New trick for fixing loose ball joints

Discussion in 'Creative General Discussion' started by domshen, Feb 23, 2011.

  1. domshen

    domshen Radicon

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    I purchased some plastidip Specialty Protective Coatings & Adhesives, Protective Foam Coatings, Dissipative Coatings to coat the handles of some customizing tools that I was making and have been using it for all kinds of random things.

    Come to find out this stuff is AMAZING when brushed into a ball joint socket! All you need to do is take the socket off the ball and brush 1 coat of the plastidip inside of the socket and wipe any excess off the edges so its not exposed and let it sit for 4 to 5 ours. Pop the ball joint back in and it is factory tight if not better!
     

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  2. Rumble02

    Rumble02 Radicon of Obliticons

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    nice
     
  3. LemonPrime

    LemonPrime Greetings Programs

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    Looks promising. How much does it cost for a home-use can/bottle and is it available in stores or only online?
     
  4. domshen

    domshen Radicon

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    I picket up the home use can for $6 or $7 from ace hardware locally.
     
  5. Insane Galvatron

    Insane Galvatron is not insane. Really!

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    Doesn't that just put a rubber coating on it that will peel off under stress? I now it peels off the handles of tools pretty easy.
     
  6. domshen

    domshen Radicon

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    It really depends on the source material. Metal its going to come off easier than wood or plastic. I messed up on a project i was working on and needed to remove it from plastic and couldn't get it off without cutting it off.
     
  7. ErechOveraker

    ErechOveraker I'm with Plowking.

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    Yeah I don't think this is going to work in the confines of a regular ball joint, the stuff comes off pretty easy. Unless there is a new version which bonds stronger...?
     
  8. Jericho

    Jericho Well-Known Member

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    Couldn't you just use clear nail polish? I need something, the head on my WFC Prime is wobbly as all get out.
     
  9. frenzyrumble

    frenzyrumble Banned

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    this stuff comes in an aerosol can or as a liquid. it holds pretty well, but unsure about how it would hold up in a socket/stressed.
     
  10. primeone

    primeone PRIME

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  11. Zildjian

    Zildjian Well-Known Member

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    Hot glue works better. This plasti dip peels off with repeated use and can't be painted.

    Just take your ball from the ball joint and put a very fine coat of Vaseline on it, then take a hot glue gun and squirt a drop into the socket then quickly push the ball into the socket and wait 20 seconds. Pop the ball out of the socket and wipe off the excess Vaseline. Trim the excess hardened glue with a sharp knife and you have a super tight ball joint.
     
  12. Jericho

    Jericho Well-Known Member

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    You're assuming we all have hot glue guns :)  Would the glue not stick to the socket if you push it on right away?
     
  13. fakebusker83

    fakebusker83 Radicon

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    I've seen that stuff being sold at Harbor Freight Tools as well. Home Depot should also have some.

    Nice tip :) 
    Have you observed the toughness of the hot glue? Does it peel/rub off easily or does it stay because of the confines of the joint?
     
  14. rmac-69

    rmac-69 TF HUNTER

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    Don't you just love it when people don't read all of the comments and start spouting about how it won't work after you just post that you had to use a knife to cut it off. HaHaHa.

    Very nice idea. I'll have to try it. Thanks
     
  15. Ramrider

    Ramrider TF Art Lad

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    If you don't have a hot glue gun, I'd highly recommend one. They're not that expensive, and you'll quickly find how versatile that stuff can be. Aside from simple gluing, I use it for, among other things, gap-filling, simple moulds and casting, and even custom light piping!
     
  16. closetrat

    closetrat Well-Known Member

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    I've wondered about this - is it hard to make custom light-piping with hot glue, or just as straight-forward as it sounds?

    Need to replace the blue light-piping in TFTM Voyager Megatron...
     
  17. Fishdirt

    Fishdirt Tin Toy Transformer

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    Doesn't a bit of paint and future work a bit better? Not a criticizing question, just asking because this is what I've done recently but am waiting for everything to cure properly.
     
  18. minsok

    minsok Well-Known Member

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    I've been wondering about hot glue. That seems like a good choice because it would grip the plastic ball since it's flexible and porous. Glue guns are like 5 bucks. I'd really like to melt rubber in there or use a rubber adhesive. I've been wondering about acrylic wax. Acrylic Wax

    Super glue is okay, but it tends to cure smooth so very little friction. On lego bionicle ball sockets it always flakes off after a few months.
     
  19. domshen

    domshen Radicon

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    Minsok, that is why the plasti dip is awesome because it is a rubber compound. lots of people are saying "that wont work" blah blah. I have tried it and it worked wonderfully.
     
  20. GingaMagnus

    GingaMagnus Designated Toku Nerd

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    How would i apply it to my drift figures waist kibble that hold the swords?