Plastic welder: My new favorite tool.
This style plastic welder does work well, and this kit in particular works quite well. The kit includes many assorted welding wires and the mentioned smoothing tips. The cutting pliers are okay, but not as "hardened" steel as a better quality pair of pliers.
I used the same kit to repair a cut lower right plastic trim for the original AM/8-track in my T/A Challenger. The trim had been cut to install a under dash unit into the dash. I had the original cut trim and an uncut 'Cuda trim. The 'Cuda trim was in decent shape in front but the rear mounting posts were broken.
The 70 Challenger dash/trim differs some from the 70 'Cuda and 71-later 'Cuda/Challenger trim. So, I used the 'Cuda trim to repair my 70 Challenger trim. The finished trim is not perfect, but installed in the lower dash, in the shadow, it looks acceptable.
Original, cut, 70 Challenger trim:
'Cuda trim:
Section for repair cut from the 'Cuda trim:
Original trim sectioned out and 'Cuda piece sectioned to match:
Pieces welded together:
Welding wires cut, and sections blended using scrap plastic, rear and front:
Filling done with epoxy, plastic filler, and spot putty, with "graining" impressed into the putty/filler:
Smoothed, painted, and worked area blended into the surrounding area:
Fitted to inner panel:
Installed in dash with radio:
This style plastic welder does work well, and this kit in particular works quite well. The kit includes many assorted welding wires and the mentioned smoothing tips. The cutting pliers are okay, but not as "hardened" steel as a better quality pair of pliers.
I used the same kit to repair a cut lower right plastic trim for the original AM/8-track in my T/A Challenger. The trim had been cut to install a under dash unit into the dash. I had the original cut trim and an uncut 'Cuda trim. The 'Cuda trim was in decent shape in front but the rear mounting posts were broken.
The 70 Challenger dash/trim differs some from the 70 'Cuda and 71-later 'Cuda/Challenger trim. So, I used the 'Cuda trim to repair my 70 Challenger trim. The finished trim is not perfect, but installed in the lower dash, in the shadow, it looks acceptable.
Original, cut, 70 Challenger trim:
'Cuda trim:
Section for repair cut from the 'Cuda trim:
Original trim sectioned out and 'Cuda piece sectioned to match:
Pieces welded together:
Welding wires cut, and sections blended using scrap plastic, rear and front:
Filling done with epoxy, plastic filler, and spot putty, with "graining" impressed into the putty/filler:
Smoothed, painted, and worked area blended into the surrounding area:
Fitted to inner panel:
Installed in dash with radio: