Automotive Plastics: Triumph 2500s rear trim, hot melt glue, oven lid

Question

2500s_trim   QUESTION: I have a panel like this that has snapped in two pieces in the middle. It has no markings as to the type of plastic. How should I try join it?

ANSWER: Dear Geoff, Thank you for sending a picture of the trim, it helps a lot. Automotive parts made before 1996 rarely bear an identifying recycling code. Therefore we have to try welding the panel with the help of a 40 watts soldering iron.(I suppose it is thermoplastic)a cheap wooden handle Chinese iron will do. The only thing is that you have to modify the original tip to get a chisel-like shape. From the photo, I see the exposed side has plenty of ribs so I would fix the part only in the back & let the front untouched.

Fit the two parts snuggly and do some welds by approaching the tip along the crack. then get a discarded perforated metal loudspeaker cover grille (like the one you have in your microwave oven lid screen)but thinner, cut some 10mm.x5mm squares and insert them into the polymer as deep as you can by pushing carefully with the iron.No need to insert the whole crack, just intersperse a few but the most important will be those that go in the very extremes, where the fissure originated.For additional strength: apply hot melt glue on top or overlap a plastic compatible sheet from a tv or printer case extending 2 inches at both sides of the repaired area. insert some squares in the perimeter and add up glue in contact places.A non-thermoplastic, write again. If directions are not clear enough please let me know for additional support. Thanks

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QUESTION: Thankyou Octavio, i'm afraid the 'ribs' are on the back side too, so there's only about 3mm of plastic touching.
:(

Answer
Hi Geoff, may be I was not clear enough last time. I suggested not welding the ribs in the visible part just to avoid painting or any additional job. in fact ribs a good way to strengthen plastics. the idea is to weld in the back and if the results are ok for you, we can leave things at this stage.Please send a close-up picture of the part and I will send you pictures with examples and explanations of similar repairs.Do not worry about lacking experience in this jobs. You can learn and practice the procedure with waste plastics and when mastered, apply it to the trim. My mail: manual@bumper2bumperplasticsrepair.com  Please mention the words "triumph trim" in the subject box, so I can realize is not spam.Thank you again for considering plastics repair an eco-altenative.