gedavis2
06-25-2009, 04:00 PM
Ok I have learned alot on this project so I'll share what info I have. HDPE is what most ATV's are made of and it is great but hard to repair or paint. First don't buy any of the plastic paint it will not stick I don't care how you prep the surface. Second most plastic adhesive will not work I don't care how you prep the surface. Third plastic welding, it will work but make sure you have the right rods for the plastic your working with, HDPE is almost like wax so it's hard to deal with. I used a soldering iron and a piece of plastic bucket for my rods. (look at the recycle logo to find out the type of plastic you have). It's not easy or is it pretty but so far my "welds" seem to be holding. Now painting polyethylene, I don't think there is anything that will stick but I got it to hold a little. I have a red atv and didn't want the red to show even if it was underneath so I painted it. How can I get this to stick?? Well I did the clean up with a solvent, scuffed the surface with a 3m pad and then sprayed it with 3m adhesive, gives it a rough texture but not unlike undercoating. Finally I used the Fusion plastic paint and sprayed the under side. So far it's holding up well and I figure it will give a little cushion for any thing kicked up from driving. I have only one more item I want to try and that is the poly adhesive shown on "You Tube" as I have some repairs to do an the back fenders. I'll keep you posted.
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