DIY Acrylic repair (1 Viewer)

[Jeremy P]

I have an acrylic tank with a bad seam that is slowly leaking and I want to try fixing it. I’ve been reading and it seems there are two main options: use something thick like Weldon 40 to pour a ~3/8” bevel in the seam or weld an acrylic rod in the seam.

Does anyone have any recommendations one way or another?

Because I like symmetry, I’ll probably do all of the seams.

Thanks.


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[Varig]

Is the tank super big or otherwise special to you? I guess what’s the main reason for fixing versus using this as a good excuse to upgrade?

I assume it’s totally dry now and you’re just leak testing and trying to make it safe? I’m not an acrylic expert, but I’d think you’d start by getting it totally clean. Then depending on how big the gap is I’d try to flow some of the watery thin Weld On 4 into the seam. I will wick in there and soften/rebond the acrylic. Then I think you’re right, the safest is then belt and suspenders, meaning to flow in a fillet of thick weld on 40 or similar into the inner seams.

Again though, I think it all depends on how large the tank is to how much you’d risk with a fix versus new.

 

[Jposch]

Slow leak, clean the seams very well ans let them dry well. Then, use a syringe to apply weldon 16 to the leaking seam. That should be all you need most times, but you can do a follow up with weldon 40. With weldon 40, you want to tip the tank so the seam you are doing has gravity to help the weldon 40 lay down nicely and self level. You are supposed to sand the surface lightly before applying weldon 40, but I haven't had an issue not sanding. Weldon 40 is a process. You need to wait hours before topping the tank to do the next seam. Ends up taking a few days to do every seam on a tank.
Weldon 4 is not often useful for correctly poorly welded seams on a used tank. Its too thin, and can run right though and make a mess.

 

[Varig]

I humbly bow to your expertise my friend

 

[Jposch]

I humbly bow to your expertise my friend

Ha. Im not expert, but I've repair a few piles of .

 

[Jeremy P]

Thank you. I’ll give the 16 a try and see how it goes. I can leak test it in the laundry room so no risk of damage if that isn’t enough and need the 40.