Need advice on repairing 69 speaker grills

[Greg L.]

What is a good way to repair a cracked speaker grill/kick panel on my 69? Nothing is missing, it(drivers side) has a couple cracks that I want to fix. It looks like the kind of plastic that models are made from so would model glue do the trick?

I guess epoxy might work too but at this point I'm just guessing so if someone could let me know what works best I'd appreciate it.

Oh and while I'm at it, what would be a good type of paint to use to refinish it afterwards? I'll do the repairs from the backside but because of some of the white plastic showing through from wear, I'd like to freshen them up. I have some of the SEM Trim Black but I think that is just for metal parts...

Thanks, Greg

[David B.]

Re: Need advice on repairing 69 speaker grills

Greg,

I don't know what glue would be best for that, but the kick panels are also being repro'd now - I don't know the quality. There is a pair of them on EBay for example. Also, some original ones currently listed.

I have found some plastics respond well to MEK, but it is nasty stuff - gloves and ventilation needed. It will also ruin the finish if you get any on it. It can be injected between the cracks to re-bond them with many plastics.

I think for the paint, I would try one of the paints that are formulated for plastic. I believe Krylon makes some.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-82-Corvette-RH-Kick-Panel-Black_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ40017QQihZ013QQitemZ230226302108QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Dave

[John H.]

Re: Need advice on repairing 69 speaker grills

I have some of the SEM Trim Black but I think that is just for metal parts...

Thanks, Greg

SEM Trim Black #39143 works great on plastic.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Need advice on repairing 69 speaker grills

Greg:
I have used 2 different glues on plastic that claim they bond ANY plastic and they work great. I have them in my shop and I will be going in tomrrow (Sunday) so I will get the names and post them then. I have used them to bond emergency brake handle hand grips very successfully so I'm sure they will work on speaker grills.
Jeff

[Greg L.]

Re: Need advice on repairing 69 speaker grills

Thanks guys.

I checked out the ebay listing and although it say that it's for 68-82 the vent is slightly different and the cut-out between the vent and speaker grill is WAY bigger on the repop than my original one.

I've used MEk at work and yes it is nasty stuff and would probably work but I don't want to experiment with my original kick panels so I think it's best if I hang on until I get the proper glue.

It's good to know that I can use the SEM trim paint!

[Chuck S.]

Re: Need advice on repairing 69 speaker grills

What is a good way to repair a cracked speaker grill/kick panel on my 69? Nothing is missing, it(drivers side) has a couple cracks that I want to fix. It looks like the kind of plastic that models are made from so would model glue do the trick?

I guess epoxy might work too but at this point I'm just guessing so if someone could let me know what works best I'd appreciate it.

Oh and while I'm at it, what would be a good type of paint to use to refinish it afterwards? I'll do the repairs from the backside but because of some of the white plastic showing through from wear, I'd like to freshen them up. I have some of the SEM Trim Black but I think that is just for metal parts...

Thanks, Greg

I spent awhile typing a long post about this product, but I must have clicked the wrong button, because it fell into a crack.

Anyway, here's the condensed version...a lot of automotive interior trim is molded out of ABS. If your kick panels are ABS, this will work...I've used it very successfully. Find it at automotive parts stores in the engine sealant and other Permatex products section.

http://www.versachem.com/catalog.aspx?prodID=49

[Joe L.]

Re: Need advice on repairing 69 speaker grills

What is a good way to repair a cracked speaker grill/kick panel on my 69? Nothing is missing, it(drivers side) has a couple cracks that I want to fix. It looks like the kind of plastic that models are made from so would model glue do the trick?

I guess epoxy might work too but at this point I'm just guessing so if someone could let me know what works best I'd appreciate it.

Oh and while I'm at it, what would be a good type of paint to use to refinish it afterwards? I'll do the repairs from the backside but because of some of the white plastic showing through from wear, I'd like to freshen them up. I have some of the SEM Trim Black but I think that is just for metal parts...

Thanks, Greg

Greg-----


Epoxy will work just fine on this type of plastic. I would make the repair from the reverse side only, carefully applying the epoxy to minimize or eliminate any "squeeze-through" to the face side. I have repaired emergency brake consoles this way and they came out perfect.

[Jeremy D.]

Re: Need advice on repairing 69 speaker grills

...and if worse comes to worse, swap season is coming, and that's a fairly common swap meet part...at least I seem to see a few...