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Repairing Plastic Water Tank for Westy Sink.

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 3:08 pm
by Sluggo
The water tank for my sink cracked after the tank froze on a camping trip. I want to repair it because they don't make new ones and any replacement I buy will be just as old. I tried sealing tape but it only lasted a few days. I want to try fiberglass but want to make sure it will work before I do it because I can't just peel away the fiberglass if it doesn't work.

Any suggestions?

Re: Repairing Plastic Water Tank for Westy Sink.

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 3:46 pm
by Lanval
Why not use your current one for a template, and fab up a new one. Bet stainless would work pretty well...

Michael L

Re: Repairing Plastic Water Tank for Westy Sink.

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 7:32 pm
by Amskeptic
Lanval wrote:Why not use your current one for a template, and fab up a new one. Bet stainless would work pretty well...

Michael L
Are these things like the early plastic water bottles for cooling systems, that weird white plastic? Couldn't you just slather the thing entirely with clear rtv or your fiberglass resin junko?
Colin

Re: Repairing Plastic Water Tank for Westy Sink.

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 8:57 pm
by RSorak 71Westy
I'm wondering if fiberglass resin will stick to the slick plastic. The best idea I've seen here is to fab a new one. Stainless can be welded with a mig welder and the right wire.

Re: Repairing Plastic Water Tank for Westy Sink.

Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 2:44 pm
by Sluggo
Yep. Same exact opaque white plastic as those old tanks. The plastic isn't really slick. And I could just rough it up. My worry is will the fiberglass really create a seal? Never welded before and can't afford the equipment right now. I thought of plastic welding but that's expensive too.

Re: Repairing Plastic Water Tank for Westy Sink.

Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 6:22 pm
by vdubyah73
if the crackis high and not huge, maybe just goop it with 3m-5200 or less tenacious 3m-4200. scuff, then clean the area with whatever the 3m label tells you to use for clean up after use. the stuff is made for under water and waterproof seals on boats. everything from through hull fittings on the bottom to portholes. the 4200 came about because when 5200 sealed stuff had to be taken apart, a porthole for example, wood fibers would be torn from the mounting surface.

i've also used marine-tex to repair the plastic joints of a basketball hoop. it held for a couple years.

Re: Repairing Plastic Water Tank for Westy Sink.

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 9:36 am
by Sluggo
vdubyah73 wrote:if the crackis high and not huge
Crack is on the bottom and about 8 inches long. There is also a crack beginning on the side and a 1 inch hole on top of the bend at the halfway point. Guess I should just get another tank and modify the cabinet to fit it.

Re: Repairing Plastic Water Tank for Westy Sink.

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:34 am
by vdubyah73
google rv water bladder. you might find something suitable. loosing the og rigid tank opens enough space to carry nearly everything needed to pull an engine and r/r the clutch. you could use the bottom of the other side for the bladder, just box it in and top of box is new bottom shelf, or stand it up on the og tank side and box it in. use extra space, if any for storage. there are also collapsable water jugs available, i've seen 5 gallon ones when i had a boat. flexible enough to make work?