1863 Nose Piece Repair (new pics added)
 

My 1863 has about six cracks in the nose piece and I really don’t want to spend $200 or so for a new piece so I’m going to try to repair it. Problem I’m having is the way it’s molded and where it cracked when I pull one crack together it separates others so I’m working against myself. I’m not sure if gluing it would be a very good long-term solution. What I’m thinking of doing is drilling the end of each crack to prevent further cracks and then fiberglassing the existing cracks followed by some body filler and then paint. What say you?

On the inside surfaces, as long as it would not interfere with anything, I would fabricate some patches out of aluminum flashing that would overlap the cracks as much as possible, and lay them into a wet layer of fiberglass and topped with more fiberglass. Also be sure to rough up the surfaces pretty good for the fiberglass to adhere to. And don't forget to keep us updated. We like progress pics.

research a product called plast-aid
I used it to repair a hood and nose piece on a 2182 several year ago.
Good stuff

I agree with plast-aid. I've used it successfully on the cyclops plastic. I repaired the studs on a hood.

What type of plastic are the panels made of?

Xenoy, I believe.

I started using Plast-Aid about 4-5 years ago. Haven't had any failures yet. I also back up the repair with dry wall corner bead cut to fit the repair. The holes let the Plast-Aid have something to grab on to.

I'm not sure the Plast-Aid makes a true chemical bond so I'm going to search 3M for something compaitible with the Exenoy material.



https://www.lowes.com/pd/Dietrich-Me...r-Bead/3110439

I wouldn't try to use any type of Bondo or body filler. To much flexing going on for it to hold.

I repaired mine a couple years ago using Gorilla glue and aluminum reinforcements, cut and shaped as needed. So far no failures. My yard is hilly and rocky, so there is a lot moving around.

So what is everyone using for the off white paint on an 1863?

I fixed my 1863 last year with some aluminum pieces. Still holding today. Mow about 3.5 acres.

Looks like a good fix!