Repairing GTS dash fascia

[Absinth]

I cut a mounting lug from another fascia to replace the broken one.



Also cut the original radio hole section from a standard dash and fitted it in.



Radio section all welded in.



The radio fits perfectly.



I give the fascia a wash and wet sanded back the face ready for painting. Here it is all masked up just before painting.



Sprayed silver.



The finished product.

[stickthis]

looks great well done. Wack it on ebay and get 500 bux for it now haha.

[Sndman77]

I have been watching the process, you repairing the dash fascia. Great outcome and wonderful job.
Is their a certain silver paint you used????
Is plastic welding similar to metal welding?????

Great job and demonstration.

[Absinth]

I had the paint mixed in quick dry enamel and colour matched to an original fascia. Welding plastic is like oxy welding but instead of a flame it is very hot air that melts the plastic welding rod.

Like oxy welding, too much heat will warp the plastic you are trying to weld so once the rod starts to melt you have to weld quickly.


Jason, considering GTS fascia's are selling for between $80 to $160 on Ebay with most being broken or cut up and the one I just did wasn't that badly butchered but still took a full weekend to repair I wouldn't want to be doing them for a living.

I doubt people would be prepared to pay $500 for one even though there is $300 to $400 worth of labour and materials in repairing one. We'll see however as I don't need this one and will probably stick it on Ebay.

[Gas On]

Gday,

Absinth - Nice handy work Absinth, it come up alright. Would you advertise it as an `original' dash?... Is it really strong as the original?

Sndman77 - Pratice makes perfect, like anything. Soldertech have all the gear to get you started if interested, and are a great company to deal with. Also, remember that the `plastic welding rod' has to be matched IDENTICAL to the type of plastic you plan on welding / repairing.

Cheers

[Absinth]

Would you advertise it as an `original' dash?... Is it really strong as the original?

It would be advertised as exactly what it is "A repaired original HJ GTS dash fascia".

Yes the welds are as strong and often stronger. I butt welded two bits of offcut fascia together and then broke it in half, it broke away from the weld. Like any welding, the better you get at it the stronger the weld is.

Plenty of failed attempts when I first started doing it though....;)

[Sndman77]

[QUOTE=Absinth;2868]I had the paint mixed in quick dry enamel and colour matched to an original fascia. Welding plastic is like oxy welding but instead of a flame it is very hot air that melts the plastic welding rod.

Like oxy welding, too much heat will warp the plastic you are trying to weld so once the rod starts to melt you have to weld quickly.




I'm have done plenty of oxy welding and mig/stick/tig, never done any plastic welding.
I must give it a go.
Thanks for your advice.

Bill

[Sndman77]

Gday,

Absinth - Nice handy work Absinth, it come up alright. Would you advertise it as an `original' dash?... Is it really strong as the original?

Sndman77 - Pratice makes perfect, like anything. Soldertech have all the gear to get you started if interested, and are a great company to deal with. Also, remember that the `plastic welding rod' has to be matched IDENTICAL to the type of plastic you plan on welding / repairing.

Cheers

Gas On - I'll check out Solderteck and see if their is a local supplier. What plastic welding rod should you use for repairing gts dash fascia.

[wbute]

Looks great. Well worth your time and effort!

[stickthis]

aye if its anything like tig or fusion oxy than it cant be too hard. Think i might look at getting some gear and having a play also! Sean your going to have competition now hahaha