The bumper often takes the brunt of the impact when the car collides with something. Naturally, after such a situation, it itself is severely damaged and will need to be repaired, which will be cheaper than repairing other parts of the machine. Taking into account the fact that now many models are made of plastic, everything can be repaired with a special soldering iron. This will require experience in such work, but a lot really depends on the right tool. A soldering iron for soldering bumpers will be an excellent solution for repairs. Thanks to this tool, the required areas of the part are heated to the desired temperature.
A soldering iron for plastic helps to seal cracks, level the surface, connect broken parts and perform other repair operations. It is used for both temporary repairs and serious restoration procedures.
Types of soldering irons for soldering plastic bumpers
Several types of soldering irons can be used for repairs. After all, this is a universal tool that is capable of performing connecting operations in many situations and working with various materials. If its parameters allow it to melt plastic, then it can also be used to repair bumpers.
The craftsmen use the following soldering irons to repair bumpers:
- Standard model. It should be a powerful tool with a straight or curved tip, which depends on the design features. It is best suited for heat bonding of broken bumper parts. With its help, you can create reliable joint seams so that the product can work for a long time after repair.
- Thermal gun. Serves for soldering parts and correcting their deformation. Thanks to the presence of a smooth temperature control system, the tool can finely adjust to any parameters of the bumpers and provide the desired effect, for complete melting to connect parts, or partial melting to level a curved surface. As a rule, such models come with several attachments that make soldering easier and more convenient.
- Hot air soldering station. This is a universal soldering iron for plastic, which combines several tools at once. This is a unique combination of a standard soldering iron and a heat gun. The kit may also contain a large number of attachments, but the main advantage is the ability to use two tools at once.
The principle of operation of a soldering iron
Before starting work, the surface must be cleaned of dirt and thoroughly degreased, the edges must be sanded.
When using a soldering iron, use the tip to melt the edges of the parts to be joined. Next, they need to be pressed together and fixed until they cool completely. It's best to press the edges together in advance and process them at the same time. After cooling, a weld is formed, connecting the two workpieces into a single whole.
When using a hairdryer, a stream of heated air is directed to the damaged area, uniformly heating it until the plasticity temperature is reached. Now you can give the softened plastic any desired shape. For welding, a slot nozzle is put on the hair dryer, which forms a narrow flat stream of heated air. This stream acts in the same way as a soldering iron tip.
Another type of repair is stapling. Staples are inserted into the soldering machine, they are heated and pressed into the material in such a way as to connect the parts of the bumper into a single whole, providing additional strength to the weld.
When repairing cracks, they should be cleaned and deepened to a depth of half a centimeter until a V-shaped groove is formed. Holes should be drilled at the ends of the crack to prevent further spread. Next, use a soldering iron to connect the edges until the crack disappears completely.
The seam should first be passed from the inside, the second pass is made from the front.
If the shape of the surface cannot be restored completely, pieces of fiberglass are glued to the problem areas. After restoring the shape and integrity of the bumper, it is painted in the same way as metal parts. A layer of primer is applied to the sanded and degreased surface, and after it dries, two layers of paint are applied. Polishing is used as a finishing touch.
Requirements for soldering irons for plastic
One of the main parameters for any such tool is power. When choosing a suitable soldering iron, you need to ensure that it is at least 100 W. This is a very important requirement that must be fulfilled, since otherwise the plastic may simply not melt. When choosing thermal hair dryers, you should focus on models from 1600 W.
The main requirements include rapid heating of the tip. Standard models that take several minutes to warm up are not suitable here. When working with plastic, it is better to choose those options in which the tip reaches the desired temperature within a period of up to 10 seconds. For some situations, it is permissible to take a model with a longer warm-up time, but in professional work this will be a big disadvantage.
A soldering iron for plastic bumpers should be convenient so that the master can easily control all movements. This requires delicate work so as not to damage entire parts of the product.”
TOP 5 best models of bumper soldering irons
A soldering iron for a bumper is a rather expensive product, since it is often supplied in a ready-made kit, and also has its own features and technical characteristics. Some of the best models that are presented on the domestic market include:
- Steinel. This is a whole set that includes a heat gun. This is a fairly powerful 2.3 kW device that can heat material up to 650 degrees Celsius. Supplied in a plastic case with all necessary attachments and accessories.
- Intertool RT-2003. The tool allows you to work with materials with a small thickness.
- Teroson. Another set that uses a heating gun. The kit includes all the necessary accessories and tools. There are cartridges, mixers and reinforcing materials here. The soldering iron can also be used to work with other plastic parts.
- Neico. A professional Chinese instrument with a power of 1600 W. The kit includes additional attachments and a roller. Professional components make the work easier and do not require you to buy anything extra at first.
How to solder a bumper using a soldering iron
Polypropylene, polyethylene and polyurethane bumpers can be soldered with a conventional electric soldering iron with a power of about 100 Watts. The tip must be clean and free of metal solder residues.
The material from the edges of the crack is moved by the tip of the heated tip into the middle, forming short stitches. After which the crack is filled and leveled. To strengthen the seam, metal brackets or reinforcing mesh are fused into it, which is preheated with a hairdryer or torch.
It is pressed into the bumper material with a heated soldering iron, recessed completely, and the plastic is smoothed out.
After cooling, the finished seam is sanded and puttied using a special polyester or epoxy putty, which should be designed specifically for working on plastic, since it will require elasticity and good adhesion.
The filler material can be taken from the same bumper, which has areas that do not perform any functions and are not externally noticeable. This will ensure full compatibility of the plastic.
Requirements for soldering irons for plastic
The main characteristic of such devices is power. For efficient and comfortable work, it is recommended to use a device with at least 100 W. If you use a soldering iron of lower power, the plastic will not melt. When choosing thermal hair dryers, you need to pay attention to devices from 1600 W.
Another requirement is the heating speed of the soldering tip. For processing plastic elements, it is recommended to select options that heat up in 7-10 seconds. For domestic use, you can take equipment with prolonged heating, but for professional activities this will be associated with some inconveniences.
How to make a soldering iron tip for soldering plastic
In this review, the author shares a simple idea on how you can make your own tip-spade for a household electric soldering iron. Why is this even necessary? For example, it can be used for soldering and repairing plastic parts.
As a result, in just half an hour you can make an additional attachment for a soldering iron, which can be useful at home.
However, please note that the mesh repair method is best used on ABS plastic (this technology does not work or works poorly on PP plastic). However, if you so desire, you can experiment yourself.
Tool types
The modern market offers several types of tools for working with plastic parts. Among them:
- Devices with standard configuration . This tool can have a curved or straight soldering rod. Most often it is used to connect broken plastic elements. Standard models create strong seams due to high temperature exposure and can work at different angles.
- Thermal gun . The equipment is designed to correct the deformation of parts and solder them. The soldering gun is equipped with temperature control, which expands its scope of application. This bumper repair kit may include additional attachments that simplify and speed up the work.
- Hot air station for soldering . This tool is universal. It combines a hot air gun and a standard soldering iron. Additional attachments may be sold with it.
Welding equipment for welding plastics
The most popular welding equipment are hand-held welding extruders and welding guns. They are easy to use, relatively inexpensive and, due to their low weight, very convenient to use. If you have such equipment, you can manufacture products from polypropylene sheets not only in the workshop, but also on site.
The principle of operation of the equipment is to supply hot air, which heats the surfaces to be welded and the additive (welding rod or granules) to a molten state, thereby achieving a strong connection of the parts being welded.
You can learn more about the features of using welding equipment by familiarizing yourself with the technology of welding polypropylene.
Leister hand-held devices Professional welding guns and extruders Leister (Switzerland)
Weldy hand guns Construction guns and kits for welding plastics
Welding machines Leader Compact and reliable manual extruders Leader
Automatic welding machines Convenient professional automatic welding machines and testing equipment.
Welding machines Semi-automatic machines for butt welding of sheet plastics
Stitching rollers
Nozzles
What to look for when choosing
When choosing a soldering iron, you must take into account that it is designed to heat plastic. In this case, you should pay attention to several characteristics. First, the equipment must have optimal power, otherwise the plastic will not melt. The optimal indicator is at least 100 W.
Secondly, a soldering iron for car bumpers should have a convenient design. The user should not experience any discomfort when working with it. In addition, you need to choose a reliable unit from a trusted manufacturer.
Experts recommend giving preference to models equipped with wooden handles. This material does not heat up and does not lose its performance properties for a long time under the influence of high temperatures.
Types of Soldering Irons Used for Repairing Plastic Products
Currently, when restoring plastic products, both traditional soldering irons designed for soldering radio and electrical circuits, and devices specially designed for plastic work are widely used.
This list includes:
A hot air gun melts products by supplying a stream of air heated from 80 to 600°C.
- Traditional soldering iron for working on electrical appliances. It can be with a straight or curved sting, straight design or in the form of a pistol. It is used for plastic when there is a need to thermally connect individual parts or fragments of plastic parts, when it is necessary to weld seams or equip the workpiece with reinforced mesh.
- Hairdryer (other names: heat gun, blower gun). Performs soldering by supplying a stream of air heated in the range from 80 to 600°C to the point being processed. As a rule, for use in different temperature and technological conditions, this tool is equipped with a smooth temperature control system. In addition, the heat gun is usually equipped with a set of different nozzles, with the help of which a stream of hot air is directed precisely to the soldering site. A hairdryer with a power of at least 1600 W is considered the most effective.
- Soldering hot-air station. This complex combines an improved modification of a traditional soldering iron and a hair dryer. Unlike a conventional tool, in this case the operator has the opportunity to adjust the operating temperature precisely in accordance with the technological task that a particular operation solves. The station is equipped with different nozzles-tips.
Soldering plastic surfaces using a heat gun
One of the most common defects in plastic products is the formation of cracks in their body. In order to eliminate this defect using a blowing soldering iron for plastic, it is recommended to perform the following steps.
The surface of the workpiece at a distance of at least 15 mm from the crack is thoroughly cleaned. To prevent the crack from growing in length, its ends are drilled. Preparation of the repair site is completed by technologically deepening the split using a milling cutter to a depth of 5-6 mm, forming a V-shaped groove.
Before starting soldering, you need to collect all the necessary tools and clean the surface from dirt.
If the plastic part turns out to be not just cracked, but separated into several parts, they must be assembled into one whole, precisely matching the individual parts with each other. If necessary, the disintegrated components are secured in the required position using special clamps.
Then you need to select welding rods. It is advisable that they be made of the same material as the part being repaired. The end of the rod is sharpened for ease of soldering, and the rod itself is inserted with this end into the appropriate hole in the hair dryer nozzle.
The heat gun should be moved slowly along the crack, making sure that the filler rod is inclined to the surface to be welded at an angle of 45°. It is better to do this using a special blower attachment, in which the required soldering angle has already been set in advance. In the absence of such a tip, you should, constantly pressing the rod towards the connecting seam, direct the hot air stream more towards the solder.
If the part has broken up into separate fragments, they will have to be welded in two stages. At the first stage, short tack seams along the entire length of the cracks are used to fasten the parts together, securing the integrity of the repaired surface. And only after this the final soldering is performed. After completing the welding operation, the resulting plastic seams should not rise too much above the surface of the part, and they should be smooth.
After the joints have cooled, their surface is sanded and puttied, preparing for finishing (painting).
Best models
A soldering iron for repairing plastic parts is an expensive device, which is explained by its technical characteristics and operating features. There are several of the most reliable and effective devices on the domestic market:
- Steinel . This brand produces a whole repair kit, which includes a heat gun. The device has a power of 2.3 kW. With its help, plastic can be heated to a temperature of 650°C. Sold in a durable polymer case with additional accessories (electrodes, extension cord, etc.) and attachments.
- RT-2003 from Intertool . This device is great for processing thin plastic materials.
- Teroson . A convenient kit for repairing plastic parts, which contains a heat gun. Additionally, the device comes with attachments and accessories, including mixers, replaceable cartridges and reinforcement materials.
- Neiko . This tool is professional and made in China. Its power is 1600 W. Additionally, a special roller and attachments are supplied with it. Precisely selected components can ensure fast and simple operation. The advantage of Neico is that you do not need to purchase auxiliary materials for it.
- Stapler . Budget class model with a power of 100 W. The seams are created using special staples, which is why the tool got its name.
- Lukey . This is a cheap Chinese model. It is perfect for beginners and home use.
Should I choose a hair dryer or an extruder?
If in the manufacture of products you use sheet plastics with a thickness of more than 10 mm, if you require a high-quality and durable connection and you have a budget of 100,000 rubles or more, then choose a welding extruder. For this money, the device will be equipped with an air heater with a built-in temperature controller, it will have good power and performance, and the welding seam will be performed in one pass. In addition, you can adjust the auger speed in the range from 20 to 100 percent.
A welding hair dryer is 4-5 times cheaper than a welding extruder, 1.5 times smaller in size and weighs no more than 1.3 kg including the cord, while even the smallest extruder weighs from 4 kg.
A welding gun is a universal little helper, without which no production can do. Consumables for a hair dryer are relatively inexpensive, so even a novice welder can afford to operate it. The hair dryer is great for repairing car bumpers and welding containers with a wall thickness of up to 6mm, as well as for use in hard-to-reach places when repairing plastic products.
To perform various welding seams, you will need welding attachments, which you can also purchase from our company.
Application area
In most cases, a soldering iron is used in car repair shops for processing plastic elements. They are used to repair bumpers, mirror structures, interiors, torpedoes, body kits, etc.
In addition, this device makes it possible to quickly and easily repair broken plastic parts on motorcycles, ATVs and bicycles, boats and yachts.
In a private home, a soldering tip for plastic is useful for repairing pipes, polymer frames of greenhouses and greenhouses.
How the tool works
The surface to be treated must first be lubricated with a degreasing compound and sanded. This will make it possible to achieve the highest quality docking. Using a standard soldering iron model, you simply melt the edges of the element, then fix them to each other and expose them to temperature. If the operation was performed correctly, a strong seam will appear at the junction of the plastic parts.
Treatment with a hot air gun is carried out using a similar principle. A targeted flow of hot air ensures the transition of the polymer into a liquid state. If you are leveling defects, you need to wait until the car bumper softens and becomes plastic. Only after this can you manipulate it. If the ends of the parts melt, they must immediately be tightly connected to each other and held until completely solidified.
When working with a soldering iron, you must follow the following rules:
- To make the tool heat up faster, it is recommended to clean its tip with fine-grained sandpaper. After prolonged use of the equipment, more thorough cleaning is necessary.
- A broken soldering tip can be replaced with a nail or steel wire.
- To extend the life of the tool, you need to let the transformer cool down when using it.
- When processing highly deformed plastic elements, it is better to use a special electrode. When heated, the material will fill all existing defects.
- Processing must begin with the internal surfaces. This will allow you to set the optimal heating level. If the temperature is not suitable, the defect on the wrong side will be invisible.
- When reinforcing plastic with mesh or staples, metal inclusions must be lubricated with anti-corrosion agents.
By following these recommendations, you can achieve the highest quality fastening of plastic bumper parts.
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Soldering with a hot air gun
Sealing cracks with an industrial hair dryer is similar to welding with an acetylene torch.
The hair dryer usually comes with nozzles; it is better to choose the minimum one that provides a directed flow of hot air into a hole with a diameter of several millimeters. Otherwise, the bumper may move due to heating of undamaged areas.
For soldering, you must use filler material from the same part. The edges of the crack are heated until melting, after which plastic solder is applied there.
Metal brackets are used for reinforcement. The temperature is selected after testing, overheating is unacceptable, the plastic will bubble and burn, such a seam is fragile and weak.
Tools and materials for plastic repair.
To repair plastic parts of a car, special materials and tools are used , without which it is not possible to carry out high-quality bumper repairs. You also need to know the type of plastic, which is practically impossible to visually determine, so most manufacturers leave markings to determine the type of plastic.
Now about each of them.
Soldering iron. The most important tool in this matter. Used for joining plastic fragments, mesh reinforcement, and for welding seams. The criteria for choosing a soldering iron are quite simple. It is desirable that the handle be wooden, since the plastic one begins to melt after the 3rd bumper. The power is at least 100 W, otherwise the process of soldering the bumper will turn into a “long-playing song”.
Hair dryer. It is also called a professional, construction, industrial, thermo-gun. When choosing it, you should pay attention to the power; it should be at least 1600W. The temperature of the directional air flow is also important; depending on the hair dryer, it ranges from 80-700 degrees. Air temperature adjustment has 2 options:
How to weld a bumper with a rod
The filler rod will act as both a filler and a reinforcing agent. It is heated with a hairdryer and placed in the crack area, usually in the form of a triangular zigzag, after which it is pressed along the crack.
This is interesting: Is it necessary to install a mesh in the bumper to protect the radiator?
To avoid excess, the edges of the cracks are processed with a drill, forming chamfers. The resulting weld pools are filled with a plastic rod. For fusing, the temperatures of the edges and the rod are approximately equalized by a flow of hot air.
