Acrylic window repairs

HarryM1BYT · 12th January 2013, 21:22

As caravan repairs are very much to the fore in my mind at the moment...

Several years ago, due to not knowing my own strength when opening one, I managed to crack one pane of a double glazed window close to the hinge, one of the most highly stressed areas.

As some of you may already know, these are quite costly to replace -possibly £400 /£500, so I spent ages trying to find a means of repairing it. Eventually I found that chloroform was the traditional method, it melts the acrylic and welds it - but you try buying chloroform.

Next I found a specialist adhesive company and asked their advice, they suggested a welding adhesive called WC102 from Bondrite and as a favour, as there was no absolute confidence it would work, a small 50ml sample at a special price. I actually used no more than around three drops out of the sample, drippling it along the crack. Its about the consistency of superglue, except it dos not stick your fingers together and sets up in minutes. My sample size only kept for 2 weeks then evaporation took the rest.

I would suggest my repair was at least as strong as new, for it lasted for many years. Close to the hinge, it was also invisible unless it were pointed out to you. What it cannot do is fill gaps, so you have to make sure the split is firmly back together and held in slight compression, so the solution is drawn in by capillary action. You also must be careful with the application, to only apply no more than is needed to soak into the join and not spill any. Apply too much and in might run in between the panes. Once set up, you can then polish it up with Brasso or similar, but the repair will still be visible to some extent.

I now have another window to repair as a temporary until I find a second hand replacement, the WC102 is on order. Based on my numerous suggestions of WC102 as a window fix, the company now promotes it for the job and offers a 50ml size officially. This time I ordered 250ml, which can be kept on the shelf a bit longer and comes with a fine syringe to apply it, which might be a better way than the sample size.

12th January 2013, 21:22	#1
HarryM1BYT This is my second home 75 Contemporary SE Mk II 2004 Man. Sal. CDTi 135ps, FBH on red diesel, WinCE6 DD Join Date: May 2010 Location: Leeds Posts: 17,273 Thanks: 2,160 Thanked 2,061 Times in 1,586 Posts	Acrylic window repairs As caravan repairs are very much to the fore in my mind at the moment... Several years ago, due to not knowing my own strength when opening one, I managed to crack one pane of a double glazed window close to the hinge, one of the most highly stressed areas. As some of you may already know, these are quite costly to replace -possibly £400 /£500, so I spent ages trying to find a means of repairing it. Eventually I found that chloroform was the traditional method, it melts the acrylic and welds it - but you try buying chloroform. Next I found a specialist adhesive company and asked their advice, they suggested a welding adhesive called WC102 from Bondrite and as a favour, as there was no absolute confidence it would work, a small 50ml sample at a special price. I actually used no more than around three drops out of the sample, drippling it along the crack. Its about the consistency of superglue, except it dos not stick your fingers together and sets up in minutes. My sample size only kept for 2 weeks then evaporation took the rest. I would suggest my repair was at least as strong as new, for it lasted for many years. Close to the hinge, it was also invisible unless it were pointed out to you. What it cannot do is fill gaps, so you have to make sure the split is firmly back together and held in slight compression, so the solution is drawn in by capillary action. You also must be careful with the application, to only apply no more than is needed to soak into the join and not spill any. Apply too much and in might run in between the panes. Once set up, you can then polish it up with Brasso or similar, but the repair will still be visible to some extent. I now have another window to repair as a temporary until I find a second hand replacement, the WC102 is on order. Based on my numerous suggestions of WC102 as a window fix, the company now promotes it for the job and offers a 50ml size officially. This time I ordered 250ml, which can be kept on the shelf a bit longer and comes with a fine syringe to apply it, which might be a better way than the sample size. __________________ Harry How To's and items I offer for free, or just to cover the cost of my expenses... http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...40#post1764540 Fix a poor handbrake; DIY ABS diagnostic unit; Loan of the spanner needed to change the CDT belts; free OBD diagnostics +MAF; Correct Bosch MAF cheap; DVB-T install in an ex-hi-line system; DD install with a HK amp; FBH servicing. I've taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money.