Car Molding Repair

[lyle11]

This is a very small project. I have a 2013 Toyota with a cracked front molding. All I’m looking to do is to pull the two pieces together and apply something on the hidden side that will hold the two pieces together and not crack apart.

I realize I can search the Internet for repair ideas, but if someone on this forum has used a specific product or method to do a similar repair I’d trust that more. I’m thinking that you clean the back side and roughen it with sandpaper and apply some kind of fiberglass patch.

Just looking for suggestions. I’m not concerned about filling in the front, exposed side and making the crack completely disappear. Just looking to close the crack with something that holds.

Thanks

[Don McCombs]

Have you tried Super Glue?

[lyle11]

I have not tried anything yet. If you think super glue would work it can’t hurt to try. Right now I have to wait for a warm day. Also, it’s been cracked like this for quite a while and I’m thinking the two haves aren’t going to fit like a puzzle piece.

[Don McCombs]

Can’t hurt to try. I’ve run across two types. A thin viscosity one, made by Permatex, and a thicker one made by Gorilla. I think I’d use the thicker one in that application. You’ll have to hold them securely until it sets, so pull up a stool.

[Jim Becker]

I don't know anything about that sort of repair. The only repair work I have done on similar parts didn't involve splicing back as you are looking at. Here are a couple observations: Since that part has some flex, any adhesive you use needs to be able to flex after it is cured. There are commercial products just for that type repair. I don't know if other generic adhesives will work as well, but it is something to consider.

Here is a guy that seems convincing:
https://www.autobodysupply.net/articles.asp?id=135
He is taking his repair farther than you are trying to go.

[lyle11]

I’m thinking that with the vibration and flexing it’ll having to be a flexible patch of similar material that spans over both sides of the crack. I’ll take a look at what Jim sent. Worst case, I drill a hole on each side and run a couple of stainless steel bolts through a strip of fiberglass or similar material on the hidden side. But, I’d rather try an adhesive only patching approach first.

We only put about 6,000 miles on this car annually. I tried to trade it this week for a newer car but couldn’t make a deal and now I’m kind of glad I didn’t. It’s reliable and driven 80 miles a week close to home. Probably makes sense to keep it. I was just trying to get away from my usual approach which is to drive a car until it’s not worth the repair cost then sell it for the junk price. Since it’s always with 20 miles of home and not a long trip car keeping it for awhile makes sense. So, I figured since I plan to keep it another year or two I might as well fix a couple of little things like this that I didn’t think twice about before.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

You might look into some of the Flex Seal products. They have surprised me on their quality.

[Urbish]

I've 'sutured' up cracks like that before with small zip ties or stainless wire. Doesn't hide the crack, but keeps it from flopping around and getting worse.

[Gary Dotson]

I think it depends a great deal on what the material is. If it's urethane, like a lot of bumper covers, it will require a specialized adhesive. I've done as Urbish mentioned but in this case, I'd be tempted to simply patch the back side with Gorilla tape. That stuff holds surprisingly well.

[Winfield Dave]

A friend who does autobody on the side used this.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

A friend who does autobody on the side used this.IMG_2210 red.jpg

That sounds like Super Glue and baking soda.

[Rob in NH]

SEM makes a product called Quick 50 , its used to repair flexible bumper covers, I use it all the time and recommend it. It sets up really quick so you need to work fast.

[outdoors4evr]

I would do this in two steps. The second being the real solution, the first just to help it stay together during the repair.
1) Temporarily bond together with a quick setting glue (or 5-minute epoxy)
2) Fiberglass cloth and resin on the back side. spanning 4" on each side of the break.

[Rob in NH]

fiberglass will fail over time, it needs to be flexible