What did you do to your Ranger today? (Part Deux!)

[Stankard757]

Do you know the baking soda and superglue plastic fix? YouTube search it. If you have the pieces, you can put them all back together, and it will be stronger than the original. And you can whittle it down with a Roto tool if you use too much.

Also, if there are any cracks in your dashboard: I use the Roto tool to take all of the extra vinyl edge off and all of the oxidized foam out, so there was a clean hole, noting rotten or sticking up. Then I filled it in with a hot glue gun. You just have to go slow and make sure it’s sticking to the base. Then, basically, you can overfill it, let it harden, and then you can sand it down flat, and then you can paint it. I did it on my 87, two pretty big, deep, grooves, and it came out like new, literally. I always joke, but I’m dead serious, I painted it with semi gloss black Rustoleum with a nappy roller, so it had a texture, and you couldn’t even see what I did the repairs. A year later, one little tiny, crack has reappeared, not worth fixing yet.

Edit afterthought: even if you don’t have all the pieces, dig in your scrap pile for something that you can carve into the right thing, right shape, and stick it on the same way.

Fine sand, cinnamon etc.. will work also. Used them all in my woodworking. Today we're gonna plastic weld with zip ties.

 

[Stankard757]

Do you know the baking soda and superglue plastic fix? YouTube search it. If you have the pieces, you can put them all back together, and it will be stronger than the original. And you can whittle it down with a Roto tool if you use too much.

Also, if there are any cracks in your dashboard: I use the Roto tool to take all of the extra vinyl edge off and all of the oxidized foam out, so there was a clean hole, noting rotten or sticking up. Then I filled it in with a hot glue gun. You just have to go slow and make sure it’s sticking to the base. Then, basically, you can overfill it, let it harden, and then you can sand it down flat, and then you can paint it. I did it on my 87, two pretty big, deep, grooves, and it came out like new, literally. I always joke, but I’m dead serious, I painted it with semi gloss black Rustoleum with a nappy roller, so it had a texture, and you couldn’t even see what I did the repairs. A year later, one little tiny, crack has reappeared, not worth fixing yet.

Edit afterthought: even if you don’t have all the pieces, dig in your scrap pile for something that you can carve into the right thing, right shape, and stick it on the same way.

Well the plastic welding didn't go as planned. Wasnt expecting much, but wanted to try. So fell back on the oldie but goodie baking soda and CA which worked as usual..

 

[Rick W]

I did some things with the Road Ranger today, and I posted it on my build page. I also did some tinkering on the Missing Linc and the trailer I’m building for it.

Part of it was painting. Unrelated, while cutting the grass, I discovered several ancient cans of rust oleum (at least 20 years old, maybe 30) in my shed (the shed was the original shed of miracles before I built the garage). Truly amazing stuff, when I opened them up, the pigments had settled, but after a stir, it was all as good as new.

I also buy a pair of $20 Walmart cheap as I can get sneakers about once a year solely for the purpose of painting (something I learned after ruining good shoes several times). Well, over the years, even the quality of these cheap shoes has gone downhill and the current pair hasn’t made it to the end of the year without the sole coming down on one. I wasn’t sure if I should post this here, or in the homemade tool section, or wherever. But I was able to do a repair on the shoe, and I’m sure it will take me into the spring. BTW, I used that E6000 silicone glue stuff. My admiration is right up there with Rustoleum.

 

[ITSA 7]

Finished installing the fuel cell and fuel lines up to the carburetor. Battery boxes are next.

 

[ben_2_go]

I'm worried about removing my dash bezel to replace the dash lights. Damn thing might fall apart.

 

[Rick W]

I'm worried about removing my dash bezel to replace the dash lights. Damn thing might fall apart.

All I’ve ever had on the Road Ranger dash is the right turn signal and one back light bulb on the left side of the speedometer. I have the same heartburn.

 

[rubydist]

@Rick W - be careful where you put those old paint cans - I have had the old steel cans rust enough that after I stirred the paint up, pretty soon the can was leaking...

 

[Rick W]

@Rick W - be careful where you put those old paint cans - I have had the old steel cans rust enough that after I stirred the paint up, pretty soon the can was leaking...

Agreed. I already mixed the sliver with a newer can. The others will be used up in the next month or two.

Honestly I’m disappointed in everyone for not jumping on me more about fixing my throw away shoes. What a waste of bait….

 

[snoranger]

Agreed. I already mixed the sliver with a newer can. The others will be used up in the next month or two.

Honestly I’m disappointed in everyone for not jumping on me more about fixing my throw away shoes. What a waste of bait….

One of the guys at work siliconed the sole back on his work boot and wrapped it with duct tape over the weekend… we’re not here to judge the dumb things we do.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I'm worried about removing my dash bezel to replace the dash lights. Damn thing might fall apart.

On an '01 I wouldn't be too worried about it, I pulled the bezel out of my '97 (same part) a couple years ago and it was just fine, same with my '98 Explorer when I changed it's bulbs. The problem with the trim on my '97 F350 is previous owner induced, no one seems to know that there are screws behind the trim strips toward the bottom and break them...

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Took some fabric and patched some tears in the seat.

 

[ericbphoto]

we’re not here to judge the dumb things we do.

Actually, we do that a lot, in a joking sort if way. RickW got away with it this time. I have seen so many people at work patch and repair work shoes over the years that I'm numb to it.

 

[Rick W]

One of the guys at work siliconed the sole back on his work boot and wrapped it with duct tape over the weekend… we’re not here to judge the dumb things we do.

I know that, but I figured it be pretty quick to judge the dumb things somebody else does (like me) once you get to know me a little bit….

 

[ben_2_go]

On an '01 I wouldn't be too worried about it, I pulled the bezel out of my '97 (same part) a couple years ago and it was just fine, same with my '98 Explorer when I changed it's bulbs. The problem with the trim on my '97 F350 is previous owner induced, no one seems to know that there are screws behind the trim strips toward the bottom and break them...

Thanks, man. That makes me feel better.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

There is a product called Shoe Goo for repairing shoes. It comes in a big tube. Check your local hardware store, big box store, or Tractor Supply.

No Andrew Dice Clay lines about "goo", please.