# Can you plastic weld body panels? **URL:** \ **Category:** GEM Forum\ **Created:** [March 21, 2021, 8:48pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/can-you-plastic-weld-body-panels/21045 "2021-03-21T20:48:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sprinter4](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/sprinter4/32/8186_2.png) [@Sprinter4](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Sprinter4)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2021, 8:48pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/can-you-plastic-weld-body-panels/21045/1 "2021-03-21T20:48:31Z")
I was just given a 2002 GEM E4 and the rear fenders body panel is cracked. Can I plastic weld it? What kind of plastic is it? I have a hot air plastic welder and am competent using it. If I can do this I plan on repainting it. Thanks for any advice. ---
**Author:** ![JarJarJava](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/jarjarjava/32/15158_2.png) [@JarJarJava](https://community.electricforum.com/u/JarJarJava)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2021, 2:37am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/can-you-plastic-weld-body-panels/21045/2 "2021-03-22T02:37:05Z")
This has come up before and I honestly can’t remember if anything was determined if it’s welding it or junking it, why not just try welding it ---
**Author:** ![Sprinter4](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/sprinter4/32/8186_2.png) [@Sprinter4](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Sprinter4)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2021, 5:28am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/can-you-plastic-weld-body-panels/21045/3 "2021-03-22T05:28:00Z")
If you use the wrong plastic rod, it will not bond together and the weld basically will just fall apart. I did a fairing on a Suzuki GSXR a few years ago and could not get the right rod to make it stick. ---
**Author:** ![JarJarJava](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/jarjarjava/32/15158_2.png) [@JarJarJava](https://community.electricforum.com/u/JarJarJava)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2021, 5:43am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/can-you-plastic-weld-body-panels/21045/4 "2021-03-22T05:43:25Z")
Well, it sounds like you have an entire fender to experiment with then. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Illingworth](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/david_illingworth/32/2671_2.png) [@David\_Illingworth](https://community.electricforum.com/u/David_Illingworth)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2021, 4:32pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/can-you-plastic-weld-body-panels/21045/5 "2021-03-22T16:32:50Z")
I have found that Loctite Epoxy Plastic Bonder works very good and fixing cracked or snapped in half plastics. It has worked for me every time I have used it. Highly recommend giving it a try. [Loctite ® Epoxy Plastic (loctiteproducts.com)](https://www.loctiteproducts.com/en/products/build/epoxies/loctite_epoxy_plastic.html) ---
**Author:** ![MikeKC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MikeKC](https://community.electricforum.com/u/MikeKC)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2021, 6:09pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/can-you-plastic-weld-body-panels/21045/6 "2021-03-22T18:09:38Z")
I have found the same as @David_Illingworth - it works well, I have also reinforced cracked areas with the Locitite and a piece of cut up credit card or rewards card on the back side. ---
**Author:** ![LithiumGods](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/lithiumgods/32/672_2.png) [@LithiumGods](https://community.electricforum.com/u/LithiumGods)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 12:20am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/can-you-plastic-weld-body-panels/21045/7 "2021-03-23T00:20:03Z")
That’s where my credit card went ---
**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 6:42am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/can-you-plastic-weld-body-panels/21045/8 "2021-03-23T06:42:53Z")
@LithiumGods - If you use the wifes’ card you might save even more in the long run. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Illingworth](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/david_illingworth/32/2671_2.png) [@David\_Illingworth](https://community.electricforum.com/u/David_Illingworth)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 1:09pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/can-you-plastic-weld-body-panels/21045/9 "2021-03-23T13:09:57Z")
I haven’t used the extra plastic for support but that’s a great idea and one of the wife’s credit cards disappearing is a win win. A few weeks ago my water softener stopped working. I found a plastic valve inside had broken in half. Of course you can’t buy the valve so I used this stuff to glue it back together. It’s as good as new. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://community.electricforum.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2021, 8:27pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/can-you-plastic-weld-body-panels/21045/10 "2021-03-25T20:27:04Z")
Use body panel adhesive on the back side with some aluminum sheet as backer. Be sure to scuff the aluminum with some 36 or 80 grit. ---
**Author:** ![Jh6626](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Jh6626](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Jh6626)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 5:40pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/can-you-plastic-weld-body-panels/21045/12 "2021-06-29T17:40:15Z")
I have a related problem folks. Have a 05 GEM ES and after 15 years of flawless performance - the flooring began to crack up behind the brake pedal. Thought it normal wear and tear, so had the floor replaced a couple years ago for about $1500. After 6 months of gentle use - the floor failed again in same area! Took it back to POLARIS dealer and they graciously replaced the flooring and checked the frame for clues to why it failed again - at no cost to me. Yesterday, 6 months hence there is ANOTHER crack same place!!! Anyone have any ideas what the root cause is please??? ---
**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 7:32pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/can-you-plastic-weld-body-panels/21045/13 "2021-06-29T19:32:59Z")
Can you post a few pics? Maybe even underside too?