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General => Cosmetic and bodywork matters => Topic started by: jockgti on 16 September 2011, 19:08

Title: Plastic Weld+Arch Rolling
Post by: jockgti on 16 September 2011, 19:08

Plastic Welding is this something all bodyshops do or a specialized job only certain places will do?

Arch rolling what does this mean ? anyone got before and after pics?

Can the gaps between my valances and bumpers be filled with plastic welding so they become part of the bumper if you know what i mean,or will this crack ?

got some money coming in and decided i don't really need more anymore power,so was thinking might make him look a bit better,its the last money i'm allowed to spend on him so might as well get as much done as possible

Title: Re: Plastic Weld+Arch Rolling
Post by: Tazzy on 16 September 2011, 20:07

plastic welding is easy, so easy in fact that i can do it, lol, you just need a good soldering iron and a steady hand (which i dont have) most bodyshops should be able to do it, its not a complicated skill

arch rolling is when the lip on the arch is heated up and pushed in out the way of the wheel, this is best when your car is lowered with after market wheels to stop the tyres from rubbing, its a rubber roller on an adjustable arm that bolts to your hub

yes, the valances can be plastic welded, this will make them more solid, however, they are seperate for a reason, if you clatter your valance on a curb, you can unbolt the valance, if you clatter it whilst its plastic welded/smoothed, you will need to change the bumper

Title: Re: Plastic Weld+Arch Rolling
Post by: jockgti on 16 September 2011, 21:03

cheers for the reply mate

Title: Re: Plastic Weld+Arch Rolling
Post by: jamie_pyrite on 19 September 2011, 12:12

http://youtu.be/fP3yW-hqFng


This seems to be a good video for seeing how plastic welding works. There are a few different ways of doing it though, but I like this one.

Title: Re: Plastic Weld+Arch Rolling
Post by: bullens on 19 September 2011, 23:47

welding with a woldering iron isn't the best nor is it the strongest, a proper plastic welder is need to do the job properly

Title: Re: Plastic Weld+Arch Rolling
Post by: tobybrennan on 20 September 2011, 20:17

im a welder myself, both TIG and plastic welding. your best using a specially designed "heat gun" to melt the plastic. you will possibly need to tack the plastic together also as its a pain for warping, for that you need a "tacking tip". you can get a plastic welding kit but these can cost a fair bit ( about £250 for the kit, as much as a metal welding unit!) but that seems abit steep for the small work you need to do. i would probly try looking about for a local place that deals in plastic welding ans slip them a back hander to tidy it up for you :P