Repairing such a body element in a repair shop does not seem very profitable due to the high cost of equipment and materials required for such repairs.
The technology is based on creating a groove along the crack line in the plastic using a rotary file inserted into an electric drill. The damaged parts are then welded together using a heat gun, which is used to heat and fuse a plastic filler rod into the groove. The excess plastic is then removed and the entire area is machined to create a smooth, even surface.
It is very important that the correct grade of plastic filler rod is used, as body parts can be made from different types of plastic (such as polycarbonate, ABS, polypropylene).
Lesser damage (abrasions, small cracks, etc.) can be repaired in the repair shop using an epoxy repair solution consisting of two components. When mixed in equal proportions, this solution is used to repair the body similar to the use of body filler on metal surfaces. The filler usually hardens in 20 to 30 minutes and is ready for sanding and painting.
If a car enthusiast independently replaces an entire body element or repairs it using epoxy solution, he will have the problem of finding paint that would be compatible with the type of plastic used.
The use of universal paints is impossible due to the large number of different types of plastic that body parts are made of. Conventional types of paint, generally speaking, will not adhere well to plastic or rubber.
However, now it is possible to purchase a kit for the final stage of plastic processing, which includes a composition for preliminary processing of the plastic surface, a composition for primary processing and multi-colored compositions for applying the final layer.
A full list of application instructions is usually included with the kit, but basically the method of using it involves applying the pre-mix to the surface to be treated and then waiting 30 minutes for it to dry.
The primer is then applied and allowed to dry for about an hour before the coloured topcoat is applied. The result is a body part painted in the desired colour, where the paint adheres firmly to the rubber or plastic surface. Regular paint does not provide these benefits.
(Data taken from this portal: «NissanBook.ru»)