[rescue] Sun plastic case repair adhesive

[David Griffith]

On Sun, 25 Sep 2022, Steve Hatle wrote:
> I've come across a nice little Sparcstation 1+ but it has some pieces of the 
> top case that have broken off - before I got it :-)
>
> Luckily, I have the pieces and so I'd like to glue them back on to improve 
> the cosmetics as best I can.
>
> I've had recommendations to use either MEK or Xylene as they will create a 
> better bond by "melting/welding" the pieces together, as opposed to something 
> like superglue.
>
> If anyone has words of wisdom or experience to share, please pass it along!

I've repaired plastics by making a cement of sorts using MEK or xylene and 
shavings of plastic taken from a little-noticed part of the interior or 
some unrepairable part.  To make it, put a little pile of shavings on a 
sheet of glass or piece of glazed tile.  Drip solvent onto the pile while 
stirring with a wooden coffee stirrer until you get a smooth goo 
resembling toothpaste.

This goo can be used to reattach broken-off parts, fill gaps, and so on. 
Fiberglass cloth with goo can be applied to the rear of the break to 
reinforce the repair.  Stippling can be replicated by taking a mould of 
somewhere else using casting silicone.  Press this mould up against goo 
where it's used to fill something on the visible side.  Blend edges with a 
coffee stirrer with one end roughed up to resemble a paintbrush.  This 
thing alone can also be used as stippling tool.

I haven't used this to repair Sun equipment, but I soon will for a nice 
Sparcstation 20.


-- 
David Griffith
dave at 661.org

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