Plastic Welding 101 [How to Plastic Weld]

[@katieharville6863]

Hi there, last year we bought a large black plastic farm tub that sold for close $350. It had been accidentally punctured by the store. They sold it to us for $50 and we were going to use it for a child pool and if that didn’t work, for a planter. I’m 69 years old woman, good crafter, and discovered plastic welding. Y’all I fixed the pool with some of the pools own plastic shavings, metal mesh, a paper clip and black zip ties with the metal welding tool. So proud of myself and we had fun in the water. Farm pool fixed and holding up extremely well. I’m particular so I worked on the fix till it even looks good inside and out. Very happy I have KZbin to learn new skills

[@fredsmith-kingofthelunatic7810]

You know a bloke is on the level when he admits he forgot his tin snips. The only thing more common than that is checking every pocket on your body for the pencil you were holding 1 min ago.... New subscriber.

[@markfryer9880]

The secret is to start looking for something else and then you find what you were looking for! Then you can yell out; Stop Looking, I’ve Found It! Workshop Custom, let’s everyone including the Gremlins know that you have found what you were looking for!

[@georgeb.wolffsohn30]

Usually it's behind my ear or just stuck in my thick curly hair.

[@fredsmith-kingofthelunatic7810]

@@georgeb.wolffsohn30 all great ideas by rub it in why don't you to those of us with thinning hair😉😆

[@georgeb.wolffsohn30]

@@fredsmith-kingofthelunatic7810 it's there because of genes. Non of my relatives died bald not on mom's side or dad's side.P.S. I'm 64.

[@fredsmith-kingofthelunatic7810]

@@georgeb.wolffsohn30 awww FAR Q. And lay the boot in when a man's down why don't you? Hahahahaha😉🤣

[@mikethespike7579]

I'm a graduate engineer with 40 years experience in the car manufacturing industry specialising in injection moulded plastic components. Nearly all plastic components on cars today are made of ABS. ABS can be glued with a 2K component glue, but this will never be as good as the way the repair job is shown in this footage. I also do my own plastic repairs but my personal choice of tools is a hot air welder, which demands a lot of practice to use properly. The transparent parts of indicator and tail lights are not ABS, these are usually made of acryl (plexiglass), which cannot be welded. To repair these one has to use glue. The best glue for this, I have found, is the cement used to put plastic models together with, such as Revel uses. The transparent plastic on headlights is usually made of a polycarbonate, the same stuff DVDs are made of. The problem with this is that it goes blind in stark sunlight because of the UV.

[@dalebettenson4619]

Good ol Revell plastic model glue you bet! It’s a solvent so the glue just melts the plastic pieces together. I built some plastic models that were indestructible (at points of contact I mean lol)

[@ProfGregTuckerKellogg]

Can polycarbonate be welded, or should it be glued?

[@mikethespike7579]

@@ProfGregTuckerKellogg I've never seen anyone weld polycarbonate, but I guess it can be some how. But it's easy to glue and done properly the seams are as strong as the parent material.

[@ProfGregTuckerKellogg]

@@mikethespike7579 Thanks! What about polystyrene? This is for a shelf inside a refrigerator door. I know methyl methylacrylate is better than ordinary superglue, but it's also hard to find. So I was thinking of adding a weld after an EA glue.

[@mikethespike7579]

@@ProfGregTuckerKellogg There are glues specially for polystyrene. Usually these are a paste offered in tubes or tubs and are used on constructions sites to cement polystyrene insulation to buildings. Important is that these glues are free of any solvent. This kind of glue though is not really practical for complex projects, such as what you describe. Here I would use either a silicone or acrylic sealant - you know the stuff sold in tubes. Strictly speaking these are not meant for this type of job, but I've used them as such without any problems. I've had the best results with acrylic sealants, this stuff rocks as a glue. I've even glued a set of hooks to a tiled wall in my kitchen which holds eight porcelain mugs and it's still holding after over 10 years. There are numerous other solvent free glues on the market that might work such as UHU's Mounting Adhesive Grizzly White, (www.amazon.de/-/en/53435-Extreme-Cartridge-Mounting-Adhesive/dp/B085CX4DH9?th=1) but I have no experience with these.

[@bishopworks3203]

Plastic welding is one of the most under appreciated repair methods out there. I've uses it for many things big and small and it's saved me a lot of time and stress, especially when some parts aren't available.

[@tarstarkusz]

Plastic welding is obsolete. Use a 3d pen. A 3d pen is basically a 3d printer in the shape of a pen and use regular 3d printer stock and use it as a pen. It is much better than plastic welding.

[@bishopworks3203]

@@tarstarkusz No, not at all. A 3D Pen doesn't melt the original material like plastic welding does. Using a 3D pen only creates a new layer of plastic that bonds the two halves.

[@tarstarkusz]

@@bishopworks3203 That strongly adhere to the original plastic in a way only plastic can. I have tried plastic "welding" many times and it really doesn't work very well, at least in my experience.

[@cerealkiller4248]

tarstarkusz What about drying times, is it pressure sensitive?? Not questioning you, just trying to learn 😁

[@tarstarkusz]

@@cerealkiller4248 It's a 3d printer you hold in your hand. There are some videos on youtube showing them. They're cheap too. I've seen them for under fifty dollars. They use the same feedstock as a 3d printer and it hardens instantly.

[@xander9460]

I'd recommend active ventilation and gas rated respirator. You know .. plastic fumes and cancer go hand in hand

[@alexandervowles3518]

Yeah exactly what I thought when I saw the video.

[@FantaSparta]

4:42

[@TheTenthLeper]

Modern person: "that's just _your_ opinion!"

[@benargee]

At the very least, don't put your face directly above the area where smoke is coming from.

[@BlastinRope]

This guy doesnt party

[@NotEvenThatsOdd]

I didn’t even know that plastic welding was a thing! As a DIYer, this speaks to me.

[@scurvofpcp]

Check out ABS slurry sometime, it has been my goto for redoing my kayaks every year. I go out on a shallow creek on the semi regular and it plays hell with the bottoms of them.

[@carlodangelo8348]

Excellent tutorial ! Thank you.

[@46god]

fr half my car about to be plastic welded together now 😂

[@whdbnrm3023]

I believe I heard President Biden say he invented plastic welding in 1725.

[@general5104]

​@@scurvofpcp Add a stainless steel keel. Let it take the punishment

[@VertebreakerX]

Great video. Most of the time when I do plastic welding I use zip ties for the filler and use steel wool because I always have those items in the garage or in my tool box.

[@ncdave4life]

Steel wool is typically oil-coated. Does the heat solve that potential problem?

[@justingould2020]

@@ncdave4life if you use a stainless steel scouring pad, you could just wash it with soap and water and use that. No corrosion issues.

[@T_bone]

@@ncdave4life or soak it in mineral spirits and let it dry.

[@sushi8204]

You are even better genius.

[@dfavilla2]

You saved me $350. I’m piecing together a car that had minor damage from hitting a pole. The headlight was $350, but I “plastic welded” the broken tabs back on and it’s as good as new. Thanks!!!

[@FernieBaby]

Absolute gem. I "stitch" my mudguards, splash shields and other plastic stuff with wires and zip ties. Your welding method is definitely the proper way.

[@squarepegroundhole8211]

@QuadFire NEX ya this is way better than the stiches I used

[@theobserver9131]

Lol! I do the same thing. Melt holes, and stitch together with wire or zip ties. I'm pretty sure that it's actually stronger, or at least as strong as embedding steel mesh. I like the steel mesh idea too, I just haven't tried it yet.

[@simon4043]

I've been plastic welding broken bits for years, but never thought of embedding stainless steel mesh. Thanks for the heads up!

[@Sarah_Swede]

Perfect video. Man doesn't sound like a girl, a drunk or a hick. Straight to the point. Information and camera shots in focus and audio is outstanding. You did it right..

[@LegendLength]

strong like ox

[@JJ-gd7gf]

Nice how-to video and tip of using a shaving of the same part. Using the same plastic type is important for adhesion

[@Murderdronesslays]

I can't tell you how many plastic car parts I have replaced because of split tabs, etc. I never even thought about welding them. Excellent info, thanks!

[@greebj]

My GF hates her side mirrors on her Mazda I don't know how many times I've put them back together lol

[@Retro_Care]

for bigger parts you can also use paper clips instead of mesh. i sometimes bend them in a zig-zag and melt it in, specially on bumbers i use paperclips or a bigger holed mesh. 3d printer filament works also as filler, you can buy them with carbon fiber in it also but thats more expensive and not needed if you brace it with mesh or other stuff :)

[@theobserver9131]

Sometimes I melt holes on both sides of the crack, and stitch it together with wire.

[@alext8828]

@@rhsper Araldite. Is that Aussie or British? I don't see that here in the US of A. Is that good stuff?

[@transatlant1c]

@@alext8828 Aussie. It’s made by a company called Selleys and is probably the most ubiquitous 2 part epoxy down here. Would be somewhat similar to JB Weld in the states I think, but I’m no expert 👍

[@TheRealSykx]

hot staplers are cheap and effective

[@TachirosLament]

underrated video right here

[@youbreakityoufixit9594]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@g-ready1887]

I agree 👍

[@steebbo9460]

That's a fact that mate you just saved me thousands too bro I'm off to buy mesh would a soldering iron work just as well???

[@youbreakityoufixit9594]

@@steebbo9460 it will for sure work. I used a soldering iron for many years.

[@steebbo9460]

@@youbreakityoufixit9594 thank you man and what an amazing guy for the reply much thanks.

[@doriang2220]

If you don't have a plastic welder you can use acetone to dissolve leftover plastic (same type of plastic as where you want to repair) and make a paste that will strongly bond the plastic together and fill in the cracks

[@gorgar6059]

Unless it is polyetylene or polypropylene. Acetone dissolves PCV, polystyrene and so.

[@RajinderYadav]

You can't control with acetone, I would not suggest it.

[@1noduncle]

Sprue glue

[@1992jamo]

@@RajinderYadav Just use model glue, which is a solvent like acetone with something to make it gloopier.

[@alext8828]

I found out that polycarbonate headlights don't like acetone very much. They get small cracks all over the place. It's true that the acetone can smooth out the surface, but it somehow moves thru the plastic and causes chaos. Just sayin'. Smoke 'em if you got 'em.

[@j.frankparnell6195]

FYI the kind of plastic for pretty much all commercial parts is stamped somewhere into the material. It is required by international laws. This does not apply to consumer plastics, however. You can then just buy rods of this plastic from Mcmaster.

[@drizler]

HArbor Freight has them as well . Better to use the scrap if you can however plastics don’t all love each other. So if it’s expensive and or has to be strong make sure you’re using matching plastic for the repair.

[@chrisbraid2907]

The Number inside the triangular recycle Logo is the number of the plastic, use the plastic with the same number as a filler …

[@uknowngamer1017]

@Andrew_koala tf?

[@surajrao2889]

You are not cheap you are frugal. Superb

[@bluestreak711]

I plastic welded a tiny vital plastic piece that held the window regulator together before I knew what plastic welding was. I did not know exactly what I needed, but I spent $20 and saved $30 and the hassle of physically removing and installing the entire regulator and instead just reassembled it. $10 of that $20 was a reusable tool. The broken round piece fit onto that $10 hole punch as a mold propping it up with vice grips. Then I used needle nose pliers to hold the donor plastic as I melted it with a plain cigarette lighter. It was a beautiful repair. Everything snapped back into place great and I no longer have any issues with that window. I also asked God to help me as I was snapping that plastic piece back into place. I have to give credit where it is due.

[@georgesalpa2476]

fantastic, thanks for the great vid. Not only did you save $100 but you saved the environment of more plastic in landfill. Great job

[@oddarneroll]

Wow, the stabiles steel mesh is the solution i have been whaiting for. Thanks

[@WhiteWolfos]

Feels like I'm watching my dad repair cars again. He also uses hot stitching or stapling on certain types of plastic repairs but I think it's not as cheap to come by. Very useful and thanks for saving people's lungs on the respiratory tip.

[@neilanyon4792]

Great video. An absolutely brilliant technique for motorcycle fairings which are not only ridiculously expensive but are made of pretty much the easiest plastic to weld. With carefully applied mesh, there is usually no need for filling with most simple cracks. Even fairly large holes can be bridged with mesh and filled/painted, , but anything over an inch or so I prefer to back the mesh with some sort of GRP reinforcement to prevent flexing and cracking. Because the GRP resin bonds mechanically to the mesh it solves the problem of how to bond filler to plastic - just make sure there is enough exposed mesh to take the filler and reinforcement.

[@joentell]

Great job! I thought you would be in the millions of subscribers based on your intro and production value.

[@youbreakityoufixit9594]

This is the best compliment I've received. Thank you! I have a ton of content in the pipe.

[@ElderBobcat]

I was thinking the same thing I subbed by a quarter into the video. Algorithm achieved Boys about to blow up

[@youbreakityoufixit9594]

@@ElderBobcat welcome aboard! And thank you.

[@heloc3]

Great stuff! An alternative is super glue + baking soda. Its rock solid on small or large repairs. No heat or toxic vapors and takes less time.

[@joeuser633]

You can also use graphite powder if your plastic is black.

[@ElBach1y]

My dad has a bodywork shop and he welds plastic quite often, especially those tabs or stuff you mentioned, I didn't even know you could weld plastic and when I saw him with the iron and some plastic I was very confused! Great video

[@bubba99009]

The stainless mesh trick is cool. Acetone also works really well on melting and joining ABS.

[@markfryer9880]

@MichaelKingsfordGray Pardon me? What are you on about?

[@squidcaps4308]

The bad thing about acetone welding is that it takes really long time to fully cure. We are talking about days and weeks depending how thick of a seam we have.

[@alext8828]

One of the very few hosts who knows to look right at the camera and not at the viewfinder. You get a like for that alone. Now you can screw up all you want. Good video, anyway.

[@nubie1100]

I melt staples into the plastic. Works for me but I think I will try mesh next time tho

[@xaenon]

I have used small nails, copper wire, and bits of paper clips.

[@sharmageddon2171]

I don't have ss mesh lying around the house and there's a lockdown so I can't go outside to buy it. Thanks for the tip about staples. Will try that

[@SI0AX]

@@sharmageddon2171 They sell that in car body repair kits in auto parts stores. I would have never thought to use this for plastic.

[@nubie1100]

@@sharmageddon2171 .. there's a lockdown?? 🤣. If the repair is out of sight I also use superglue and bicarbonate soda trick

[@siderealvision]

seems like aluminum screen mesh would work as well - any old screen door would provide a lifetime supply 😀😀😀😀

[@hal4192]

Great vid. It reminded me that my dad fixed a broken axle on a plastic covered wagon when I was a kid. ( I'm in my 60s) He used a poker which he heated in our coal fire. All the best from the UK. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@robertbennett883]

I've used aluminum window screen most of the time and made my own tips for my soldering iron from copper . And yes I've fixed tons of things like this. Like ATV fenders

[@FirstLastOne]

This video alone is worth the price of admission. Subscribed and thumbs up! 👍 THANK YOU!

[@tinkerscorner54]

I picked up the cheap plastic welder at Harbor Freight for about $16. It paid for itself on the first repair, a door panel that had been cracked in a project truck. I was also able to reconstruct the dash area that had been busted up where the radio mounted. And it really is fairly easy, if you watch what you're doing. Good video!

[@dennisprah223]

The HF is great for small projects. Becarefull on large projects . The tip starts bending when it gets excessively hot and eventually breaks. Mine did on my first project. I bought another, but limit it to small work. I bought a hot air one for bigger projects.

[@lancealderman2755]

That's all I could think about was the many door panels ive wired up and ran alternate support screws into because the tabs broke. Should have been trying to plastic weld some of it. That would be a real test.

[@pennytull7578]

Thank you I was unaware that plastics could be mended. Your are right! When you pulled out that headlight, you had my full attention.

[@kcb5336]

I’ve heard of plastic welding for years. Never tried it. Looks as easy as expected. Stealing from the original piece was very good info. Good vid.

[@Growlerinthebush]

I tried something like this in the 90's when I worked as a maintenance manager in an off road company here in the UK. we had quad bikes that were always getting the plastic wings damaged and I used mesh on the underside side then on the side that was seen you still saw the cracks but it held together. Since watching videos like this I have learnt something new and there is so many materials you can use to bridge the gap. However, I have just the same problem on my van headlight only there is a big chunk missing that snapped off years ago, so I fixed it with hot glue to get it through it's yearly Ministry of Transport test over here in the UK, now I have seen this I will have a go and give the damaged tab a more permanent repair. Thank you

[@kevinjones8496]

I'm 50 years old but today years old when I discovered plastic welding. Amazing

[@youbreakityoufixit9594]

Its a skill you'll have forever!

[@dennisprah223]

I'm 75 and first found out how last year.

[@beejay7665]

I’m 55, never heard of this until now. Thanks Jim!

[@derpapito1391]

I'm 43 and this is exactly how I've been doing it for years. Been working car body repair and custom work for over 20 years now

[@BUSTRCHERRI]

Techically it's not welding plastic. Its fusing plastic. Fusing plastic pipe is common in heavy construction. All the way up to 36" pipe from what I've seen anyways. The most ive done is 8" and it's pretty basic.

[@mentula3784]

Xmas round the corner and kids toys to inevitably repair, this video is exactly what I needed

[@bennguyen24]

Heck yea! Im now certified. Thank you for your great content.

[@petersherrouse33]

Thanks for sharing the technique I will DEFINETLY use it :-) I have done a my fair share of plastic welding and while metal reinforced stitching is superior for most applications there are others where where it isn't applicable, for instance radiator tanks and battery cases. In these cases one must fuse new material through the entire thickness of the part. To do this one must use a temperature controlled iron and get the edges of the crack through it's full thickness to the full melt temperature in order to work the filter in. A novice will attempt to smear a coat of plastic over a crack but the crack is still there and the smear won't bond to the cooler part material underneath. One tip is to use a simple light bulb dimmer (of suitable wattage) to lower the power of your welding iron. In the vid, the temp of the iron is very hot and any plastic in contact with it is getting burned instantly (and will contaminate the weld) - yet is it obviously suitable to the process you are demonstrating. Hot air guns are probably the best but the correct temp, and flow velocity and diameter make it more complex and expensive to set. Preheating the area of the part (even with a hair dryer) improves the process.

[@cerealkiller4248]

15 years ago when I was a maintenance engineer in a very large multinational company, I plastic welded a lot. Pipe leaks were a common issue, and I could temporarily drain down or isolate the pressure, quickly run a weld then the water would be back on soon. The other option would be cutting out the leak and gluing new fittings which then required hours of drying time.

[@theobserver9131]

PVC, few hours to cure? I've done a lot of PVC work, and irresponsibly turn the water on immediately, but had no problems. Now I try to wait at least a half an hour.

[@theobserver9131]

I would not trust a weld repair on plumbing. The plastic gets brittle, and is vulnerable to cracking. I think replacing it is a better idea. I am sure that you know that a water leak can cause thousands of dollars of damage. I think it's worth the time to make sure that it won't leak again.

[@cerealkiller4248]

@@theobserver9131 If we were desperate we’d use one hour drying time for every bar pressure as a guide. We’d be glueing up to 10” fitting.

[@cerealkiller4248]

@@theobserver9131 One of my colleagues had a fitting blow off, it caused a million pounds worth of damage/stoppage time. That fitting was sent off to be assessed by the glue manufacturer to confirm he’d followed procedures correctly. If not, he would have been dismissed. Welding was a very viable option to carry us over to a shutdown when a full repair could be done.

[@theobserver9131]

@@cerealkiller4248 10 inch fitting? Yeah, I've never worked on that scale! That does change things. At an average of 60 pounds per square inch, plumbing that size is dealing with pressures way beyond what I've had to deal with. I've only worked residential.

[@general5104]

THANK YOU !!! I like your content and I subscribed. I had bought a new hot-air plastic welder with attachments and my grandson hid it, when he was playing. It's been missing about 6 years. I just found it yesterday, by chance. I bought it to repair the big garbage bins, where the hinges catch hooey from the automated garbage collection trucks. My plan has always been to shave off part of the lip of the lid, so the filler plastic will match. I just happened onto your channel and liked it. It's nice to hear a voice you can understand, and it's clear, you know what you're talking about. THANK YOU !

[@boblister665]

New LED headlights are around $1,000.00 and up. This saves your customers a lot of money and makes you a hero. Thanks for posting

[@squidbert7225]

great video with enough info to be useful without being annoying. rare find these days. thank you

[@StonedMagpie]

I actually run a business plastic welding. I've customised and repaired bumpers aswell as headlights, tail lights, trim, boats and toys. There are several different types of welding and this is the easiest but most brittle way to weld. If any one is actually curious upvote and I'll make videos for fusion welding. Also the tab was only split I can show you how to reattach aswell as sand and blend by heat. Litually I can weld 80% of plastic. Also I fibreglass🤷‍♂️

[@gusstavv]

I've been using wire as the plastic rebar, but the mesh is a great idea. Also I use a temperature controlled solder so I can put it to ~260 °C and be sure I won't overheat the plastic or burn it.

[@AA-ev7rl]

This helped a lot I just started to learn plastic welding in my automotive repair school today and watching gave me a bunch of valuable info before I ever used the machine

[@youbreakityoufixit9594]

I love that you're going to school to learn a skill! Working on cars has been very fulfilling for me. Best of luck!

[@mortezanasser7858]

Good to know there was another way of welding plastic. I was using hot air method which was hard to use in tight areas and had to sand the material for good grip. Wish they made the hot tip tool you demonstrated cord less rechargeable. Thanks for sharing.

[@borther00]

Thank you. I have a Honda PC800 that has a lot of ABS plastic paneling. I've experimented with mixing Legos in 100% acetone to make a goo that then can be used to build up a missing tab or boss, for example, and that works pretty well, but time consuming to get the slurry to the right consistency. So I need to learn the welding skill too for other repairs. This video is clear, explanations are straightforward. thanks again. Best wishes.

[@tensecondbuickgn]

I can tell you as a 30+ year ASE certified master tech that super glue or gorilla glue does NOT work on today's plastics especially when they are more than cosmetic. And JB weld does work but it's time consuming. This is fantastic. Wished I thought to try this on a climate control servo arm that cost my customer $150 to replace recently.

[@youbreakityoufixit9594]

It's a really powerful skill. And, I am pretty much showing the butcher version in the video lol. Thanks for watching!

[@mannys9130]

FYI, be careful picking and choosing when and for whom you do these very in-depth, custom, "crude" repairs like the servo arm you mention. As a pro tech, you likely warranty the repairs you do just like I do. Your reputation and profit hangs on the success and durability of your repairs. If you try to plastic weld a type of plastic that's super brittle, and the car is owned by a mega-Karen who unleashes hellfire at any opportunity, you will do VERY WELL to just charge her the $150 for a brand new part and then be certain it won't break again and you won't be on the receiving end of that hellfire and Karen's angry reviews on social media. If you choose to be nice and try to save the customer that money, EVEN IF you explain that it may not be the most durable and could break again, AND you refuse warranty if the customer accepts the repair, you very well may have angry Karen come back in a fury after totally forgetting your explanation and agreement. Therefore, if the customer is a problem...no Mr. Nice Guy and no cost saving custom repairs. If the part is very hard to access and labor is pricey, no custom repairs. If the part is mission critical, no custom repairs. I will only do this type of thing for someone who I know is understanding and has a memory, and for a part that is ridiculously expensive or not available and it can be replaced with a new one quickly and therefore cheaply if the repair fails later on. If the customer comes back later and it DID fail, I'll eat the tiny labor and make them buy the expensive part.

[@tensecondbuickgn]

@@mannys9130 I mentioned I was a 30-year experienced Master tech lol. I'm well aware of the clown show that our culture has become when it comes to shared responsibility or lack thereof. I only offer these repairs independently and with customers who have gained my trust.

[@TheRealSykx]

@@mannys9130 mission critical plastic parts should be an oxymoron

[@jeepsblackpowderandlights4305]

Wanna know what other skill is good to have ? To have a respirator when youre around chemicals and grinding and cutting and welding metal or plastics and rubber ect.. Im glad you mentioned this. I hate watching videos when people cut metal and whatever on vehicles and dont wear respirators

[@aaronklein1490]

That's so awesome. I can't believe how long I've been messing around trying to figure out this skill. Thanks for this

[@youbreakityoufixit9594]

You'll have it for ever now

[@coyotech55]

This is something I haven't heard of - glad to run into this video! I've tried glues, which practically never work. No more throwing away things with broken tabs and plastic brackets.

[@FacesintheStone]

Right when you think you know how to do stuff, this guy comes along. Jim Murphy thanks!

[@rtos]

Brilliant idea! The steel mesh restores the original shear strength to the broken part.

[@craigsmith3645]

Yup! Good job! Exactly what I’ve been doing for at least 30 years now, since cars started having a lot more plastic parts. I started because I couldn’t afford it, and it seemed wasteful to throw away a part that had such a minor break. You really need to regulate the heat though, some plastic actually degrades if heated too hot, which will probably make it weaker. For $50 you can get an AC autotransformer, which will let you regulate the temperature.

[@youbreakityoufixit9594]

Thanks for that insight Craig! I'll have to look into an autotransformer. We've saved a lot of plastic from the dumpster.

[@ThePinkBinks]

Correct. Melting it at too high a temperature damages the integrity of the plastic. The quicker it can be cooled down after melting, the stronger the finished product. Often not practical but still useful to know.

[@sixoffive]

I was thinking about using a solder iron with an adjustable thermostat.

[@ericmccolough2482]

Thanks, seeing how you kept the temperature down while schmoozing the wire into the surface made my day!!!!

[@youbreakityoufixit9594]

This comment made my day!

[@turnitupmike]

Very important point about respirator filters.... protect yourself from those fumes. No point saving money by making your life shorter and sicker.

[@squidcaps4308]

Good ventilation will do a lot more, there should be a vent sucking the fumes out of the rom entirely. It has loads of microparticles that stick around for long time so it is better to just remove them completely.

[@LuvBorderCollies]

@@squidcaps4308 There's a variety of bench top exhaust fans with filters. Don't go with the cheapest. Read the feedback on Amazon. I used to work in a lab with all kinds of hazardous stuff which required different types of exhaust & filters.

[@stevecraig3004]

This is brilliant!! I wish I had found this 30 years ago!

[@Destilight]

I usually fuse bits of copper wire across the crack as stitches. Never though about using mosquito mesh and seems so much faster and easier. Pretty cool.

[@giobikefans]

My brother sent me your video last year. I had my doubts, but since getting my plastic welder I've fixed the bumper skirt on my truck, a telescope tripod, the bottom of a snowblower, one of my kids toys and a few other things. Just with the truck skirt alone it paid for itself.

[@youbreakityoufixit9594]

It's a truly powerful skill in today's plastic world. So glad you got a lot out of the video! Makes me really happy to hear this. Happy fixing!

[@keaponlaffin6737]

Awesome clip and trick. Once you've seen it, you can't unsee it, it's that simple. Thank you, new subscriber!

[@youbreakityoufixit9594]

Welcome!

[@hammy2729]

I'm new to plastic welding; it's an excellent video.

[@mrarmy300]

I've done this many times with just plastic and heat. First time I saw the idea to add some steel mesh - thanks!

[@l0I0I0I0]

Brilliant idea! Ty

[@Tommy3429]

Good video like your technique, good idea about using excess material from the part that you're working on. But, if you don't have excess material there are many types of plastics out there such as, PETE, HDPE, V, LDPE, PP, PS and there are many more. Some plastics don't work well with others so be sure to look for the marking on plastic parts to make sure that you get the right plastic filler for the part that you are repairing. Not all parts may have the markings on them. Hope this helps. God bless.

[@aus_aircon_ref_mech6671]

Probably the best ten minutes I’ve spent on KZbin 👍

[@youbreakityoufixit9594]

Thank you for that amazing compliment!

[@itsactuallybhaarat141]

Man !! You're awesome.... This is exactly what I needed. I've been trying joining plastic to plastic but didn't try the metal mesh as Bridge between surfaces. This is truly awesome.... Thanks for saving my Thousands of bucks mate

[@Dutch_Prepper]

Exactly the same here. Opened my eyes

[@slipperyjohnson7016]

I have been plastic welding for years using a soldering iron. I wanted to get some tips cuz I'm gonna do so PC modding and I wanna do a good job. I would have never thought of SS mesh. As for that headlight though, putting a washer on it then screwing it ion would have worked fine. That's just a tip for people that don't wanna plastic weld lol. Good video

[@christiantosumbung5791]

If you want filler material, get some abs 3d printing filament and you will not need to shave off anything from your original part.

[@youbreakityoufixit9594]

I'll have to try this!

[@TheBobinn]

Can confirm, this is how I fill cracks, you can have a small roll of different filaments on hand, I usually take scrap pieces from printing. Abs,PE w/e you need - usually about 20-30$ for 1kg roll of filament

[@markfryer9880]

The only thing about shaving a filler from elsewhere on the part is that you then know that the plastic colour and composition is exactly the same.

[@MrRedeyedJedi]

Strimmer wire

[@Duhzmin]

Fantastic tip

[@squidcaps4308]

Buy a roll of ABS 3d print filament. It will last you a lifetime and adheres to most plastics. Can be acetone welded too and solvent molded... Very, VERY useful material. Get a small roll, you most likely do not need the full 1kg, although.. it is only around 30€/kg, or less. ABS+acetone goo is strong plastic adhesive, just dissolve ABS to acetone until it can't take more, strain the bits out, add just a bit of acetone on top before storing. It takes quite a long time to cure as the solvent will leave the plastic very slowly. Can be sped up with heat and vacuum but haven't tried either so.. don't know how much they help.

[@kurisumakisushi6767]

Now these are life skills people need. Awesome video.

[@T_bone]

Awesome! The added carbon is what makes it more brittle! I used to repair motorcycle fairings so this is legit advice.

[@youbreakityoufixit9594]

Thanks for the backup!

[@SRFDriver]

This is the same process they used during my colon cancer surgery--they butterflied my abdominal muscle layers and inserted plastic mesh. The muscle grew through the mesh and I'm better than new!

[@dubbified]

Awesome! about 20 yrs ago My buddy's wife had a uterus that fel.. and they needed to use a experimental surgery, using MESH to hold her uterus up.. they said they;d never have children. They have three beautiful children and a healthy happy mother and father. Modern plastics.

[@zli8179]

gotta thank this man for risking his life showing you how to wield plastic into place

[@youbreakityoufixit9594]

Am I a hero? It's hard to say...but, yes, I am

[@dragontalontsiawd]

Bro I never believed in it because at times it's easier to swap parts than to try and fix the ones on hand... However as easy as that modified soldering iron is, I think I'm getting into it now... you made it look easy... I wonder how ABS, Nylons, and composites will handle it...

[@T_bone]

And you stamp your "man card".

[@greebj]

An iron with temp control and changeable tips will pay itself back quickly. These days loads of cheap stuff from China dies because one tiny microscopic wire or a solder join breaks. You don't need any electrical knowledge to see busted stuff like that.

[@HowieDue416]

I really like your youtube channel name and have subscribed prior to watching any of your videos (This one being the first) I wish I had found your channel earlier. As a person who works in the art department of film industry productions; I appreciate your production quality, and as a man I support your message. Please never stop making videos.

[@j.morrison73]

I really enjoyed this video. I've 'welded' plastic before, but I used an old soldering iron. A commercial style with a wide tip (3/8") . Even used waste plastic to fill in gaps. What I learned today was that there are actual plastic weld tools and to use steel mesh. With the mesh, I think I would (perhaps?) go overboard and repeat the process on both sides. Glad you mentioned using an mask designed for fumes. I nearly freaked when you started to weld. But then you mentioned the mask & I knew you were a pro at this. Good video, thanks.

[@5797029]

I used to use a similar process 60 years ago to customize model cars. My parents bought me, at a very young age, an electric wood burning kit. Primarily to decorativly engrave wood. Boring. I adapted that tool to melt the plastic and fuse different parts together. I can still remember the smell which was the opposite of the "real" glue and paint we were able to use. I still have the model cars but not the tool. Side note. I had to have a clerk at Home Depot aprove my purchase of a can of spray paint last week but not for a serious bonding cement. 🙃

[@norakat]

Best solution I've seen so far.

[@HeartSoulLeake]

We love the simplicity, precision, and clarity provided to resolve an common issue that presents itself very often in today's world. ☝🏾

[@timsilva1944]

Subscribed! I wouldn't say that you're cheap. Just not wasteful. Why buy new for $100 if you can fix it and not add to the landfill.

[@Fraggr92]

Exactly. There's a difference between refusing to throw away something that's lived past it's usefulness because you don't want to have to pay for a replacement, and repairing something that you know still has a lot of life left in it if you just fix it up a bit. The first option is cheap. The second option is just common sense. It's kind of painful to see the amount of stuff that people throw away because of minor faults. Like throwing away a whole lawn mower that won't run because of a bad gasket in the carb, or throwing away an axe because the handle broke. 20 bucks or less in both cases will get you a spare that will let both the lawn mower and the axe serve you for many more years, but for some reason people still choose to just get rid of them and buy something new. Wasteful as all hell.

[@ChapsShrugged]

Dude- EXACTLY. I probably hold on to way too much stuff because of this philosophy, but I've seen enough rotting cars to know if I'm not using or doing anything with it, let it go- Taking all my motorcycle extras to a swap meet with a sign: "make an offer- everything must go." $1? Sure. I just hate WASTING useful things!

[@sysghost]

Tip: buy sample-rolls of 3D printer filament. I'd say the commonly used types of plastic are ABS, Nylon and Vinyl (Vinyl works well with PVC too). No need to remove bits of plastics from other parts that way.

[@marcfruchtman9473]

Thank you very much, great video! The stainless steal mesh idea was very helpful! I am also glad you mentioned about the toxic gases of these plastics.

[@damienbaughman563]

This video deserves a million views. Thanks alot buddy

[@youbreakityoufixit9594]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@mcdevious2229]

Thanks for the respirator comment. A fan can work to move the smoke away, too. Nice video.

[@youbreakityoufixit9594]

Thank you!

[@Bigshoots86]

I'd do it outdoors with a fan unless you have good airflow where your at. If anything where a welders respirator

[@Steelplayer59]

I purchased a plastic welder from Harbor Freight (less than $20), but was not sure what the mesh was for. Instructions were pretty terrible. Thanks for the clear and indepth tutorial.

[@scottreed5460]

Glad I found your channel.. I love the name.. I don’t mind loaning tools or toys but I am infamous for saying “you break it, you fix it”...!! I love that man..

[@youbreakityoufixit9594]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@TerrydeAlaska]

I've done this kind of repair using a soldering iron and for screen I just went to the dollar store and bought one of those skillet anti-splatter screens with the round hoop and a handle and cut out what I needed. Worked great.

[@artisanshrew]

*You Break It You Fix It - Oh my goodness you have no idea how HAPPY I am to have found your channel - especially this video!* *Moving from CA to AZ, I hate how quickly plastic dries out here in the desert! I don’t mind replacing something I’ve gotten plenty use out of but NOTHING pisses me off more than a perfectly new or hardly used item going to shit simply because it has a crack or a small (but vital) piece pops off!!!* *THANK YOU!!!* 💜💜💜👍 *#Subscribed*

[@localFS]

i have to do this on a $1600 xenon headlight for my M3 because a tab broke off that hold the corner/turnsignal light. for awhile i wasnt sure how id fix it without spending the money but after seeing prices again/ not wanting to change from oem ive been lead to this video. thanks my guy, youve just saved me atleast $500-$1600

[@youbreakityoufixit9594]

Nice! This is exactly why I made this video. I used to work for a BMW dealership and repaired a ton of headlights and saved customers a lot of money

[@stevel1475]

@@youbreakityoufixit9594 I thought dealerships are supposed to make more money, not save the customers money. Your a good man.

[@PFLEONARDI0906]

Great video. The stainless mesh is a great idea and I always would add gussets to any break, if allowed in the installation area….

[@elvis6012]

Thank you! You describe it quick and easy without a lot of bla bla! Greetings from Croatia! 👍

[@markg1490]

Excellent video! I had never thought to use SS mesh before. Great idea. Thanks for taking the time to make this video and share your skills with us. I am sure this will save a lot of money for some of us.

[@elman8283]

@D. Johnston 702 just about any Hardware Store (it is just metal screen)

[@larryjohnson1612]

Your reports are the goto best if you really want a deep dive. The work you and the team do is fabulous!

[@KimHenriksen.]

Great video thank you for showing your skills

[@patty109109]

I have never tried this but absolutely see the value. Will keep it in mind.

[@Tyrel_156]

Thanks for sharing. I currently have 3 severely cracked drawers in my fridge and one is $180 to replace. Without this skill the fridge is totalled. I just ordered a plastic welder and ill give it a try.

[@youbreakityoufixit9594]

I love hearing stories like this!

[@lydiahubbell6278]

I used super glue and baking soda for cracked refrigerator drawers.

[@BURTBROWN]

Tyrel: I was just shopping for refrigerators and saw how cheaply made the side shelves were!!! OUTRAGEOUSLY cheap and bad... Plastic welding just showed me how to fix them BEFORE THEY BREAK!!!!!!

[@EndstyleGG]

I never would have thought of the mesh method, what a great idea!

[@williamwixon]

truly, as others have said, thanks for the stainless steel mesh tip. Over the years I've done many different sorts of plastic repairs with varying degrees of success but the embedded stainless mesh tip really sounds like that could save me a lot of money! thanks!

[@youbreakityoufixit9594]

Thank you for the kind words. Glad you found this video useful!

[@johnelstad]

I'm so glad I stumbled across this video. Part of the handle of my electric vehicle charger broke off when I dropped it, so now it doesn't connect as well. I was doubtful my glue gun would be sufficient to fix it and I dreaded replacing it. I think plastic welding (which I didn't know existed) is the perfect solution. Thanks for sharing. Subscribed!