter-976]

You should rough up the area with emory cloth or sandpaper for a better bond with the ziptie

[@MattsShop]

Yea, I agree.

[@Kab0oze]

That wouldn't make any difference here. For certain glues/plastic combos absolutely, but for thermoplastic (what this is) that is physically being melted back together with a blowtorch, it's not going to make any difference at all.

[@GoCoyote]

Best of hill billy repair! Thank you! Looking to fix a couple of stripped out holes in my old Husqvarna 40 chainsaw.

[@neddavidage5533]

You should also drill an 1/8” hole at the end of the cracks it will keep them from continuing to crack later

[@MattsShop]

Great Idea.

[@tomshiba51]

I really enjoy finding out that I already have the materials to do this in our home. Now I won't have to purchase and mix some plastic-bonding epoxy to do the same thing.

[@MattsShop]

Yea! The plastic bonding epoxy is WEAK! This is the best way by far I have found to fix broken plastic!

[@theintruder77]

Why was the entire plastic part not scrubbed and cleaned before starting the repair process? I hate repairing things like this unless it is near to new clean before starting the work. After the repair we clean the part to near new appearance. Cleaning does find possible other flaws that may need repair as well.

[@MattsShop]

Waste of time. It goes on the bottom of an ATV. It's a plastic skid plate. I pressure washed the whole thing when I got it lol

[@roberttill3787]

The method shown is good, but the type of plastic the zip tie is may well be incompatible with the workpiece. It needs to be the same type of plastic as the ziptie. If it isnt it may look fine when first repaired, but if the plastic is incompatible the break will open up again.

[@MattsShop]

You are right! Some plastics are completely un-weldable too. You just gotta play with it until you get it welded back.

[@chasstiles7611]

You can always stitch with zip ties

[@roberttill3787]

@@chasstiles7611 Yes i have done that too. You can make a very tidy looking job using the teeny tiny ones

[@HMaxTube11]

Melt in a paper clip or 2 for xtra reinforcement across crack

[@MattsShop]

Nicee idea!

[@yardlimit8695]

nice video ,,,,,,,,,a simple quick fix that makes sense.........thanks.

[@rich10849]

Good ol' glue gun works good on plastic. Even the flexible type.

[@larrygrisham6719]

Good job. Smart idea.

[@MattsShop]

Thanks!

[@thecollisiontechnician9212]

Great Technique!

[@MattsShop]

Thank you!

[@chriscornford2689]

Fantastic loved it well done I like it Chris cornford have a bit of this to do cheers

[@MattsShop]

Thanks 👍

[@williamwhite1596]

Good idea ! Thanks God Bless !!!

[@MattsShop]

You're welcome!

[@TheFiredragon52]

To reinforce with length of stainless steel mesh for greater strength from underneath side

[@MattsShop]

Good idea. You can melt some mesh in there to get extra strength.

[@E85_STI]

I do this but with the plastic welding gun that uses those staples.

[@MattsShop]

They work well!

[@ronniejohnson317]

The plastic truck seals are better than zip ties. I have used those , in a tight, to fix water pipes.

[@leone3144]

I cracked some plastic thats quite thick a week ago and now theres a hole thats about a centimetre wide, you think this will work? Forgot to mention its gotta be able to hold a bunch of water

[@MattsShop]

You can plastic weld water tanks. I wouldn't use a zip tie though. You probably need real plastic welding rods or donor material.

[@leone3144]

@@MattsShop alright thanks

[@robertoaguilar9784]

Great video, man. Thanks

[@mac.jenkin]

Super helpful, thank you!

[@MattsShop]

You're welcome!

[@jadentheogbackup9630]

Will it work with a plastic fork and a lighter. A bic lighter

[@MattsShop]

Maybe, if you can get it to melt good enough. Not going to be pretty though lol.

[@jadentheogbackup9630]

@@MattsShop ok xd

[@joneich1591]

Worked perfectly.. Awesome vid

[@MattsShop]

Awesome!

[@FIXDIY]

Featured idea

[@Sharla236]

Good job👍🏻Thanks for the tip👌

[@MattsShop]

👍🏼

[@donwagster]

Worked for me , thanks!

[@MattsShop]

Great!

[@adamknox8416]

What's the tensile strength of that bond? Lol. Seriously though, how durable do you think that is going to be, have you any exp. with impact post repair? What are the results?

[@MattsShop]

Lol it's just a plastic engine cover. It doesn't have to be strong. It's going to last for years. No I have no experience with that method of repairing plastics.

[@alfredomarquez9777]

IT DEPENDS... if the plastic part edge if thick enough, and the repair is done by filling a groove, it can be quite strong. NEVER as strong as the original part, but strong enough to endure normal handling. If more strength is needed, placing some reinforcing strips of fiberglass cloth throughly wet with the molten plastic will add considerable strenght, but demand the use of a hot air gun with regulable temperature. I have seen (and tested) some plastified canvas tarps joined with hot air and pressed with a hand roller: Perfectly strong joints.

[@bladermusics]

If the plastic melts with acetone then it's abs. ( usually used in 3d printing)

[@MattsShop]

Good to know

[@alfredomarquez9777]

Good comment. I would suggest searching the web to know about simple ways to identify the type of plastic.

[@micc.8780]

Will it work on a broken office chair leg?

[@MattsShop]

Maybe, depends what type of plastic it is.

[@TheFloatingSheep]

Office chairs are usually made of Polypropylene, the like... white transparent zip ties are made of nylon but the black ones like the one in the video are also Polypropylene, so as long as you have some black zip ties it'll definitely work

[@User-fm4ec]

@@TheFloatingSheep I’ve been looking for blue zip ties for my raptor 660 but all of them are nylon . So nylon wouldn’t work?

[@TheFloatingSheep]

@@User-fm4ec I don't think it would, you usually want to be working with the same type of plastic, that way all properties match and you've got the best chance of it not breaking Even then uneven cooling speed between the original plastic and the welded part is gonna result in some stresses in the plastic but it's as good as it'll get without packing the part in sand and heating it in a kiln, material sciences are a hell of a thing If you've got access to ordering from eBay or Amazon I recommend looking for "PP (Polypropylene) plastic welding rods". They sell them for this exact purpose. If you don't have access to that another thing you can use is the lid off a tupperware box, maybe use a pair of scissors to cut some strips of it, alternatively though harder to use, the little lids off of PET bottles are also made of PP. In either of this cases you wanna look for a recycling symbol that either says PP or 5 (recycling number of PP), on the inside of the lid or bottom of the tupperware, occasionally they're made of different materials.

[@chrisparker4940]

I like this but what’s the advantage of this over using JB Plastic Weld to hold back together?

[@MattsShop]

Plastic epoxies are weak and break. This fuses the plastic back together. It's much stronger and lasts forever if done right.

[@gergemall]

Good job

[@MattsShop]

Thanks

[@g8beast679]

I'm gonna try this on the dishwasher with a hole in the tub.

[@MattsShop]

Let us know

[@officialmysteriousrider6327]

Super glue & baking then rubb it down & use black plastic paint to finish off

[@jimtwisted1984]

I like your style man you are getting a like and subscribe from me.

[@MattsShop]

Thanks!

[@scrapenbass493]

2:36 doin it and doin it and doin good🤣

[@newttella1043]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@charlesdickens6706]

......a lot of plastic breaks these days . It depends on the country where it's manufactured .

[@MattsShop]

This is Japanese plastic!

[@alfredomarquez9777]

@@MattsShop I find Kapanese plastics to be way more durable and free from becoming cracked than any European plastic... just read about the trashy MB, AUDI or VW plastic instrument panels and dashes. My own Sennheiser headphone's headband is completely cracked, and was NEVER abused.. it cracked by itself after a few years of gentle use!

[@okrambo]

awesome tip right here . thanks!

[@novideoscorp]

Doesnt plastic ruin the soldering iron and what about plastic fumes, dont they have carcinogens?

[@MattsShop]

Nahh, you can just peel the plastic off the tip once it hardens. Never breathe those fumes!!

[@novideoscorp]

@@MattsShop fuck i breathed in, for about solid 20 minutes, how many cigarettes does that count to? man i never smoked in my life, until now...

[@mygt8a4re]

@@novideoscorp You should really go to the hospital and get checked for cancer bro! No seriously, it's not good for you at all, the fumes from the melted plastic are very toxic. I wouldn't overly stress about it, just be more prepared next time around man.

[@larryvercher9809]

@@mygt8a4re DOA

[@Slo-ryde]

Wear a mask with carbon filters at all times

[@swagnutz8189]

I got some headphones with a crack right on the top but I have no soldering iron any thing else that I can use?

[@baka1984]

Use your mom's iron.

[@MattsShop]

Good idea!

[@l31007]

You can buy a soldering iron for $5 at Harbor Freight or an actual plastic welding tool for $17 at Harbor Freight.

[@MattsShop]

Yea they do. I still want to try out one of those legit plastic welders.

[@soupbums]

Acetone small bottle Put the acetone in the bottle then put the zip tie in let it melt then brush it on

[@mattedwards4533]

You can build the plastic up just a little and after it is allowed to cool you can sand it down? No one but you will ever know it was cracked.

[@MattsShop]

Pretty much! It's hard to get the finish 100% sometimes though.

[@thepitpatrol]

Very nice

[@suijin1463]

Actually you can use, Resin and Fiber sheet to re Fabricate it.

[@MattsShop]

That's a good way too. Not pretty though...

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

The whole purpose of the video is to use what is around the house. It's not about resin and fiber sheets.

[@williamwallace7986]

Resin doesn’t “bond” to plastic. It sticks but with any movement or force, the resin and fiberglass can peel right off the plastic. Sanding it helps but it really doesn’t form a bond. At least this is from my experience and I just did a bunch of it. Most turned out fine but some are already seperating.

[@alfredomarquez9777]

@@williamwallace7986 The better way to do it, is to get some strips of fiberglass cloth, embedding it into the molten plastic, and adding more molten plastic over the joint. That is done with a hot air gun, but a small butane torch can be used as well. Very strong if done correctly. Many electric tools have Fiberglass reinforced plastic bodies.

[@williamwallace7986]

@@alfredomarquez9777 that actually makes more sense. Just as long as the same types of plastic is used would also be something to be mindful of. One thing I’m wondering ( I’m sure I’ll find out when I try) using melted plastic instead of resin, will the fiberglass cloth also blend/melt with the plastic like how you see it does with resin. I’ve always felt that this bonding property between resin and fiberglass cloth was a key factor towards the strength and integrity of fiberglass.

[@CeltecInstitute]

impressive. i think electronics repair people can use hot air blower gun. comment on this.

[@MattsShop]

You can. I used to do it that way, but I like to do the torch better.

[@westleywest7259]

Nice...

[@mtnfreestyle1899]

Be sure to use a mask to not inhale the fumes

[@exsquidd1]

Thank you

[@MattsShop]

You're welcome:)

[@DIY-Bri]

Thanks!

[@MattsShop]

You bet!

[@jaysonnewman2070]

Most Zip ties are nylon and you’re not using the same plastic soil never old do you have to use the same plastics when welding

[@MattsShop]

Yea, it will work a little bit better with the same type plastic.

[@moboutmen]

Used to do this to cracked wiffle balls.

[@seaperu1]

never throw away your cut off excess from zip ties again

[@MattsShop]

Exactly!

[@boashna]

Bravo

[@MattsShop]

Touche

[@georgecurtis6463]

Plastic diff shield? Why ?

[@MattsShop]

That's what they put on them stock.

[@georgecurtis6463]

@@MattsShop and again, why ?

[@MattsShop]

Cheap and bare minimum to make it look protected, and protect against random sticks lol. Don't ask me...

[@georgecurtis6463]

@@MattsShop could save themselves all that trouble if they just made the diff out of plastic !

[@MPGunther1]

Nice

[@gwlilly5786]

Hint... Clean your plastic 1st !

[@MattsShop]

It helps!

[@BWater-yq3jx]

Plastic diff-cover? Think I'd just leave it off...

[@MattsShop]

Nahh, it actually helps

[@tcap7917]

like with all "welding" clean the are first

[@manolitomunoz9458]

Good idea. Cost less! Some finishing touches would do looks good. 👍

[@MattsShop]

Right on

[@peterdavies8307]

It’s a Macgyverism.

[@MattsShop]

Pretty much.

[@Jason75913]

awesome!

[@MattsShop]

You are!

[@nowthenad3286]

Please weigh down the piece so it doesn't move every time you put the soldering iron on it.

[@MattsShop]

Good idea!

[@Believe30]

Wondering if a hot glue stick would work...

[@MattsShop]

No! It will burn into a nasty mess!

[@Believe30]

@@MattsShop OK thank you.

[@GENESUTUBE69]

COOL

[@rmee5165]

try washing the dirt off first

[@tonymak9213]

soLdering, the word has an "L" in the middle.

[@MattsShop]

In the US we say "sodder". Especially in the South.

[@TheBsavage]

You almost know something about working with plastic. You can't just use a zip tie to weld any plastic. It has to be the same kind of plastic. Different plastics work differently. Some will readily self-weld, some won't. Some become liquid with almost no intermediate soft stage. Some become brittle when heated, & some can be heated, welded, & joined over and over. Some release toxic gases, some don't. There are dozens of plastics in common use and each one has dramatically different characteristics. I won't go into an exhaustive description of each, but go ahead & try your non-working zip-tie technique on Nylon vs. Acrylic. vs polystyrene vs. PVC vs. polypropylene vs. polyethylene vs. bakelite vs. polycarbonate vs. Melamine and tell me how similar they are and how well your zip-tie welding technique DOESN'T work. I work with plastic all the time and I would never put together such a misleading instructional video. This welding technique *can* work in some situations with some plastics, but the variability is high. I.E. "you're results may vary." And by "may" I mean "will." ALSO a torch is a TERRIBLE tool. It may be better than a soldering iron, but that isn't saying much. For working on small projects like what you show, BY FAR the BEST tool is a butane heat gun. Nothing else even comes close. Cheers, & thanks for the video.

[@MattsShop]

Thanks for the info. It's not that big a deal. If the ziptie doesn't work people can find a scrap piece of the same plastic and use that as a filler rod.

[@TheBsavage]

@@MattsShop Like I'm trying to say, it is highly variable depending upon the plastic. Some are real forgiving. The car panel you were working on appeared to be forgiving plastic. But some are a nightmare, & some you can't effectively weld with ANYTHING. Silicone, for example. Acrylic too, is hard to work with welding-wise. Actually, there's a bunch. The most forgiving I've found is the plastic shop-vacs are made out of. That stuff is BEAUTIFUL. Melts, remelts, welds, is very forgiving. Just a joy. I can't stress it enough, though, get yourself a butane heat gun. They're less than $20, & if you work with plastics more than just once or twice, you'll find your work is much easier to perform, & the results are much more professional. Regular heat guns won't do it because they force air out with a fan which can mess up the work tremendously. Regular torches, like the one you mentioned favoring, tend to light stuff on fire rather than heat it to melting. Now sometimes you want that, but more often than not you don't. Your soldering iron technique isn't that bad, and for certain work could be a wonderful alternative. I've just found after all these years of working with plastics, mostly doing repairs & fabrication, the lowly butane heat-gun is the go-to tool. You can fix a scuffed car bumper with just that heat gun and no other tools or supplies. I've done it more than once on different cars. Each type of plastic has it's proper use, but only a few weld well. Cheers.

[@grumpystruckshop3807]

Solllllllldering iron,

[@sdqsdq6274]

hmm , isnt the same type of plastic is needed to bond them ? or just random

[@MattsShop]

Yes! It has to be a similar type of plastic. Preferably the exact same type of plastic. It can be a real challenge to figure out though.

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

Yeah, let's send the plastic over to a laboratory to analyze it. Or you can just try the zip tie and see if it works.

[@ggj666]

A plastic diff cover, I wonder what genius came up with that stupid idea

[@MattsShop]

It helps more than you think I guess...

[@grahamowen1570]

easy, an accountant ;)