Plastifix for the grille

[BrugeeRT]

So I have tearing apart and restoring the front grille assembly on my 68 and was wondering what to do with all the broke plastic and cracks on my grille.  It wasn't to horrible but with age I guess it was the usual stuff for a 50 year old car.   I saw some people online were using plastifix to repair plastic tabs on bumpers and motorcycle fairings so I thought I would try it out.  Amazing stuff!!!   You can see the corner that has been broken out of the Grille headlight surround


The first thing I did was to use a rotary tool to prep the edges


Then I framed it in using wood, wax paper, and some clamps.   The kit comes with a wax mold shaping bar but I found this easier for this application.



You lay thin layers of the powder that comes in the kit....



...then use the syringe to drip acetone on the powder until it is covered.



Keep adding layers until it is built up and a little above the surface so you can have some to sand down



Here is what it initially looks like after the mold is removed but before sanding



I sanded it down with 80 grit and then 220



Just have to do some more sanding on it and drill the holes for the rivets.  I used it in with conjunction of a plastic welder to repair cracks and the broken mounting brackets that hold it to the grill frame.   Its very solid and I'm not worried at all about it just braking off.  The directions say if forms a chemical bond with the plastic that makes it a lot stronger.  One kit goes a really long way if you are careful with it.  Two thumbs up!!!  Now for plastic primer and paint...

[Mopar Nut]

Don't see any pictures. 

[BIGBLCK11]

Same, no pics.  I planned to checkout plastifix as well.  It would be great to see how it worked for your repair.

[birdsandbees]

Pics were there last night...

[BrugeeRT]

Sorry, my first time posting imbedded pictures on a forum.    I don't know why they disappeared so I just switched from google images to imgur.  Hopefully they show up now.

[birdsandbees]

I take no chances with hosting pics and direct load so they never go missing in the future. Takes a bit of downsizing work, but worth it in the end.

[JB400]

I see them, and the repairs look pretty good

[Mopar Nut]

I see them now, but I'm on my phone.

You did a good job.

[BrugeeRT]

So since I got the pictures to post here was another place I used it....about 5x.
The mounting brackets on top and bottom were brittle and the mounting screws being rusted tight made breaking them almost unavoidable. 



I used the wax molding bar that came with the kit for this one



So I build it up like before and sanded it down with 80 and 220.   Here is the after picture with primer, completed but just needing the mounting hole drilled out.

[1970Moparmann]

Thanks for posting this!   Plastifix looks like a great product for this type of repair. 

[alfaitalia]

Interesting....will have to see if I can get that stuff over here. Thanks for posting and Im glad you got it done before you went off to the clown convention. (first post, last pic,!!).

[BrugeeRT]

Interesting....will have to see if I can get that stuff over here. Thanks for posting and Im glad you got it done before you went off to the clown convention. (first post, last pic,!!).

That hilarious! I didnt know what you were talking about at first.  They are an old pair of Jordan's I put on that I haven't worn in years because they do look like clown shoes.  I knew I would putzing around the house that day but my little guy loves MJ so I thought I'd throw em on.  Changed them when I left the house later lol!

[BIGBLCK11]

Thanks for the pics.  The repairs look great!

[4cruzin]

That's impressive!