TR4/4A Amco wind wing repair

[Rut]

I received a set of original Amco wind wings with my TR4a and one is broken. It's a clean break and I would like to repair it if it can be made strong and clear. Does anyone have experience making a repair like this?
Thanks, Rut

 

[number6]

Hi Rut, I have used Gorilla glue super gel repairing clear styrene plastics. I don't know what the material is your dealing with, but it won't work on polyethylene or polycarbonate. In my case I also used several small brass pins to locate the pieces together. Biggest issue I had was the excess squeeze out of the glue. Very tough to wipe it clean without leaving residue. I had to be inventive about clamping
as the part I fixed was oddly shaped. Finally used rubber bands.
Tom S.
1979 Spitfire, 1967 Rover 2000 TC, 1969 MGC, 2004 Jag X Type, Sunbeam Harrington

 

[TR3driver]

IMO you will never get it so the repair is not noticeable. To get the joint as invisible as possible, you'll need the appropriate solvent type "cement" for the plastic in question. Most likely they are acrylic (aka Plexiglass, aka Perspex), as polystyrene is more brittle and poly carbonate (Lexan) is more expensive, so that's where I would start. Eg, https://www.tapplastics.com/product/repair_products/plastic_adhesives/tap_acrylic_cement/130 The process isn't really "glue" at all, it's more accurately called solvent welding.

Super glue, while quite effective, will leave a haze that can get worse over time.

 

[HealeyRick]

Why not just cut a new piece of plastic? I bet David Townsend could come up with some kind of decal if you absolutely had to have the amco logo on it.

 

[TR3driver]

The AMCO wings aren't flat, they have a subtle curve to better fit along the side of the scuttle. I don't believe there is a decal on mine, if they bear the AMCO logo at all it is stamped into the plastic.

 

[Rut]

Thanks guys...the Tapp link has some very good info. The wings are in good shape except for a clean break and since they are period Amco (with the silver AMCO at the bottom) I wanted to try to save them and use them on my Bugeye if not the tr4. I think I'll give the solvent welding a try and see if it will wick in enough to look decent.
Thanks, Rut

 

[tomshobby]

I had one break vertically close to the center. Repaired it with clear epoxy. Eventually they the became scratched and I replaced them. Kept the old ones for spares.

 

[Rut]

These are in really good shape considering the car has been off the road since 78!
Rut