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Reinforcement for front apron?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by MrPete, Oct 31, 2023.

  1. MrPete

    MrPete Active Member

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    I have an almost-new front apron (front most black plastic underneath.)

    Already, it is showing signs of stress and wear.

    The plastic corners from main flat to the depressed bolt holes are VERY thin.

    Has anyone seen, or tried, anything to reinforce this part? I am thinking of melting more plastic into those edges/ corners.
     
    #1 MrPete, Oct 31, 2023
  2. black_jmyntrn

    black_jmyntrn Senior Member

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    yes, you need a plastic welder kit..

    https://amzn.to/49dRpBz

    I have both the soldering iron style and what I call a plastic stapler. You might get away with a small blow torch and zip ties but a welder would be best. Zip ties are very strong plastic when used to weld or strengthen other plastics!
     
    #2 black_jmyntrn, Oct 31, 2023
  3. MrPete

    MrPete Active Member

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    Want it to match. So this is PP (polypropylene).

    I already own plenty of precision heating tools. Good idea on zip ties... I probably have a hundred PP zip ties.

    Have you done this on the apron?
     
    #3 MrPete, Oct 31, 2023
  4. black_jmyntrn

    black_jmyntrn Senior Member

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    yep. the screw hole on the wheel well broke, had to add zip ties with plastic welding iron and was al good since.
     
    #4 black_jmyntrn, Oct 31, 2023
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Rolling right up to concrete curb stops is tough on it: the front apron pushes up on and past the curb, then royally snags when you reverse off it (design fail, Toyota). I’ve taken mine off and patched with two-part epoxy 2~3 times now, still holding together. Welding the plastic sounds superior though.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Nov 1, 2023
    MrPete likes this.
  6. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Use these;





    1/4" x 1" Stainless Steel EPDM Bonded Sealing Washers (50 Pack), 1" OD Neoprene Backed Corrosion Resistant Load Distribution Water Tight Seal by Bolt Dropper
     
    #6 Georgina Rudkus, Nov 1, 2023
  7. MrPete

    MrPete Active Member

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    UGH. I just checked: Zip Ties are NOT normally PP! They are nylon. Use of zip ties is very questionable: most likely the plastics can separate under stress.

    Two alternatives:
    1) Many plastic items have spare "tabs" from manufacturing, that can be taken and used for plastic welding as needed :)
    2) I just ordered a bunch of PP welding rods online, very cheap. I also ordered stainless mesh for embedding in plastic welds... adds a lot of strength.

    I'm going to do some plastic welding today. Will take pix. We'll see how it goes.

     
    #7 MrPete, Nov 2, 2023
  8. MrPete

    MrPete Active Member

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    (I also now have a LOT of spare large sheets of PP -- my old bumper cover, plus one entire spare! Anybody need a Gen3 front bumper cover, pre-painted in 4T8 Sandy Beach Metallic?)
     
    #8 MrPete, Nov 2, 2023
  9. MrPete

    MrPete Active Member

    Joined:
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    (I also now have a LOT of spare large sheets of PP -- my old bumper cover, plus one entire spare! Anybody need a Gen3 front bumper cover, pre-painted in 4T8 Sandy Beach Metallic?)
     
    #9 MrPete, Nov 2, 2023
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