advice on repairing polyethylene tank....

Hi Everyone, Good Morning. My polyethylene water tank has a small crack at the top; I would appreciate advice on how to repair it given that most anything that I can think of will not adhere to its surface....Thank You. Fair Winds And Following Seas. Bill (for off contact: ph#: 303-444-2307

On 2/8/2012 3:25 PM, bill plywaski wrote: > Hi Everyone, > Good Morning. > My polyethylene water tank has a small crack at the top; I would > appreciate advice on how to repair it given that most anything that I > can think of will not adhere to its surface.... Gougeon Bros. (West System epoxies) have a technique for using epoxy on plastics. It involves use of a propane torch waved lightly over the surface just before applying the adhesive. It apparently oxidizes the plasticizers that interfere with adhesion. Check their web site for info. I have used epoxy to repair a very old Thetford Porta-Potti lower (sewage) tank. This was before the Gougeon process was devised. I just roughed it up and applied epoxy and fiberglass. It has endured--I'm using that Porta-Potti on my Cal 20. I just try to avoid stressing the corners, where the patches are. I think it's a polyethylene plastic. The consequences of a leak at the bottom of a Porta-Potti are much worse than those for a leak on the top of a fresh water tank, I'll observe. Chris Campbell

Bill, I'm thinking two things. First, there are epoxies that are supposed to adhere to plastic, possibly, also, West System's G-Flex, consult them. I've seen epoxies coming in tubes, in hardware stores, that say they will stick to plastic. The other thing is that possibly you could mend it with a heat gun, and lastly, a rubber patch and some super high quality instant glue. Urethane sealant/caulking is also worth a try, or even Silicone II. Have fun. I betcha any one of these may work. Oh yeah, ask Mr. Google. Jerry From: bill plywaski <se… [at] yahoo.com> To: "Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 8, 2012 12:25 PM Subject: [Cal_Boats] re: advice on repairing polyethylene tank.... Hi Everyone, Good Morning. My polyethylene water tank has a small crack at the top; I would appreciate advice on how to repair it given that most anything that I can think of will not adhere to its surface....Thank You. Fair Winds And Following Seas. Bill (for off contact: ph#: 303-444-2307

On 2/8/2012 4:21 PM, Gerald Sobel wrote: > > The other thing is that possibly you could mend it with a heat gun, In the old days, downhill skis had a PE bottom and there were melt-in patches for repairing encounters with rocks. I don't know about current ski technology but maybe they still make that stuff? Chris Campbell

I believe that these are repaired by welding them which is basically taking a piece of the same material and an old fashioned soldering iron (like from 75 years ago, and melting the new material into the tank. I had it done on a holding tank on my motor home when I set the thing down on a curb before the air suspension was pumped up. I have tried it and there is a little skill to it (which I lacked). Allen On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 12:25 PM, bill plywaski <se… [at] yahoo.com>wrote: > ** > > > Hi Everyone, > > Good Morning. > > My polyethylene water tank has a small crack at the top; I would > appreciate advice on how to repair it given that most anything that I can > think of will not adhere to its surface....Thank You. Fair Winds And > Following Seas. Bill (for off contact: ph#: 303-444-2307 > > > > >

Shoe goo adhesive also can work on a roughed surface From: Chris Campbell <cc… [at] lsnm.org> Sender: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:16:47 To: <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> Reply-To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] re: advice on repairing polyethylene tank.... On 2/8/2012 3:25 PM, bill plywaski wrote: > Hi Everyone, > Good Morning. > My polyethylene water tank has a small crack at the top; I would > appreciate advice on how to repair it given that most anything that I > can think of will not adhere to its surface.... Gougeon Bros. (West System epoxies) have a technique for using epoxy on plastics. It involves use of a propane torch waved lightly over the surface just before applying the adhesive. It apparently oxidizes the plasticizers that interfere with adhesion. Check their web site for info. I have used epoxy to repair a very old Thetford Porta-Potti lower (sewage) tank. This was before the Gougeon process was devised. I just roughed it up and applied epoxy and fiberglass. It has endured--I'm using that Porta-Potti on my Cal 20. I just try to avoid stressing the corners, where the patches are. I think it's a polyethylene plastic. The consequences of a leak at the bottom of a Porta-Potti are much worse than those for a leak on the top of a fresh water tank, I'll observe. Chris Campbell

Bill, I purchased a 79' Cal 34-3, had the survey done, purchased the boat and then discovered to my dismay that the PO left me a few items the surveyor did not catch. Two cracks in the 60 gal. Polyethylene water tank, one near the bottom and one large one by the filler inlet. I borrowed a Plastic welder and the poly rod to go with it from a friend. I cannot imagine a better fix. I work in the plastics business and nothing in the chemical world will stick to it besides parent material. Check out Harbor Freight or McMaster Carr for the equipment. I showed it to the guys in the marina and they could not believe it. Bob --- In Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com, bill plywaski <seafarergroup@...> wrote: > > Hi Everyone, > > Good Morning. > > My polyethylene water tank has a small crack at the top; I would appreciate advice on how to repair it given that most anything that I can think of will not adhere to its surface....Thank You. Fair Winds And Following Seas. Bill (for off contact: ph#: 303-444-2307 >

Would an "Inspection port" work - is the area flat? [Screw-Out Deck Plate by Beckson] Cheers, [cid:image005.png@01CBF93B.85770E70] Timm Lessley 503.863.4019 Cell to cell calls From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of ro… [at] charter.net Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 3:36 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] re: advice on repairing polyethylene tank.... Shoe goo adhesive also can work on a roughed surface From: Chris Campbell <cc… [at] lsnm.org> Sender: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:16:47 -0500 To: <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> ReplyTo: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] re: advice on repairing polyethylene tank.... On 2/8/2012 3:25 PM, bill plywaski wrote: Hi Everyone, Good Morning. My polyethylene water tank has a small crack at the top; I would appreciate advice on how to repair it given that most anything that I can think of will not adhere to its surface.... Gougeon Bros. (West System epoxies) have a technique for using epoxy on plastics. It involves use of a propane torch waved lightly over the surface just before applying the adhesive. It apparently oxidizes the plasticizers that interfere with adhesion. Check their web site for info. I have used epoxy to repair a very old Thetford Porta-Potti lower (sewage) tank. This was before the Gougeon process was devised. I just roughed it up and applied epoxy and fiberglass. It has endured--I'm using that Porta-Potti on my Cal 20. I just try to avoid stressing the corners, where the patches are. I think it's a polyethylene plastic. The consequences of a leak at the bottom of a Porta-Potti are much worse than those for a leak on the top of a fresh water tank, I'll observe. Chris Campbell

Geez, Timm. I got 37 of those in my boat already. Anybody need anything fixed? Cheers Charlie From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of ti… [at] ch2m.com Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 6:17 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] re: advice on repairing polyethylene tank.... Would an "Inspection port" work - is the area flat? [Description: Screw-Out Deck Plate by Beckson] Cheers, [Description: cid:image005.png@01CBF93B.85770E70] Timm Lessley 503.863.4019 Cell to cell calls From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of ro… [at] charter.net Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 3:36 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] re: advice on repairing polyethylene tank.... Shoe goo adhesive also can work on a roughed surface From: Chris Campbell <cc… [at] lsnm.org> Sender: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:16:47 -0500 To: <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> ReplyTo: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] re: advice on repairing polyethylene tank.... On 2/8/2012 3:25 PM, bill plywaski wrote: Hi Everyone, Good Morning. My polyethylene water tank has a small crack at the top; I would appreciate advice on how to repair it given that most anything that I can think of will not adhere to its surface.... Gougeon Bros. (West System epoxies) have a technique for using epoxy on plastics. It involves use of a propane torch waved lightly over the surface just before applying the adhesive. It apparently oxidizes the plasticizers that interfere with adhesion. Check their web site for info. I have used epoxy to repair a very old Thetford Porta-Potti lower (sewage) tank. This was before the Gougeon process was devised. I just roughed it up and applied epoxy and fiberglass. It has endured--I'm using that Porta-Potti on my Cal 20. I just try to avoid stressing the corners, where the patches are. I think it's a polyethylene plastic. The consequences of a leak at the bottom of a Porta-Potti are much worse than those for a leak on the top of a fresh water tank, I'll observe. Chris Campbell

Well heck Charlie, I'm currently in the (Canadian) arctic.. gotta keep myself amused somehow. Just thinking fixing it might include a mechanical (verses welding, gluing solution)... which I have very low confidence in. I have welded poly pipe, with an air welder "heat gun" and plastic rods.. sorta like [http://www.entegrisfluidhandling.com/Photos/Zoom/Welding1.gif] Just be prepared for failure, incompatible materials oil, dirt... a mechanical clamped solution might be the best solution for the DIYer. The best solution is a new tank. :( Cheers, [cid:image005.png@01CBF93B.85770E70] Timm Lessley 503.863.4019 Cell to cell calls From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Husar, Charlie [USA] (ASE) Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 4:48 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] re: advice on repairing polyethylene tank.... Geez, Timm. I got 37 of those in my boat already. Anybody need anything fixed? Cheers Charlie From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of ti… [at] ch2m.com Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 6:17 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] re: advice on repairing polyethylene tank.... Would an "Inspection port" work - is the area flat? [Description: Screw-Out Deck Plate by Beckson] Cheers, [Description: cid:image005.png@01CBF93B.85770E70] Timm Lessley 503.863.4019 Cell to cell calls From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of ro… [at] charter.net Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 3:36 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] re: advice on repairing polyethylene tank.... Shoe goo adhesive also can work on a roughed surface From: Chris Campbell <cc… [at] lsnm.org> Sender: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:16:47 -0500 To: <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> ReplyTo: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] re: advice on repairing polyethylene tank.... On 2/8/2012 3:25 PM, bill plywaski wrote: Hi Everyone, Good Morning. My polyethylene water tank has a small crack at the top; I would appreciate advice on how to repair it given that most anything that I can think of will not adhere to its surface.... Gougeon Bros. (West System epoxies) have a technique for using epoxy on plastics. It involves use of a propane torch waved lightly over the surface just before applying the adhesive. It apparently oxidizes the plasticizers that interfere with adhesion. Check their web site for info. I have used epoxy to repair a very old Thetford Porta-Potti lower (sewage) tank. This was before the Gougeon process was devised. I just roughed it up and applied epoxy and fiberglass. It has endured--I'm using that Porta-Potti on my Cal 20. I just try to avoid stressing the corners, where the patches are. I think it's a polyethylene plastic. The consequences of a leak at the bottom of a Porta-Potti are much worse than those for a leak on the top of a fresh water tank, I'll observe. Chris Campbell

I believe that West Systems G Flex will repair your tank. *Joe DeMers - owner* Sound Marine Diesel LLC SoundMarineDiesel.com <http://www.soundmarinediesel.com/> *phone & fax (860) 666-2184* On 2/8/2012 3:25 PM, bill plywaski wrote: > > > Hi Everyone, > Good Morning. > My polyethylene water tank has a small crack at the top; I would > appreciate advice on how to repair it given that most anything that I > can think of will not adhere to its surface....Thank You. Fair Winds > And Following Seas. Bill (for off contact: ph#: 303-444-2307 > > > > > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com <http://www.avg.com> > Version: 2012.0.1901 / Virus Database: 2109/4174 - Release Date: 01/29/12 > Internal Virus Database is out of date. > -- *Joe DeMers - owner* Sound Marine Diesel LLC SoundMarineDiesel.com <http://www.soundmarinediesel.com/> *phone & fax (860) 666-2184*