Plastics Repair: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2018 Ford Flex. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

For information on Ford Color Coded Illustrations, refer to OEM COLOR CODING

Material

Item	Specification
Motorcraft® Plastic Bonding AdhesiveTA-9	--

WARNING: Always wear protective equipment including eye protection with side shields, and a dust mask when sanding or grinding. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury.

WARNING: Always refer to Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) when handling chemicals and wear protective equipment as directed. Examples may include but are not limited to respirators and chemically resistant gloves. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury.

In deciding whether to repair or install a new component, follow these guidelines.
- Is a part readily available?
- Can the damaged part be economically returned to its original strength and appearance, or will the labor cost exceed the cost of a new component?
- Will repair provide for the fastest, highest quality repair?
NOTE: Never apply solvents such as lacquer thinner or reducer at any stage of plastic repair. Solvents, cleaners and water are absorbed by many types of plastics and by the glass fibers used for reinforcements. If this occurs, the plastic may swell in the area of repair and cause the repair to fail. Remove cleaners and water quickly and use air and heat to speed up drying.

NOTE: During the repair of many plastics and particularly polyolefin plastics, an adhesion promoter must be applied to the substrate to allow repair materials and paint to bond correctly. Reapplication is required when grinding or sanding through the sealer or primered layers.

NOTE: When possible, it is recommended to carry out as much of the plastic repair as possible on the vehicle. Parts mounted on the vehicle are held in correct alignment throughout the repair. Attempting to repair the part off the vehicle may cause misalignment. This could lead to failure of the repair.

Select the correct repair method by identifying the type of plastic being repaired. For additional information, refer to Plastics Identification in this information to determine the type of plastic being repaired.
NOTE: Always refer to the manufacturer's label directions for the type of repair materials, fillers and bonding agents being used as they are material specific.

Determine whether a reinforcement piece is needed as a backer on large repairs.
- Construct a reinforcement piece from a scrap piece of the type of plastic being repaired and follow manufacturer's label directions for the type of system being used.
- When repairing Sheet-Molded Composite(SMC), a reinforcement piece can be constructed using several layers of glass cloth saturated with resin or structural adhesive. The weave of the cloth or screening should be loose enough to allow the resin to thoroughly penetrate. Reinforcement should cover the entire area of damage and extend outward beyond the damage or joint area.