How to Repair Plastic Using Baking Soda
Sodium bicarbonate is commonly known as baking soda. This multipurpose powder is useful in cooking, deodorizing and cleaning. Baking soda is a mild cleaning agent and is helpful in cleaning surfaces requiring a non-abrasive cleaner, such as fiberglass bathtubs and plastic containers. Combining it with another common household product, however, creates a strong bond that is useful in repairing plastics. Using baking soda to repair plastic materials is not a difficult process.
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Squirt a couple of drops of quick-setting glue--cyanoacrylate-- onto the crack, hole or dented surface of your plastic.
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Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda (enough to absorb the liquid) immediately onto the quick-setting glue. This will create a bonding material that fills the surface area.
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Repeat the method if the split, hole or dent is large.
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Sand the area with a medium-grit sandpaper after it dries, if necessary. This helps to create a smooth level surface.
References
Resources
Tips
- Baking soda is available on the baking goods aisle in your supermarket or discount store.
- Cyanoacrylate glue is available at discount stores, home supply stores and almost every grocery or pharmacy.
Warnings
- Use rubber gloves or be very careful when using cyanoacrylate-containing products--you can easily bond your fingertips together. If this happens, apply nail polish remover with acetone to loosen and remove the bond. You can also use straight acetone from hardware or home supply stores. Wash your hands thoroughly after using acetone and dry them well. Apply hand lotion to your hands, because acetone-products are very drying.
Writer Bio
Chelsea Fitzgerald covers topics related to family, health, green living and travel. Before her writing career, she worked in the medical field for 21 years. Fitzgerald studied education at the University of Arkansas and University of Memphis.
Photo Credits
- Normally/Photodisc/Getty Images
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