.:.

I know of a few different ways to do this, but I am not 100% on exactly what type of plastic is used in a 1999 XJ interior. ABS, Polycarbonate, PVC, Polypropylene?

Worst case scenario I can fill them with something like one of those "plastic welding" kits, but I want to see if there is a specific compound for this kind of thing that might be a little better. I am not too worried about color as they have discoloration and I have some color matched Chrysler Agate paint made for exactly this application.

I'd really like to hear whatever ideas you folks have and please let me know if you've actually done it before. If you have pictures that is even better.

Thanks

tech

A picture of the holes would help .

BlueRidgeMark

The best way to fix holes in plastic is to replace the part.

Password12345678

So you can use hot glue, but don't fully heat it up, just make it warm enough that's malleable. You can then put a glob on the hole, press it in there firmly, and scrape off the excess with your fingernail once it hardens.

I'm not sure how you managed to put a hole in plastic as it usually just cracks. Is it in the dash?

.:.

Yeah, I might do that eventually, but I want to try to fix it and see what it looks like. Seems like a waste to toss out an entire plastic console shroud just because of a 1/4" hole. Think I might try one of those plastic "welding" kits and fix some cracks and other things too. I just wanted to see if anyone had an idea I hadn't thought of.

.:.

Previous owner put switches in what I think are kind of weird places. I want to move them all to the right of the shifter, which will leave me with 4 open holes. Three under the steering column for lockers and compressor and one on the console right under the lid. Hot glue is a good idea. I'm going to try that.

Ultimately the holes do not matter at all, but I want to take this as an opportunity to figure out a way to repair this kind of thing. It's more like a (kinda boring) "learning experience" than anything else.

Thank you.

BlueRidgeMark

You can fix it structurally with plastic welding, but it's really, really hard to match the texture.

bryzmon

You could look into marine epoxy. Filler can be added to help firm it up while you work with it. Typically it's white in color, but I think you can add color tint to it.

dave1123

If you're really handy, try melting some of the original plastic from a spare part to use as filler. I've worked in the plastics industry for over 40 years and as long as you don't get it too hot, it shouldn't degrade. Texturing the fill is the touchy part. I've seen wrinkled aluminum foil used as a backer when filling it and it comes pretty close. 400* is about the limit with most plastics.

fb97xj1

The door panels, and rear upper sill are HCPP (High Crystalline Polypropylene). I think the center console is as well. The trim on the side of the seats are PP (Polypropylene). The rear lower sill by the liftgate latch and the door panel inserts are ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene). ABS can be mended with acetone. Acetone dissolves ABS, so dont get crazy with it.