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Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? #8602291 05/21/22 03:46 PM
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freerange Offline OP
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We are building several bow blinds out of polyethylene round tanks. Built several for rifle before. Trying to save money by using slightly damaged tanks and some have cracks or slices in the tops. Trying to figure a way to waterproof those cracks. Knowledgeable guy tells me that polyethylene in particular is specifically designed so that “nothing” will stick to it so they can put whatever gunk in them they want and still wash out easily.
Lots of adhesives including JBWeld out there that are supposed to work on “some plastics”. Also devices are made for welding plastic(you tube).
Any ideas on how to waterproof these cracks??


At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR
Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
Re: Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? [Re: freerange] #8602298 05/21/22 03:51 PM
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At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR
Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
Re: Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? [Re: freerange] #8602302 05/21/22 03:58 PM
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Re: Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? [Re: freerange] #8602307 05/21/22 04:03 PM
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Plastic welder and P.E. rod.


Originally Posted by unclebubba
Just to make sure that it is done thoroughly, I go both ways.

Re: Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? [Re: freerange] #8602312 05/21/22 04:08 PM
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freerange Offline OP
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STX, as usual you are an amazing source on info. That fix appears to be $500ish for tool and then some hassle to deal with. I can buy a whole tank that’s not cracked for $300. Probably not the poor mans fix I need but thanks for info.

Last edited by freerange; 05/21/22 04:09 PM.

At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR
Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
Re: Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? [Re: freerange] #8602329 05/21/22 04:37 PM
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Silicone might stick but does not have very much strength.
I would talk to the pros:
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Re: Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? [Re: freerange] #8602335 05/21/22 04:40 PM
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Try some gorilla glue.



Re: Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? [Re: freerange] #8602345 05/21/22 05:07 PM
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freerange Offline OP
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Good idea Jeh.
68, lots of stuff like gorilla etc but just like to know “for sure” what should work instead of try this and that.
I’m waiting for Hud to suggest duct tape.


At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR
Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
Re: Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? [Re: freerange] #8602349 05/21/22 05:15 PM
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Free, try some of the Flex Seal tape. Comes in a variety of sizes and is waterproof. Might rough up the outside of the tank prior to applying, but that should last a long time and be an easy “cheaper” solution.

The flexseal tape isnt the cheapest out there, but not 500 bucks either up

And will these bow blinds be ground based or elevated? If ground based you can easily reapply if the seal is broken. If elevated, i would put some flexseal tape on the outside and a generous layer of some sort of polymer paint or JB weld or something on the inside to give extra protection for long term.

Last edited by Texas buckeye; 05/21/22 05:19 PM.
Re: Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? [Re: freerange] #8602360 05/21/22 05:30 PM
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Rough up the surface inside and out with sand paper and clean well. Drill small holes along each side of crack and sew it together with copper wire. Then coat inside and out with JB Weld such that the JB Weld goes through the small holes to reach the other side and bond to itself. 2cents


Re: Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? [Re: freerange] #8602361 05/21/22 05:30 PM
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I was going to suggest a product I use with boats, but looking it up, it's not going to work for polyethylene. Because Polyethylene is also used for tanks on boats, you might go to a West Marine and see what they may suggest. I did run across this, that might be a good tip for when you do find the right product.

https://www.practical-sailor.com/blog/tips-for-caulking-polyethylene

Re: Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? [Re: freerange] #8602367 05/21/22 05:46 PM
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TexBuck-you know me-it’s elevated 15’ish. We looked at many of flex seal products yesterday and tried some in a tube and not thinking gonna work good.
StephB-probably a good idea but I am WAY too hyper to go through that.
Sniper-just glanced at your link and it confirmed that polyethylene is very hard to get a bond. Thanks, I’ll read closer.


At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR
Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
Re: Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? [Re: freerange] #8602373 05/21/22 06:05 PM
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Silicone will not stick. It might hang on for a while, but you will be able to peal it off with no effort.
I have repaired cracks in tanks by using a long thinner scrap piece of HDPE overlapping the crack and by putting bolts (stainless) every few inches on both sides. I have even had them hold water without a problem.
I put Lexel (seems to stick better than silicone) between the layers to just fill the gaps between the pieces.


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Re: Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? [Re: freerange] #8602379 05/21/22 06:23 PM
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What about eternabond tape that is used on RV roof leaks?

Re: Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? [Re: freerange] #8602390 05/21/22 06:56 PM
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Nothing I believe is going to adhere very well to polyethylene. Here are a few ideas.

https://www.google.com/search?q=how...EAoAEBsAEe&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-hp


To be determined
Re: Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? [Re: freerange] #8602395 05/21/22 07:03 PM
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I've had good results using a soldering iron and plastic rod to weld kayaks, gas tanks on atv's, etc. Run the iron along the seam to weld what you can on first pass then make another pass with the rod to fill in.

Re: Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? [Re: TKM] #8602424 05/21/22 07:47 PM
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Originally Posted by TKM
I've had good results using a soldering iron and plastic rod to weld kayaks, gas tanks on atv's, etc. Run the iron along the seam to weld what you can on first pass then make another pass with the rod to fill in.

This, but we used an old style soldering iron with 3/4" wide blade on it.


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Re: Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? [Re: freerange] #8604152 05/24/22 05:34 PM
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Thanks for ideas guys. I’m gonna try an $80 plastic welder that I guess blows heat.
After some thought I basically have two issues. One is the structural integrity caused by a long crack. And then the weather sealing. Some fixes might do both but I may have to bridge across the crack by screwing metal or extra tank material and then try to seal.


At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR
Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
Re: Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? [Re: freerange] #8604177 05/24/22 06:31 PM
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Originally Posted by freerange
Thanks for ideas guys. I’m gonna try an $80 plastic welder that I guess blows heat.
After some thought I basically have two issues. One is the structural integrity caused by a long crack. And then the weather sealing. Some fixes might do both but I may have to bridge across the crack by screwing metal or extra tank material and then try to seal.


Plastic stapler kit (melts stainless staples into crack) to strengthen, ( https://www.ebay.com/itm/334442114117?hash=item4dde4dac45:g:MGIAAOSwMNxigSwk )
then hot-air plastic welder w/hdpe rod to seal.

Re: Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? [Re: freerange] #8604206 05/24/22 07:13 PM
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Look at G-Flex epoxy by West Systems. I have used it to wet out fiberglass for repairs on polyethylene boats. It is structurally sound and has lasted years for me. I can't remember exactly why, but you have to just flash it briefly with a torch before application. Does something to the surface of the plastic. YouTube and Google can provide the details. It's under $40 for a kit with the epoxy and a fiberglass patch.

Re: Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? [Re: freerange] #8604218 05/24/22 07:24 PM
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Oldoak, it seems some applications don’t require a rod. If so could i use scrap off the tank as a rod?
Hot stapler seems like great idea and caught just in time to go back into store and get.
Love this forum for ideas!!!

Last edited by freerange; 05/24/22 07:25 PM.

At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR
Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
Re: Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? [Re: freerange] #8604292 05/24/22 09:15 PM
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scrap material off the same tank would probably be the best material for a filler/patch/rod

Re: Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? [Re: freerange] #8604305 05/24/22 09:38 PM
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Flex tape?




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Re: Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? [Re: freerange] #8604335 05/24/22 10:19 PM
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Rip some of the leftover material 3” to 4” wide and put some 1” metal building roof sealant tape down under it and fasten with metal building roofing lap screws.
Do not over torque the screws.


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Re: Glue/bond/weld polyethylene plastic?? [Re: freerange] #8604414 05/24/22 11:52 PM
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Too many good ideas to thank everyone individually. I tried the $80 plastic welder. It blows adjustable hot air. It seemed to work pretty good. Im horrible at stuff like that and Im sure with practice it would do much better. There seems to be a little skill needed to get the heat and speed etc as needed. It was slow and tedious for me and I dont like slow and tedious. Maybe one of the other guys will do better with it. I ordered the "hot stapler" for $30 and I really think that will help. Maybe a combination of some of these ideas will get us close enough. Any more ideas, Im still learning.


At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR
Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
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