Cracked ARB Canopy - Suggestions?

[mooxie]

Hi all,

Just noticed a crack in my ARB canopy and wondering if it
s a common occurrence if if anyone has suggestions on how to patch it up!

I've only had my D22 for about 6 months and believe the Canopy is about 5 years old. I've taken her on a few rough trips, but as she's got stock suspension etc. it's been nothing too crazy.

Noticed a crack under one of the side windows out of the blue. Hadn't been off road for a few weeks and the only possible cause I could think of, is the extreme temperatures we've had!

Has anyone had problems with their ARB canopies cracking? Anyone have suggestions for repairing it?

Cheers!!

 

[KraftyPg]

It's just fiberglass, anyone who has done any sort of panel work could easily repair the crack, as for stopping it reappearing it would be hard to say without seeing it.

A panel beater could paint it too but as to how good the colour match would be would be unknown until it's painted.

There is a lot of reason it could happen again it would be hard to pin point one without a lot more information though, again a panel beater may be able to give you an idea.

 

[09 STR]

Should be a simple fix for any capable panel beater. Without seeing said crack my fix would be vee'ing out the crack front side and back side keying up both surfaces and laying a few sheets of mat and resin on each side. Sand and smooth of with filler prime and paint job done.

 

[d22dave]

And also consider drilling a small hole at the end of the crack to help stop it running, then doing the glass repair

 

[joe2006]

ARB conopies are now made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and if you check in Mr google, it shows different methods of ABS repair including the use of a hot soldering iron. If it is fibreglass, like the others have said:-

Perhaps you could ask ARB why it cracked. You never know, maybe there was a faulty batch or something.

 

[KraftyPg]

And also consider drilling a small hole at the end of the crack to help stop it running

Said the blonde girl about her navel.

 

[mooxie]

Cheers guys, found a sticker in it from manufacture in 2007. It looks the same as current design, smooth on the inside textured on the outside, 99% sure it's ABS.
Shame it's not smooth on the outside, would have been much easier to get a decent looking repair on it!
I reckon I might give this stuff a go: http://www.trimfixsupplies.com/abs-cement.html
What do you reckon?

 

[09 STR]

Even better if its ABS that stuff is the easiest stuff to plastic weld. Bonus cause working with fibreglass sucks big time. Soooooo itchy!

 

[gadgets]

I got my arb one 120000k ago, around 4 years ago, smooth finish , steal arb rack on top thats always been loaded, no cracks , all in good condition except the poor quality locks that have been replaced twice and will need to be done again soon.

 

[4 naving]

yeah... same with mine the locks are sh#t.... im on my second set they seem to just fall apart in your hand... not real good for the 3k....