How to repair the plastic on Cox planes

jmendoza wrote:Many people have tried to repair the plastic on the Cox planes using a variety of glues, and techniques. One way is to drill holes and stitch the seams together using glue, as this add strength.   I have found a product called Plastex which works great and uses a solvent which chemically welds the plastic back together. It comes with some powdered plastic to add to the repair if parts are missing or need re-enforcement. The filler plastic is available in white, clear, or black/grey, which is the strongest of the three.   The solvent is actually an acrylic monomer, very stinky and probably toxic, so be careful. Like all repairs, your nee to remove all traces of oil.  They also give you a piece of special rubber that can be used to replicate and mold parts. You simply place the rubber in boiling water and while it is soft, you push it onto a good part to make an impression of the part you are missing. Then after it cools, you put it in place on the broken part and fill in the missing areas with the plastic powder and solvent and let it cure, then peel off your rubber mold.....very slick and works great.

The stuff is available from motorcycle shops, used for repair to plastic body work, and you can find it online under Plastex

My PT-19 split from the nose to past the rear pilots cockpit, and two drops of the monomer solvent repaired it perfectly.

Jay Mendoza