How to glue/join Perspex?

[Nick_H]

The flybridge screen has cracked on the boat, around the point where it's bolted to the frame. It's fairly easy to remove, and the crack is not in a prominent position, so i'm happy to fix it rather than replace it. What's the best way to join Perspex, I assume that is what the screen is made of?

 

[jimg]

Probably Lexan, google it and there is lots of info...

 

[EME]

Nick - In France :-
SADER FORTISSIMO ( gun applications) or
Acrifix 192 ( clear 'Weld-On' type bonding )
or IMPACT colle PVC

 

[nimbusgb]

First thing to do is to end drill the crack using a small diameter drill bit - 2mm is good. Unless you do this the crack will propagate further when the screen flexes.

 

[ccscott49]

Ether welds perspex.

 

[VicS]

Chloroform is the usual solvent to make low grade/temporary joints but no doubt other solvents would also be effective.
I would not use ether. but chloroform may not be easy to obtain. Ozone layer, Montreal Protocol and all that stuff!
A cement made by dissolving some Perspex swarf in chloroform will make a far better job.
The best results will be obtained using a two part cement. Google for "Tensol" you should find a single component cement which is, or at least was, a chloroform Perspex solution I believe but you should also find a 2 component cement.

The above applies to Perspex or other acrylic materials but if your screen is in fact Lexan or any other polycarbonate then it does not. (But if you have broken it it is very unlikely to be polycarbonate!) I do not know how to stick polycarbonates. Perspex (acrylic) I have done often but never polycarbonate.

If in the end you do make a new screen then you will have the choice of acrylic or the very impact resistant polycarbonate

 

[rosssavage]

Sort of related post - my 20yr old flybridge screen is crazy (literally) and needs replacing... anyone know of a good place to get some smoked lexan cut and drilled for reasonable beer tokens? Cheers!

 

[VicS]

Look in your Yellow Pages or stick polycarbonate and Windsor into Yell.com
I'm sure you'll find somewhere. Choice may be limited by wanting "smoked".
I think what you want will be described as "tinted" rather than smoked and there will be quite a range of different colour tints to choose from. you may be stuck with what is in stock unless you are prepared to pay for them to order a sheet of a specific colour.


Doubt you'll get it for beer tokens . Acrylic eg Perspex will be cheaper than polycarbonate

 

[rosssavage]

Thanks VicS.. Colour not too important, whatever is easiest - some sort of brown tint would be nice as that what it is now, but doesnt have to be perfect match.

Do you think perspex will be strong enough to take a wave? I have no experience in these matters so I don't want to overspend on polycarbonate, nor skimp with perspex and find it shatters first lump I go over... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Cheers

 

[jfm]

As EME said, if you want something off the shelf in France. There is good selection at Castorama

Your screen is perspex not polycarbonate (Lexan). I researched into this a bit for my flybridge screen job and while Lexan is stronger it is much softer so picks up surface scratches far too easily for a boat screen. It can be coated in a hard material but that costs a fortune and isn't good if you want to heat form it subsequently. Hence boat screens are invariably perspex/acrylic not lexan/polycarbonate
Hows Corsica? you must have had fantastic weahter last few days? Maybe update on t'other thread?

Update on your rental - about 60% occupied, so far. Empty this last weekend

 

[Nick_H]

thx. I guess the 60% occupied is in spells of 3 days so the port keeps the dough, or am I just cycnical?

Corsica is windy but wonderful, i'll do a full report when I get back. Heading back to Antibes tomorrow as need a couple of days prep before we fly home. Stopped by Douanes again in Bastia this morning, but no probs again.

thx to others for advice as well. What do you mean by "welding" perspex, the solvent turns the perspex gooey and you push the edges together and hold them while they set?

 

[jfm]

Ah, I didn't know about a 3 day rule. you mean the port keeps the dough if they churn the tenants? Must be a new rule cos on my statement last year I have credits for several 1 day rentals of my berth (or maybe they were 4-day stays...)

Castorama has a new glue advertised in store with a little video, turn right as you enter the shop. It's a 2 part, clear colour, seems amazingly strong from the demo videos.

Goodo re the douanes. I've never been stopped in Corsica. Pot luck I guess

Bon voyage for the crossing back to Antibes. Winds look great - max F3 all day, perfect

 

[Nick_H]

I was told about the 3 day rule, but never actually checked the contract so i'm not sure. Yep, winds looks good for the trip back, blowing strongish here at the mo', but localised wind and will be on the tail anyway.