Plastic Pointers - Volume 4 Number 2

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Uni-Weld FiberFlex Rod Now Available!

Urethane Supply Company has recently introduced a revolutionary new product called Uni-Weld FiberFlex. FiberFlex is based on the original Uni-Weld technology but has vastly improved strength and toughness. Carbon and glass fibers incorporated into the blend increase tensile strength. The polymer blend has also been reformulated for improved consistency.

FiberFlex Bonds to Any Plastic

The first key advantage to FiberFlex is its adhesion to "problem plastics" like TPO, TEO, and PP. Unlike many two-part adhesives, FiberFlex will featheredge without rolling up on problem plastics. FiberFlex is the only plastic repair material that will actually stick to a body spreader!

Faster Than Any Other Plastic Repair System

Speed is FiberFlex's second advantage. Due to FiberFlex's unique thermoplastic composition, there's no cure time. Unlike two-part adhesives which must cure for an hour or more before sanding, FiberFlex can be force cooled with water and sanded immediately. There is no other product on the market that is as fast as FiberFlex. FiberFlex can be melted on in seconds with the 5600HT Mini-Weld Model 6 Airless Plastic Welder.

Fibers Make it Strong and Tough

Strength is FiberFlex's most important advantage. The carbon and glass fibers give the product incredible toughness. A properly-prepared plastic sample can withstand dozens of back-and-forth flexing before breaking.


FiberFlex's adhesion is so good, it'll even stick to a body spreader. The glass fibers in the product give it outstanding strength.

We've done demonstrations comparing the strength of the FiberFlex to popular urethane and epoxy two-part adhesives. The FiberFlex was able to withstand much more abuse than the two-parts. All strength demonstrations are available on the web at www.urethanesupply.com/video. The demos are available in both streaming RealVideo format or downloadable .MPG files.

FiberFlex is also easily sandable. The sandability is not quite as good as our regular Uni-Weld Ribbon product due to a reduction in filler level, but the sandability still compares very well to competitive two-part epoxies and urethanes. The standard Uni-Weld Ribbon is still available where optimum sandability is critical.

FiberFlex is available in two forms. The 5003R10 flat sticks are similar to the Uni-Weld Ribbon. The flat sticks are applied using the 6028RT round welding tip. This product is ideal for people who want to use FiberFlex with their existing plastic welder and round welding tip.

To increase the speed of the welding process, FiberFlex is also available in 5003R11 round rod. This 3/16” diameter rod is used with the new 6030 Speed Welding Tip. Use of the round rod allows the FiberFlex to be completely melted as it is deposited onto the plastic, greatly increasing the speed of the repair process. After depositing about 1-1/2” worth of melted FiberFlex, remove the rod from the tip and use the hot welding tip to smooth the FiberFlex onto the surface. Like the Uni-Weld, FiberFlex is a thermoplastic adhesive, so it should not be melted together with the base material. FiberFlex is melted onto the surface and spread like butter on toast.

If you're planning to attend NACE in Atlanta in December, stop by Booth # 1135 and check out the FiberFlex in person.

In this issue of the Plastic Pointers, you'll see instructions for repairing tears in bumpers and also torn mounting holes. Keep your eye on future issues that will focus on how to do some difficult repairs, like the tabs on the inside of Mazda Millenia bumpers.

Repairing Bumper Tears with FiberFlex Rod

STEP 1 Clean and Grind Plastic		Reshape plastic with heat if necessary Clean plastic with soap &amp water and 1000 Super Clean Plastic Cleaner V-groove halfway though plastic with die grinder Roughen surface with coarse sandpaper. Radius into V-groove with 80 grit in a DA
STEP 2 Melt on the FiberFlex		For two-sided repairs, weld backside first, then repeat Steps 1 and 2 on the frontside 2045W Stainless Steel Reinforcing Wire Mesh may be used to further reinforce the repair Using 5003R11 Round Rod and 6030 Speed Tip Hold the 6030 Speed Tip slightly off surface of plastic and deposit about 1-1/2" worth of melted FiberFlex onto surface Remove 5003R11 Round Rod from tip and use the hot welder tip to smooth FiberFlex onto surface. Do not melt base material! Using 5003R10 Flat Rod and 6028 Round Tip Pre-melt one side of rod with hot welder tip Stick the melted side of the rod onto the plastic and cut the melted portion of the rod off with the edge of the welder tip Spread the FiberFlex onto the surface with the hot welder tip. Do not melt base material!
	or...

STEP 3 Let Cool and Sand		Allow FiberFlex to cool completely, or force cool with water if desired Sand FiberFlex with 80 grit sandpaper in a DA sander at low speed Fill any low spots with more FiberFlex or with a skim coat of two-part filler

Repairing Torn Bolt Holes with FiberFlex Rod

STEP 1 Clean and Grind Plastic		Clean plastic with soap &water and 1000 Super Clean Plastic Cleaner Taper edges on both sides of plastic to a point with coarse sandpaper. Taper back about 1 inch on either side
STEP 2 Melt on the FiberFlex		Apply 6481 Aluminum Tape across the gap to support the melted rod while it's hot 2045W Stainless Steel Reinforcing Wire Mesh may be used to further reinforce the repair Using 5003R11 Round Rod and 6030 Speed Tip Hold tip slightly off surface of plastic and deposit melted FiberFlex onto surface across gap. Fill entire hole Remove 5003R11 Round Rod from tip and use the hot welder tip to smooth FiberFlex onto surface. Do not melt base material! Allow to cool and repeat on opposite side Using 5003R10 Flat Rod and 6028 Round Tip Stick melted side of the rod onto the plastic. Apply FiberFlex across gap; fill entire hole Allow to cool and repeat on opposite side
	or...

STEP 3 Sand and Drill Out Hole		Allow FiberFlex to cool completely, or force cool with water if desired Sand FiberFlex with 80 grit sandpaper in a DA sander at low speed Open hole with die grinder

Other News

Bumper & Trim Black in New 8 oz. Bottle WDs All Over Country Stocking FiberFlex

Bumper and Trim Black, a great product for restoring faded textured plastic trim, is now available in an 8 oz. bottle. With the 8 oz. bottle, you can cover twice the area than you could with our old 4 oz. bottle, but the price has only gone up by $1.00 to .

If you haven't tried Bumper and Trim Black yet, it works great for restoring a factory appearance on textured black plastic trim like door handles, rub strips, mirror housings, and window trim.

Paint & Body Warehouse Distributors all over the country now have Uni-Weld FiberFlex in stock. Call us or check out our website for the distributor nearest you. Our WDs don't sell to end users directly, but the paint & body jobber you currently buy your paint and materials from probably already buys from them, so ask your jobber if they can order what you want. Call us at Urethane Supply and we'll do our best to help hook you up with one of our distributors.

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