Anyone know how to repair thin plastic??

**Thevail** · 04-27-2009, 02:55 PM

The problem: My several year old carpet cleaning machine has a crack in the "solution/clean water" bottle that goes on the back of the machine. The plastic it's made of is pretty thin like a 2 liter soda bottle type of plastic. I think it just got a bit brittle over the years from hot water and cleaning solution.

Everything else works fine. But it's an older model and Bissel no longer supports it, and doesn't carry the tank. I've called around (the nearest place that could have it is 70 miles away..and they don't..) and I can't find one.

It's the tiniest crack, but it's in the square corner where it locks into the machine. Can I repair it. I mean it doesn't seem as if it should be that tricky, I just don't know how. Any and all ideas welcome!

**Lady_V** · 04-27-2009, 03:11 PM

What about a tube of silicone? The local hardware store should be able to point you to a waterproof one.

The Old Man has to use a tube of silicone to patch holes he had to drill in to their roofs... if it works to keep the rain out, it should work on your machine...

**starsapphire** · 04-27-2009, 03:19 PM

like PP said, silicone or a tube of fish tank glue should work

**sabrelvssammy** · 04-27-2009, 04:02 PM

i would try something from the plumbing dept...check at your home center and explain what you are trying to fix and that it needs to be waterproof and possibly under pressure... you probably could use pvc glue (its the blue stuff that you see pipes glued together with)....it comes in a can with a sponge type applicator where you could just paint it on the crack... i would do a layer-let dry and do another.... it is usable within about 10 mins of application....if i understand correctly you say its in the corner of the bottle ? i think i would also try to pour a small about into the bottle and let it run into the corner and dry there....(that way you have a repair on the inside & out)...and this should help strengthen the weak plastic... (it dries quickly so the faster you can get it into the corner the better....) it won't hurt anything if it sticks to and dries on the side of the bottle...

.good luck...and let us know what works coz i have a cleaner too and maybe one day might have the same problem....

**Thevail** · 04-27-2009, 04:03 PM

Good to hear from you Sabre...I was wondering where you'd got to!

**sabrelvssammy** · 04-27-2009, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by Thevail

Good to hear from you Sabre...I was wondering where you'd got to!

thank you....someone DOES love me.....

i am so pooped from being frugal and staying home all the time and actually getting stuff done around here....today we borrowed a tractor and re-graded about 1/2 our yard and raked & seeded & re-raked it...(it ended up being about 1/2 acre done)....

so i 'crawled' into the house about 2 hrs ago and threw myself upon the couch and fell promptly asleep...and then i awoke and what do i do... reach for the computer which is sitting on the coffee table in front of me and jump on the village to see what i have missed today....(i haven't even sat up up yet).... geez.. i need help....lol

**mombottoo** · 04-27-2009, 09:26 PM

My dh just repaired both square corners on ours...he used plumber's epoxy putty (he says it comes in 2 sticks that you knead together like clay). You should be able to find it at your local hardware store. He also said he did the repairs from the inside by dropping a ball into the tank & he used a dowel as a ramming rod to make it go through the corners (we had actual holes where the plastic had broken). Make sure you form it just like using modeling clay on the outside, let it dry and then file off any areas that need to be filed...it should work.

**Pemberleyan** · 04-28-2009, 07:29 AM

I have used a glue called E-6000 for things like this. It's also called Goop by another brand. It comes in a tube and is available at Walmart, Michael's or any craft type store.

Oh, I need to mention that the way I repair it is not by placing glue between the two sides of the crack but more over top on the outside. I spread a band of glue about a quarter inch wide along both sides of the crack.

**Thevail** · 04-28-2009, 11:06 AM

I used gorilla glue last night first on the inside and then on the outside and set it up to dry. It appears to be holding. I'm going to fill it with the hot water and see if she holds..I'll update later.

**Thevail** · 04-28-2009, 12:03 PM

The livingroom floor is done..and it worked!!

I think if I had it to do over again I might use a glue that doesn't "foam" like gorilla glue though. I had to be super careful to make sure the part still fit, and I think a sturdy glue that stays the size you put it on might have been easier. I used the gorilla glue because I already had it anyway, and it forms a molecular bond with plastic.

Now to see how long it lasts.