3 Tips To Keep In Mind Before Attempting Your First Plastic Welding Job
Posted on: 10 December 2016
When it comes to welding, metal is the material that usually comes to mind. But there are some cases where it might be necessary to know how to do some plastic welding. If you've never done this before, it might be best to reach out to a local company for plastic welding to take advantage of their services. But if you want to see if you can tackle the problem yourself, you're going to need to be prepared for the job. Here are 3 tips to keep in mind before attempting to use plastic welding to repair an item.
Wipe It Down
In order for a plastic welding job to be successful, you will need to make sure there is not any oil, dirt or grease in the way. Get a soft sponge with warm water and wipe down the entire area and then dry. Don't use any harsh chemicals to help you clean as there can be residue left over that can interfere with the welding process.
Remove Paint or Any Artificial Coating
Once the item you intend to weld has been cleaned and you can see it's natural surface, you need to figure out if there is a coat of paint or something else that has been put on the surface. If there is, it needs to go. A sanding disc should work well here, but keep in mind that plastics are very delicate when it comes to abrasives so make sure you are careful and don't damage whatever it is you are trying to remove the paint from.
Take Protective Steps
Plastic welding is usually done with a hand tool and might not seem as complicated as metal welding but you still need to take steps to protect yourself, both during the preparation and the actual welding itself. Safety goggles and some kind of covering or gloves for your hands is key. It's a good idea to open a window or have a ventilator running during the sanding process and during the weld itself as some byproducts like dust can be generated.
If you want to attempt your own plastic welding job, you first need to make sure the surface is properly prepared. This includes wiping it down to remove all dirt, grease or other grime. If the plastic has been painted or given some kind of artificial surface, you will need to use a sander to carefully strip down to the actual plastic itself. If this all seems like too much work, there's no shame in contacting a company that offers plastic welding services for assistance. A company like MGM Plastics may be able to meet your needs in this area.
Share