Plastic Welding
Instead of replacing expensive plastic components due to cracking or splitting, in many cases a cost effective repair can be satisfactorally carried out using plastic welding techniques on thermoplastics used on cars and motorcycles, including bumpers, plastic trim, fairings and other spoilers. It is even possible to refit chunks or large pieces that have broken away from the main section, which is often the case with motorcycle fairing damage.
The only requirement is that a piece of donor plastic exactly matching the original is available during repair, this could come from a spare damaged fairing in the case of a motorcycle repair, or a section cut from an old car bumper or spoiler in the case of a vehicle repair. Sometimes strips of donor plastic can be shaved from hidden areas underneath thus avoiding the need to source donor pieces.
Different types of plastic CAN NOT be fused together hence the need for a donor sample for bridging cracks and splits, ideally taken from the original item or from a similar make/model. Only thermoplastics are repairable in this way, thermosetting plastics cannot be welded - the application of heat burns the plastic rather than melting it, making fusion impossible. Luckily the majority of plastics used on cars and bikes are thermoplastic and therefore repairable.
Once properly repaired, a plastic welded panel is VERY strong compared to other repair methods such as glue, adhesive, fibreglass or bonding.
Many samples of plastic are kept from other plastic components that were beyond economical repair however, it cannot be guaranteed that an exact match will be available so it is worth hanging on to damaged bike fairings to act as donor for other parts needing repair.
Plastic welding involves the thorough preparation of the plastic surface and removal of existing paint and primer before using special plastic welding equipment to fuse together split parts and strengthen weakened areas by forming a donor patch over the reverse side of a damaged component. After surface preparation, chemical cleaning and application of special adhesion promoters, plastic primers, fillers, surfacers and primers can be applied prior to final paintwork.
Plastic welding and repair methods are becoming the environmentally preferred option instead of replacement and avoids any associated waste disposal costs.