Instructions for Use of Plasti-Mend White
Read all instructions and MSDS before beginning. Just like many products in everyday use, Plasti-Mend contains chemicals that can be harmful or even fatal if not used properly. It is user responsibility to take the necessary precautions for safe use.
Caution
Check the Material Safety Data Sheet for complete safety instructions. Plasti-Mend White requires special precautions for use. Use only in well ventilated area and with proper Personal Protection Equipment. A carbon filter vapor mask for organic solvents should be used even in a well ventilated area. A vapor mask cannot be relied on for protection from higher concentrations of Methylene Chloride that will develop in areas not well ventilated. It is the responsibility of the user to determine the proper precautions for their specific application based upon current industry standards.
Flammable — Keep away from all sources of ignition. Vapors may travel to remote ignition source and flash back.
Plasti-Mend can be stored before or after use by turning the can upside down to allow the Plasti-Mend to seal the can so the solvents cannot evaporate. As long as the Plasti-Mend does not dry out it should be good to use. The shipping clips should be reinstalled to keep the lid on when pressure develops due to heat, changes in atmospheric pressure, etc.
Preparation
The article for repair must be clean and dry. There should be no moisture on the repair area. Use denatured alcohol to clean any loose dirt or other residues for about 6-8 inches around the repair area. Wipe it dry and use the cleaner/primer to clean and prep the repair area. Do not allow the cleaner/primer onto any area not covered by the actual repair. Larger areas to be recoated should be cleaned/de-glossed with the cleaner/primer available in pints from Plasti-Mend. Plasti-Mend White works best between 50°- 70°f. but can be used outside that temperature range. Do not allow direct sunlight to heat the repair area. It will increase evaporation of solvents causing bubbles in the repair.
The Plasti-Mend White Repair Kit or one pint of Plasti-Mend White will patch a 3-4 inch hole or an 18-24 inch crack depending upon the situation. One quart will recoat approximately a 3×3 foot area with three coats applied by roller.
Plasti-Mend White cannot be left open for extended periods. The solvents that are necessary for proper performance evaporate quickly. The lid must be tightly replaced as soon as possible after use. For proper performance, if the plastic resin becomes thick do not attempt to use. This is a sign that too much of the solvents have evaporated. It can be thinned with the Plasti-Mend Thinner. Do not use the cleaner/primer to thin except in very small quantities. It does not contain the proper solvents. Shortly after opening, the can and contents may begin to get cold and cause condensation. This is due to the rapid evaporative process. Condensation may be noticed on the surface of the product soon after application also. This is normal but all condensation should be dry before recoating.
Plasti-Mend White, the thinner and the solvent cleaner will damage many plastics and finishes upon contact.
Cracks may be due to improper support of the item at installation causing excessive flexing. This should be corrected to prevent further problems.
Tinting
Plasti-Mend White can be tinted with the Almond colorant provided by Plasti-Mend. It may be necessary to add a few drops of paint thinner or even the PM Cleaner/Primer to the colorant due to thickening caused by evaporation.
Sixteen drops per pint will provide a Light Almond or Biscuit color. It will show darker until it dries completely. It is best to add small amounts of colorant at a time. Apply a sample and let it dry completely if trying to match colors exactly.
P-M White can also be tinted with an industrial grade colorant normally used for oil based or urethane and epoxy paints by your local paint store to match any color. Just take a sample of the required color to the paint store and let them scan it for proper coloration for a white base. The color may appear darker until it dries and it may take several days to dry completely to the exact color. Plasti-Mend Black and White can be used interchangeably or together. They can be mixed for color matching to shades of grey used on car top cargo boxes etc.
For Cracks
For sinks and shower pans use a mesh along the crack. Brush or roll a layer of the plastic resin along the crack area and immediately apply the mesh. Press down with the brush or roller. The P-M White will need to be applied in several light coats especially on vertical surfaces. It can be thinned with the Plasti-Mend thinner to allow longer working time but this makes it easier to run if applied in heavier coats. It can also be thinned with the EWT (Extended Work Time) Thinner for a longer working time but it takes longer for the repair to dry.
Try to get some resin into the crack if possible to bond the crack back together. For shrouds and similar articles, apply resin and the mesh along the crack on the back side and brush another layer of resin on over it. .The brush or roller can be wrapped in plastic and saved for later coats. Allow to harden for 2-4 hours or longer between coats before applying more coats of resin. Many times cracks may be due to the plastic being stretched too thin during the thermoforming process. Apply resin in a larger cover area anywhere this seems to be the case.
For Holes
Plasti-Mend White is not recommended for larger holes over 3-4 inches although it can be used. Plasti-mend Black is recommended for repairing larger holes and recoat with White or use sheet ABS plastic with the Plasti-Mend applied to both surfaces to make a patch. The ABS sheet plastic can also be cut to fit the hole and patched into the hole with Plasti-Mend. The sheet plastic can be formed to fit any contour by heating to 300 degrees and forming to the contour. For using the mesh, cut the mesh about 1 – 2 inches larger than the hole. It can be in a number of pieces to overlap to fit uneven areas better but the hole must be covered. Brush a layer of the plastic resin on the repair area. Quickly fit the mesh over the hole. Don’t worry if the plastic resin starts to “skim over” before the patch is in place. Use the brush to flatten and position the mesh and press into the Plasti-Mend so the hole is covered evenly and completely with the mesh. Brush a heavy coat of resin over the mesh. The brush can be wrapped in plastic and saved for later coats. Allow the resin to harden for 2-4 hours or longer. If any mesh has to be trimmed or rough spots sanded down, it may take longer. Several additional coats should be added. The resin should extend 2-3 inches around the hole with later coats concentrated in the area of the hole to build up the plastic in the area of the hole.
Recoating
After cracks or holes are repaired, the item can be recoated to a uniform finish and color using a small touch-up roller. An item can also be recoated to change colors. See Tinting. When recoating, the Plasti-Mend must be applied quickly without going over the area after the plastic begins to set. If the coat begins to dry before finishing, leave it until it dries and finish the coat later.
The Plasti-Mend will blend in when it is finished later. The Plasti-Mend may look rough with roller marks shortly after application. This is normal and if left alone it will smooth out as it sets. Smaller areas can be retouched after the coat dries. If recoating the whole shower pan or other large item, apply to the sides and corners first and allow to dry well before coating the bottom. This will prevent the bottom coat from pulling the sides loose and large bubbles forming in the corners as the coat shrinks from drying. Do not apply more than two coats in a 24 hour period to avoid problems. If item is to be in use, it may be better to apply multiple coats over a longer period of time, for example, one or two a week. The Plasti-Mend can be sanded for finishing but the small pin holes should be refilled with Plasti-Mend or body filler prior to painting.
Proper Disposal – Protect our environment
Empty containers and unused, unwanted resin or cleaner/thinner should be opened to allow solvents to evaporate and degrade. Organic solvents degrade to natural compounds much faster in air than in soil or water. The solvents in Plasti-Mend are not considered “greenhouse gases”. The dry containers can be disposed of the same as paint cans; recycled or in normal trash. Do not dispose of closed containers. Do not dump on the ground or where the solvents can enter water drainage. The dried resin can be safely disposed of in normal trash.
Plasti-Mend assumes no liability for any damages or loss of any kind that might arise from the improper or incorrect use of its products.
Plasti-Mend attempts to present information to assist in the proper use of its products but assumes no liability for the interpretation, mis-interpretation or completeness of that information.
This information is provided for guidance but it is the responsibility of the user to determine proper precautions and applications as related to the specific use of the product.
e-mail sales@plasti-mend.com Customer Service Phone 800-821-1835