Date:         Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:10:41 -0800
Reply-To:     Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject:      Re: how to fix cracked intrument cluster housings where
              speedo/tach mount to cluster
Comments: To: Max Wellhouse <dimwittedmoose@CFU.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=response

that's good advise on the fiberglass or kevlar cloth strands.
I use fine teak sawdust mixed into any two part epoxy........that works
bomber, so well that I use teak sawdust mixed into marine two part epoxy (
west system ) to repair holes in concrete floors, it's that durable when
cured.
   Should work pretty well on instrument clusters too.
Funny they made the instrument cluster cover out of indestructible
plastic.........I've never seen a broken one, but they made the instrument
cluster housing itself out of cheese.    Bad-bad VW.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Max Wellhouse" <dimwittedmoose@CFU.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2008 4:15 PM
Subject: Re: how to fix cracked intrument cluster housings where speedo/tach
mount to cluster


>A good fix it idea here!!  Technically however, the plastic welder is
> not an epoxy and this might confuse some of those going shopping for
> such items.  The Devcon and Duro (and whom ever else makes the stuff)
> Plastic Welder is a Methylmerthacrolate based adhesive and really
> stinks when it's curing.  The high grade MM comes from a company
> called Plexus up in New England, but the Wal Mart stuff Devcon sells
> is more than adequate for a lot of plastic repairs, but not for
> polyethylene. Just remember when you do this repair, that you're not
> adding any reinforcement tot he repair, just glue.  That makes for a
> brittle repair at best, but likely not much of an issue with a dash
> fix.   Even taking a pair of scissors and cutting up some fiberglass
> cloth or mat into really small lengths and mixing that in with the
> Plastic Welder or Epoxy repair will make for a much stronger
> repair.  Kevlar and carbon fiber are even better; kevlar adds tensile
> strength and the graphite/carbon fiber adds stiffness.  I've had
> great luck repairing torn fiberglass bumper bolt sockets with this
> technique.
>
> that was likely more than you wanted to know about the subject.
>
> DM&FS
>
> At 12:56 PM 12/19/2008, JordanVw@AOL.COM wrote:
>>nearly all vanagon instument clusters are going to have some of the screw
>>bosses cracked where the speedometer or tach screws into the back of the
>>instrument cluster housing.  after 15-25 years, its inevitable.
>>
>>they can be repaired easily with JB weld or plastic weld epoxy.
>>
>>i remove the speedo or tach,  and remove the screws.
>>
>>then i coat the screw lightly with grease - not too much.. then wipe the
>>excess off.  i also coat the edge/lip of the speedo or tach with grease
>>where
>>it
>>will come in contact with the plastic welder epoxy or JB weld then wipe
>>the
>>excess off.  i
>>do this so it wont stick.
>>
>>then i clean the cracked screw bosses..and use black electrical tape, to
>>build a "form" or "mold" to hold the epoxy.
>>
>>i then mix up the plastic welder epoxy, and spread into damaged areas,
>>building it up  where the plastic once was.
>>
>>then i reinstall the speedo or tach, and lightly run the screws in by
>>finger
>>pressure.
>>
>>once dried, you will be able to remove the screws..
>>
>>chris
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>**************
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