Sooo I got a Skimmer:bounce3: :bounce3: it has a black acrylic base that it was mounted to only problem is the skimmer tube was broke off the base.So the 2 pieces need to be remounted my thinking is I could use some weldon to fix this problem. And would not have to worry about it leaking since I would like to use this external is this correct? and what weldon would you use?
acrylic question
- Thread starter John_A
- Start date
Hope this might help understand
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orthokardia
New member
weldon should work. pvc glue might work, but will make a mess if it does not work. If it will be used internal then silicone should work if you have some laying around. not pretty, but effective
poolkeeper1
New member
No, Get the correct Weldon # 3 or 4 will be best for the repair and do it right. After you clean all the old glue off and everything is fitting perfect again you can use the Weldon to glue it back together. You also can run a bead of Weldon # 16 around the outside rim of the tube to add strength to the seam.
Before you do any gluing i suggest you read a article about working with Acrylic and the Weldon first so you know how to do this correctly the first time and don't ruin your new skimmer.
Mixer911 has lots of experiance in this type of DIY
Bill
Before you do any gluing i suggest you read a article about working with Acrylic and the Weldon first so you know how to do this correctly the first time and don't ruin your new skimmer.
Mixer911 has lots of experiance in this type of DIY
Bill
poolkeeper1
New member
Good ???
Good ???
I'm not an expert, You may try and PM Rick (mixer911) and see what he say's about doing it that way. You may have to cut it smooth to get a strong repair I am just not sure it will hold the way you want to repair it??? Least as an External skimmer anyway!
Bill
PS Did UPS break it in shipping? Make them pay for a new one if they did!
Good ???
I'm not an expert, You may try and PM Rick (mixer911) and see what he say's about doing it that way. You may have to cut it smooth to get a strong repair I am just not sure it will hold the way you want to repair it??? Least as an External skimmer anyway!
Bill
PS Did UPS break it in shipping? Make them pay for a new one if they did!
poolkeeper1
New member
I got my new one last week from FedeX and it was packed like a tank could run over it and come out in one piece. The Seller did a great job by having them pack it!
Bill
Bill
mixer911
New member
John, Bill is right. ONLY use Weldon. DO NOT use silicone as it will not adhear to the acrylic. You could use superglue, but it will start cracking in the long run. The difference between 3 an 4 are curing times. 16 is like acrylic caulking and only to be as a gap filler.
First make sure that the 2 pieces are perfectly smooth. in order for a water tight seal they have to fit together with no gap at all. I use sand paper and sand the acrylic tube smooth. If it is broken you will have to cut it with a radial arm saw or chop saw. For the base i would sand that smooth and then glue the 2 together.
First make sure that the 2 pieces are perfectly smooth. in order for a water tight seal they have to fit together with no gap at all. I use sand paper and sand the acrylic tube smooth. If it is broken you will have to cut it with a radial arm saw or chop saw. For the base i would sand that smooth and then glue the 2 together.
The break left some of the tube on the base but I can line it up fine and when running my finger along the break there is no gap it sits flush on top of each other hope you understand I'll try and get a better pic in a few mins shoot me your e-mail and I'll send to you when I get a chance
CloudIX
Website Developer
Mixer911 is right. Only use weldon. nothing else will work. Weldon creates a chemical reaction with the acrylic and causes it to melt, then when you mash the melting pieces together its almost like welding it. (thus the name weldon) What i would suggest is to lightly sand the 2 pieces and use some standard sewing pins to put a small gap around it. Fill in the small gap with weldon (i would suggest #4) then once it starts getting mushy pull out the pins and press the 2 pieces together. If you have any small leaks use #16 to seal those. Have a look her for some how-to with acrylic.
http://www.melevsreef.com/tools.html
http://www.melevsreef.com/tools.html
mixer911
New member
If the break is really clean and you can put the pieces together with no gaps then you should be ok to weldon it without any prep. The thing that worries me about some of these types of seperations is I do not like to re-glue 2 pieces back to an old glue joint. There is a reason the last joint failed, it did not make a good bond. Like cloudIX said, weldon actually chemically welds the acrylic together. if 2 pieces are glued properly the acrylic will break before the seam that was glued will. As you can see where the actual tube broke and chunks were left on the base. Those pieces had the best bond.
I wouldn't use pins. Until you get some practice using pins, they can be a PITA. Get a small hypodermic needle from tractor supply. join the 2 pieces and use the tip of the needle to inject the weldon into the crack. Trust me this stuff is very thin and will seep into the crack with no problem. You will be able to see it when it fills the crack.
Like I said before weldon 3 and 4 are the same thing and very thin. The only difference is bonding time.Weldon 3 will set in a few secs and 4 will set in about 1-2 mins. 4 will not really "soften" the acrylic, it will start to disolve it and mis shape it. You want a quick bond in this case. You want those pieces to join exactly the way they are.
I wouldn't use pins. Until you get some practice using pins, they can be a PITA. Get a small hypodermic needle from tractor supply. join the 2 pieces and use the tip of the needle to inject the weldon into the crack. Trust me this stuff is very thin and will seep into the crack with no problem. You will be able to see it when it fills the crack.
Like I said before weldon 3 and 4 are the same thing and very thin. The only difference is bonding time.Weldon 3 will set in a few secs and 4 will set in about 1-2 mins. 4 will not really "soften" the acrylic, it will start to disolve it and mis shape it. You want a quick bond in this case. You want those pieces to join exactly the way they are.
AdrianBryce
New member
can anyone tell me the curing time for weldon to be tank safe? Also, can you get weldon at HD or lowes?
AdrianBryce
New member
can you only buy it online, then?
