Discovered a number of cracks around the screw holes on the plastic cover of my Dometic Duo-Therm unit.I have written Dometic asking what type of plastic they use as I want to use proper method and materials.Different plastics require different adhesives or methods i.e. thermoplastic not same as thermo-setting.I am expecting them to tell me to buy a new cover but thought someone here might know the answer.I can do adhesive and I also have equipment to melt the plastic and reinforce with the correct type plastic if I knew what the plastic was.PVC, ABS, PP, HDPE etc

Acetone should work. Try on a sample piece first.

I'm pretty sure the cover will be made of ABS. Try a dab of ABS glue on it.Jose

Best advice, particularly if preventive rather than repair is to remove the screws and use a stainless steel fender washer to spread the load on the cover.I also put a piece of Eternabond between washer and cover to add surface area with good contact, as the covers can be slightly curved vs the washers.Aluminum tape (for home HVAC ducts) makes a good quick patch on the inside of the cover.Yes, you can get more exotic with the repair, but the above is quick and works pretty well.

Get a 1.25" wide aluminum strap wide enough to extend about 1" past each hole. Drill holes in the correct place. Someone makes them. I saw them at a show. I think they were called shroud savers.

If it's worth saving, great, but if it's old and brittle, no.

Cracked AC plastic cover | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

opnspaces
Navigator III
Jun 20, 2015
I think it was popup gizmos that sold a shroud brace. But I just looked and it's not on their website. A quick Google search will pull up some pictures though so you can see how easy they are to make.
Scooter_Alfa
Explorer
Jun 20, 2015
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2oldman
Explorer II
Jun 19, 2015
If it's worth saving, great, but if it's old and brittle, no.
Big_Katuna
Explorer II
Jun 19, 2015
Get a 1.25" wide aluminum strap wide enough to extend about 1" past each hole. Drill holes in the correct place. Someone makes them. I saw them at a show.

I think they were called shroud savers.
wolfe10
Explorer
Jun 19, 2015
Best advice, particularly if preventive rather than repair is to remove the screws and use a stainless steel fender washer to spread the load on the cover.

I also put a piece of Eternabond between washer and cover to add surface area with good contact, as the covers can be slightly curved vs the washers.

Aluminum tape (for home HVAC ducts) makes a good quick patch on the inside of the cover.

Yes, you can get more exotic with the repair, but the above is quick and works pretty well.
DaHose
Explorer
Jun 19, 2015
I'm pretty sure the cover will be made of ABS. Try a dab of ABS glue on it.

Jose
icanon
Explorer
Jun 19, 2015
Acetone should work. Try on a sample piece first.

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Cracked AC plastic cover

17 Replies

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