Repairing GTS dash fascia

[Absinth]

I cut a mounting lug from another fascia to replace the broken one.



Also cut the original radio hole section from a standard dash and fitted it in.



Radio section all welded in.



The radio fits perfectly.



I give the fascia a wash and wet sanded back the face ready for painting. Here it is all masked up just before painting.



Sprayed silver.



The finished product.

[Gas On]

Gday,

Absinth - Nice handy work Absinth, it come up alright. Would you advertise it as an `original' dash?... Is it really strong as the original?

Sndman77 - Pratice makes perfect, like anything. Soldertech have all the gear to get you started if interested, and are a great company to deal with. Also, remember that the `plastic welding rod' has to be matched IDENTICAL to the type of plastic you plan on welding / repairing.

Cheers

[Absinth]

Would you advertise it as an `original' dash?... Is it really strong as the original?

It would be advertised as exactly what it is "A repaired original HJ GTS dash fascia".

Yes the welds are as strong and often stronger. I butt welded two bits of offcut fascia together and then broke it in half, it broke away from the weld. Like any welding, the better you get at it the stronger the weld is.

Plenty of failed attempts when I first started doing it though....;)

[Sndman77]

Gday,

Absinth - Nice handy work Absinth, it come up alright. Would you advertise it as an `original' dash?... Is it really strong as the original?

Sndman77 - Pratice makes perfect, like anything. Soldertech have all the gear to get you started if interested, and are a great company to deal with. Also, remember that the `plastic welding rod' has to be matched IDENTICAL to the type of plastic you plan on welding / repairing.

Cheers

Gas On - I'll check out Solderteck and see if their is a local supplier. What plastic welding rod should you use for repairing gts dash fascia.

[wbute]

Looks great. Well worth your time and effort!

[stickthis]

aye if its anything like tig or fusion oxy than it cant be too hard. Think i might look at getting some gear and having a play also! Sean your going to have competition now hahaha

[Absinth]

Geez guys, if I can do it anyone can. All the gear needed is available from Mining and Industrial plastics which is 2 minutes down the road from me so if anyone wants to give it a go and can't find a supplier let me know and I can get it and send it to you.

Forsthoff electronic welder......... $669.80 + GST
3mm speed welding tip............... $78.05 + GST
Mylar test kit........................... $22.00 + GST
welding rods...pack................... $47.50 + GST

The mylar test kit is a pack of different types of plastic rods 300mm long and named to test on the plastic you want to weld to identify it. The rod that sticks is the type of plastic it is.

GTS fascia plastic is ABS.

As I said there are cheapy plastic welders on Ebay but I don't know how good they are so buy one at your own risk. I only buy quality tools and my welder was bought when I was welding vinyl flooring and wall sheeting together.

Ebay welders
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1500w-Plastic...item3a5a86daf1

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Plastic-Welde...item3cacae410d

[Gas On]

What plastic welding rod should you use for repairing gts dash fascia.

Gday,

Alternatively... to save $, you could just simply snap a bit off an old facia and use that - that way you're dealing with apples for apples. A bit harder to work with tho.

Cheers

[abncraig]

sure beats a cable tie and soldering iron... yes I have used on a few different things and they held

[mook]

The Dash looks great!
What about the black unpainted parts of the surround? repaint or just a good clean?

I have a great GTS wood grain dash but some bugger has enlarged the radio hole and put in an extra hole in the same panel..


Anyway has anyone used any aftermarket decals and how close are they to the original print thats on the dashes? for instance if i were to repair a section will an aftermarket decal look the same or are they on a vinyl?