SE/30 - Front casing plastic fix?

[mdent23]

Hello all,

I wanted to hear your thoughts on this;

I recently acquired a recapped SE/30 (which as of this past weekend is now using a CF card for solid state storage and super-fast startup!)

The machine is beautiful, but what has proven a mixed blessing is the damage to the plastic of the front casing that occurred during shipping (I say this because I ended up getting the machine for free via UPS shipping insurance due to the damage and an unseated ROM SIMM which caused SimasiMac)

To cut to the chase: Has anyone had any experience repaired cracked or broken off plastic on these compact macs?

My plan is to reattach a piece, fill in the cracks (pictures below) with some kind of material), then sand it down so it is flush with the rest of the casing.

Here's a link for a two-step plastic I found, if you have any suggestions or alternative solutions, I'm all ears.

http://www.plast-aid.com/

// mdent23

 

[CharlieFrown]

I was about to suggest using some modeling putty, but you probably found something better. 

 

[olePigeon]

Lemme know how it turns out.  I have a bezel you can have for free + shipping.  Won't be pristine, but it won't be cracked.

 

[mdent23]

olePigeon that would be amazing!! The seller treated the plastic to remove yellowing and gave me the recipe so I should have no problem matching it!

Just let me know how I should send my info and we can talk details.

Thank you
-mdent23

 

[olePigeon]

Just PM me your address and I'll get a shipping quote for you.  May or may not be worth it.  I suspect around $15 or so.  It might fit in a medium flat rate box.

 

[Andrew T.]

Your front bezel is slightly better than mine.

 

[bibilit]

there is a trick about ABS  (if you can find a plastic item of the same colour) mixing acetone and tiny bits of plastic will produce a bonding material.

 

[mdent23]

Very cool, though thanks to olePigeon I am expecting a new front bezel now which I will chemically treat to remove any yellowing and get the color match to the back rear case as close as possible.

Will keep you all posted with results!

// mdent23

 

[BadGoldEagle]

Your front bezel is slightly better than mine.

mdent23's bezel is a lot better than the one on my SE/30!

I found a replacement bezel too.

Your SE/30 will look as good as new with a new bezel!

 

[mdent23]

Just PM me your address and I'll get a shipping quote for you.  May or may not be worth it.  I suspect around $15 or so.  It might fit in a medium flat rate box.

PM'd you my address info, olePigeon; looking forward to receiving the bezel! Thanks again

//mdent23

 

[Bunsen]

there is a trick about ABS  (if you can find a plastic item of the same colour) mixing acetone and tiny bits of plastic will produce a bonding material.

Note that the plastic you dissolve in the acetone has to also be ABS.

 

[goncalo]

... I will chemically treat to remove any yellowing ...

I did some retrobrighing in my Classic case and i must say it wasnt easy. It took about four half-days to get to a satisfactory result.

I tried both wrapped and unwrapped, applied with a brush or just using gloves...

And the best results came while spreading only with gloves, unwrapped.

Using a brush tends to create micro grooves that will create micro shadows and will result in an uneven treatment.

Using a glove will get you a better spread. But since it will dry-out more quickly, you'll have to reapply more often