2 cracks in the back of polycarbonate case and scratch repair?

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2 cracks in the back of polycarbonate case and scratch repair?

Hi, i'm new and I recently acquired a broken imac g5 20 inch non isight that I am repiring.

There are 2 cracks on the behind edges of the case. On is about one inch long and one is half inch. There a way to repair and seal it and make it unnoticable?

There are also scratches and scuff marks everywhere. Is it okay if I use auto headlight restorers, like Turtle Wax Lens Repair? Will the sanding process make it worse?

iMac G5 20, gen 1

Posted on Oct 31, 2010 9:02 PM

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Answer 1

WZZZ

Level 6

13,238 points

Nov 1, 2010 8:54 AM in response to marcker

I think the case might be acrylic, but not sure. If it is, you might be able to repair the cracks with methylene chloride (I buy it from a plastics supply shop) which is an acrylic solvent. If the case isn't acrylic, the methylene chloride won't do anything at all to it, just evaporate quickly. I'd practice on something else first. Apply some to the inside of the crack, then hold the two sides together for a few minutes. I use an eye dropper. But first be sure the two sides will move together under pressure. If they won't, then it's probably pointless. This has to be done carefully. If it runs outside the cracks, it will leave trace marks as it dissolves the plastic. For the scratches and scuff marks, you could try jewelers rouge.

I doubt you'll get a completely "unnoticeable" result, but there may be an improvement to the point where it doesn't bother you as much.

Make sure you seal up all the vents and ports so no dust will be able to enter.

Message was edited by: WZZZ

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