How to Stop Cracks in Plexiglas
Plexiglas can be found in common items such as a motorcycle windshield or a clear patio tabletop. Cracked Plexiglas eventually needs to be replaced for safety reasons. The risk of Plexiglas shattering or splitting into two or more pieces is greater if the material has a crack. If you have a crack in a piece of Plexiglas, a few steps will protect it from shattering or splitting until you can have it replaced. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Safety goggles
- Plexiglas
- Electric drill
- 1/32-inch drill bits
- Plexiglas cement
- Strip of Plexiglas 1/2 inch wide, cut to the length of the crack
Instructions
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Drill a small hole at the leading edge of the crack to stop it from spreading. The leading edge of the crack is the point at which the crack has stopped growing, not the crack's starting point. Be sure to wear your safety goggles when drilling. Use a 1/32-inch drill bit to make the smallest possible hole at the edge of the crack all the way through the Plexiglas.
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Fill in the crack with acrylic cement formulated for Plexiglas. Products with an injection nozzle will help get the cement deep into the crack where it can do the most benefit. Wipe off excess cement quickly to prevent streaking.
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Buy a pre-cut strip of Plexiglas 1/2 inch wide from a hardware store or home improvement center equipped to cut the material for you. The strip should be the length of the crack, or buy strips in shorter sections if the crack has spread in a zigzag fashion.
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Use the cement to attach the narrow pieces of Plexiglas to the back of the crack to reinforce the entire sheet of Plexiglas.
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Tips & Warnings
Get someone at the hardware store to cut a strip of Plexiglas for you. Cutting the material requires specialized tools and skills.
Always wear safety goggles when drilling Plexiglas. Stopping cracks in Plexiglas is usually a temporary measure. For safety, cracked Plexiglas should be replaced as soon as possible.
