T@B Plastic Trim Composition & Repair Information

Emma62

I'm decades past college now but put myself through undergraduate school working summers at a fiberglass factory making front ends for cars.  Never thought the skills used there could come in handy but here we are.  

Although my trailer is under warranty till this fall, living in MN as I do addressing severe cold induced trim cracks sounds like it could easily end up becoming part of yearly spring maintenance.

I contacted NuCamp today and asked what type of plastic the trim on the outside edges of the trailer is made of as the repair approach differs depending on the type of plastic.  They helpfully referred me to the company that manufacturs the part for them (Duoform Plastics).  I called Duoform and they said the plastic is made of, "ABS plastic with a clear solar coat cap as a UV protectant".

Here is a short summary of what is involved in repairing ABS plastic:  https://www.hunker.com/12367945/how-to-repair-abs-plastic.  

GibW

Thank for the info. MN winters have been tough on our T@B too. 

Emma62

I did more reading on this last night and turns out there is a Glass Transition Temperature (acronym TG) for each type of plastic.  Below that temperature the plastic becomes more and more brittle like glass.  Above that temperature the plastic becomes more and more rubbery/fluid.  Cracking is more likely if there is stress especially at the location of any defects in the plastic.  As soon as the temperature moves out of the TG the effect ceases.  

If I have any more issues may call the trim manufacturer back and see if they know their TG temp. As far as I can find it's 212F for ABS which could bode ill for those of us in colder climates.

This is new info for me and always a chance I could be misunderstanding.  If anyone is interested: 

 http://www.appstate.edu/~clementsjs/polymerproperties/plastics_low_temp.pdf

https://www.creativemechanisms.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-abs-plastic

lkc001

The article did not address if the resin can be colored to match the trim or what to do after putting 3 coats of resin.  If the excess can be trimmed, filed, smoothed, sanded?  

Marceline

lkc001 said:

The article did not address if the resin can be colored to match the trim or what to do after putting 3 coats of resin.  If the excess can be trimmed, filed, smoothed, sanded?  

I think that the procedure would be like the procedure for fixing a motorcycle fairing, discussed here: https://easyabsrepair.com/repairs/motorcyle-repair/