A tiny crack

jimgreen · #1 02-18-2010, 05:01 PM

I guess I just joined that 'not so exclusive' club. I found this tiny crack at the most forward hole on my canopy. How would you stop drill and repair this?
The hole is just on the inner surface at the moment, but I'm sure with time it will propagate. At the moment I am proposing to make a 1/4" hole about 1/2" away from the screw hole in line with the crack. Then wick some glue into the crack with the runny stuff. Then fill the hole with a piece cut from a 1/4" rod.
Any perspex gurus with advice?

frazitl · #2 02-18-2010, 06:38 PM

I wouldn't drill a stop hole that far away from the end of the crack. I'd bet big bucks (a good beer anyway) that the crack would do it's best to run away from the intended course. I think I'd try just the glue and watch it closely. If it does run, you can stop drill the end of the crack later when it gets a little further away from the big hole.

Good luck...

WingsOnWheels · #3 02-18-2010, 08:36 PM

What about oversizing the hole and using a larger rivet or a screw?

LettersFromFlyoverCountry · #4 02-18-2010, 10:48 PM

Is this the most forward hole? I think every crack I've ever seen on an Rv canopy has been on the most forward hole (well, except on MINE, which is the rearmost hole). I didn't drill that hole. In this case, would using this hole exacerbate the problem?

jimgreen · #5 02-19-2010, 12:23 AM

Thanks for the replies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Collins

Is this the most forward hole? I think every crack I've ever seen on an Rv canopy has been on the most forward hole (well, except on MINE, which is the rearmost hole). I didn't drill that hole. In this case, would using this hole exacerbate the problem?

Bob, I'm thinking I probably shouldn't put a screw in that hole.

Terry, I think you are right. I can't really stop drill it until the crack moves further away from the screw hole. Perhaps if I don't put a screw in that hole and make sure it's well supported with fiberglass it'll be OK. Yes, I'm whistling.

Bob Axsom · #6 02-19-2010, 12:26 AM

This is pure speculation because I have never had the problem but looking at your photo and considering what I would do if I were faced with I would not be able to let it go unchecked. I don't know what kind of access you have but I think I would try to find a tool that would work in that area and try to remove the crack. Maybe a small round file, a #11 X-acto blade, a set of Dremel tools or maybe your countersink tool on the side with the crack would work. What you propose to do sounds bad to me.

Bob Axsom

Rick6a · #7 02-19-2010, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Axsom

This is pure speculation because I have never had the problem........a set of Dremel tools.....What you propose to do sounds bad to me.Bob Axsom

I'm with Bob on this one. Again, pure speculation on my part, because I've never been faced with the challenge. It appears the crack is limited to a small portion of the total thickness of the plexiglas. If that is true, I would be inclined to remove the crack by just barely blending it away primarily using a small round stone, or series of small round stones set in a rotary tool. I suggest you try this method on a small test piece of plexiglas. I think you'll find that deftly using a stone in a rotary tool, you'd have to be a Neanderthal to aggravate an existing crack.

manuel gonzalez · #8 02-19-2010, 06:37 AM

Just run a "red hot" wire through the whole, wide enough to consume the crack.

Not my idea, it came from someone who works with plexiglass for a living.

manny G
RV4 N146ZX

N282S · #9 02-19-2010, 06:44 AM

I agree with Bob, Rick, and Manuel. My very first thought was to melt the plastic. But then I thought, whoa, that's stupid. But...

If you use the grinding stone at even a moderate speed, I think you will melt the plastic - which may not be a bad thing. Sure, its going to change the stresses and structure, but we already do that the moment we stick a drill bit into it. So, I agree with these guys, just try to dress the crack out, blending it into the flat face of the canopy and then polish the area smooth. You have nothing to lose with this method. If the crack reappears, then stop drill it and weld-on glue it.

islandmonkey · #10 02-19-2010, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manuel gonzalez

Just run a "red hot" wire through the whole, wide enough to consume the crack.

Not my idea, it came from someone who works with plexiglass for a living.

manny G
RV4 N146ZX

I suspect just a little bit more information is needed before this is tried. I have never heard of this procedure before and I would be very reluctant to try it on my canopy.