repairs to a Topper

   Hi, I'm looking at a Topper for sale, quite well equipped and at a reasonable price.  The snag  is that it has a 4 cm in length bite out of the foredeck edge , obviously the result of  a heavy collision. I do know that  Toppers are the made of poly propylene.  Can they be prepared using a household epoxy kit.?Many thanks
djdhi

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djdhi Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 06 Oct 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 44	Post Options Post Reply Quote djdhi Report Post Quote Reply Topic: repairs to a Topper Posted: 21 Apr 15 at 2:18pm
	Hi, I'm looking at a Topper for sale, quite well equipped and at a reasonable price. The snag is that it has a 4 cm in length bite out of the foredeck edge , obviously the result of a heavy collision. I do know that Toppers are the made of poly propylene. Can they be prepared using a household epoxy kit.? Many thanks djdhi

foaminatthedeck Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 18 May 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 318	Post Options Post Reply Quote foaminatthedeck Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Apr 15 at 7:06pm
	You used to be able to buy plastic from Topper which could then be used to affect plastic weld repairs using a heat source. A better option than an epoxy repair which due to the massive variation in material stiffness is unlikely to stay bonded for long.
	Lark 2170

transient Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 21 Aug 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 715	Post Options Post Reply Quote transient Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Apr 15 at 7:59pm
	Polypropylene is a right pig to glue, not much will stick to it. As foamin says, welding is about the only option.

sandgrounder Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 01 Apr 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 220	Post Options Post Reply Quote sandgrounder Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Apr 15 at 8:59pm
	What you actually require is a hot air (plastic welding) tool. I use a Leister Triac S. Please don't bother with a hair drier or wallpaper removal tool, you'll be wasting your time. You also require some polypropylene welding rods. I have some of these in both red and white. PM me if you require any additional information. Edited by sandgrounder - 21 Apr 15 at 9:13pm

Buzz Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 14 Jun 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 101	Post Options Post Reply Quote Buzz Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Apr 15 at 1:03pm
	If you are in Cornwall I have a hot air welder and plastic welding rods.

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6660	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Apr 15 at 1:12pm
	There are so many Toppers about though is it really worth purchasing a damaged one bearing in mind the hassle factor.

Buzz Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 14 Jun 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 101	Post Options Post Reply Quote Buzz Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Apr 15 at 4:51pm
	If the damage is where the hull and deck join be very careful. The deck and hull are joined by embedding copper tape at the two edges. Electricity is passed through the wire which fuses the hull and deck together. If the join is broken then you can't weld the plastic back together as you cant create a 'V' groove with a chisel in which to insert the welding rod. An ordinary split is quite easy to fix.

piglet Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 04 Jan 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 514	Post Options Post Reply Quote piglet Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Apr 15 at 10:10pm
	Polyprop can't be glued, only welded. The deck joint is back a bit, you see lots of dry perfectly Toppers with chunks missing from the gunwales, but I have also seen boats that have had a shunt on the edge and split open. Blow it up through the bunghole until the fordeck swells then pour soapy water along it.