5-Jun-09 Talked with Lee regarding glues for repair of ABS boats.
[Note: Lee has semi-retired after 37 years in the plastics business.
He works as a consultant for Spartech now and is reached on his cell
phone.]

Discussing types of plastic, Lee mentioned the Royalix has the foam core
while Royalite is solid.  This discussion was for Royalix ABS repair.

Lee recommends an ABS epoxy repair kit made by West System (Gougeon
Brothers). G/flex 655-K Kit contains 655 Resin and 655 hardener, prep
the surface with 80 grit sandpaper. 

According to West System, this epoxy has a tensile adhesion of 1535
psi when bonding to ABS plastic.  Lee said it has the same dermoeter?
(expansion/contraction) as ABS.  Part number
88-5???.  Cures with an exothermic reaction of 140 degrees.

Sold by Confluence, Easley, SC; We-no-nah canoes (WI), and Old Town
(ME), NRS, NOC, etc,.

We discussed putting ABS sheets (scrap or from other boats) into an
oven to form it and use for a repair.  ABS softens about 300-350 deg F.
(When making a boat the temp is 159-150 deg C.]

Another option is make ABS Putty.

Grind up some ABS, put in small jar.  Pour in MEK so it's almost (but
not quite) covered.  Be careful not to use too much MEK as it will
leach into the boat and and weaken the ABS.  Cover with an airtight cap,
after a day stir it.  When ready it should have the consistency of
cold mollasses, and pour really slowly.

Once the putty is used for a repair, use wax paper over the repair
to hold the putty in place. (It won't stick to the wax paper.)  It
will take 6-8 hours to cure