Shower repair

[chunker]

The GF's Crusader has the thin plastic shower surround on a "tub" corner shower. In the corner there are a couple of small steps/soap holders and the lower one is cracked. The crack runs along under the shelf part. Plastic is flimsy typical of lower to mid level trailers, not the more solid like the fiberglass ones. What would be a good repair material? I'm thinking of cleaning with acetone to get all soap residue off and goop on significant clear silicone caulk. No way to get behind it to add to that side.

[cruizerEd]

I wouldn't use silicon.

You should probably abrade it with sandpaper as well.

I would look for some material to lap it and then seal it with 3m 5200 or a sikaflex product.

You might be able to find some plastic stock at Home Depot. You could get a 4x4 plastic fencing or a fence post and cut a strip out.

Rig up something to keep it pressed to the wall until it sets.

[Hufficon]

This stuff works great. It stays somewhat flexible. Don't be messy, its hard to get off!

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by Hufficon

This stuff works great. It stays somewhat flexible. Don't be messy, its hard to get off!

That's the best sealant I have ever used! I usually use vinyl gloves when working with it, but I think Acetone will remove it!

[chunker]

Originally Posted by cruizerEd

I wouldn't use silicon.

You should probably abrade it with sandpaper as well.

I would look for some material to lap it and then seal it with 3m 5200 or a sikaflex product.

You might be able to find some plastic stock at Home Depot. You could get a 4x4 plastic fencing or a fence post and cut a strip out.

Rig up something to keep it pressed to the wall until it sets.

The cracked section doesn't rest against the wall, it's a corner soap shelf that is unsupported. I may look at the plastic strip idea and get 2 pieces, oversized for the crack, and slide one on the inside. I'll look at the Goop product to see if that would be a good bonding agent for the inside and outside pieces. Otherwise I'll also look at one of the epoxy products.

[bpu699]

Go on amazon and get a cheap plastic welder...find some scrap plastic to match, and watch some YouTube videos. You can melt in some wire mesh and it should look good, and last...

[US1]

tape, such as eternabond or auto rock chip guard

[shootist]

It should be abs plastic. Whatever you use should be fully compatible with the plastic.

[scenic route]

From your description, it sounds like a stress point manufactured into the liner. Might be a good idea to first 'stop drill' the crack ends to prevent the crack from elongating after the repair.

[US1]

Shoulda noted, don’t use acetone. Use mineral spirits then lightly sand.

[HopsBrewster]

Originally Posted by scenic route

From your description, it sounds like a stress point manufactured into the liner. Might be a good idea to first 'stop drill' the crack ends to prevent the crack from elongating after the repair.

This ^

Any crack in sheet plastic or fiberglass will continue to run, even after you use the finest adhesives in the world to 'fix' it because of the vibration, unless you do this. You should first find the ends of the crack and drill a small hole at the extreme ends, thus interrupting the flow of the crack. Then you can score a small groove along the crack and use whichever adhesive or resin you have chosen.

[ga traveler]

If you want a permanent repair, you should use epoxy and Fiberglas cloth. The Fiberglas cloth will give it strength. Put on a layer of epoxy. Press the fiberglass into the wet layer of epoxy. Two more layers of epoxy. Sand smooth.
This is the way we did it at our shop and our customers were pleased with the results.

[grindstone01]

I have had good luck using JB Weld.

[chunker]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm going back down there early next week and take a closer look at the situation. That shelf could have been cracked for some time and due to it's location, down low and "underneath the soap tray, not readily visible. I'll see if stop drilling is feasible and develop a good repair strategy. I suspect that initially I'll tape it with something like gorilla tape while I collect the appropriate permanent repair materials. Unfortunately there is no way to access the back of it without ripping out a wall or two, so any repair will all be from in the shower. I'm right now thinking that getting some flat plastic stock like the fence post idea, and goop with the appropriate sealers and slip on the inside. Hold in place by putting a couple deck screws to hold it until the sealer/epoxy sets. When cured then it will have a backing.

When I inspect it next week again I'll know more.