Does anyone have a good method of repairing the "hinge straps" that hold the newer RIC thermoplastic cases in the open position? I have a couple of cases in which the straps have pulled out. It appears the ends were originally glued on to the inside of the plastic case housing. But to get at the place where they were originally glued to try and re-fasten them, you would have to pry out the blue-covered molded styrofoam, which appears impossible to do without damaging the case interior. And even if you got that far, what glue would be used to re-fasten? Or would another attachment method be better?
I assume I am not the only one who has experienced this problem. I searched for solutions on prior threads, but did not come up with anything.
Constructive suggestions welcome!
RIC Plastic Case - Hinge Strap Repair
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
Re: RIC Plastic Case - Hinge Strap Repair
The following suggestion is courtesy of a recent post by a new member on the "other" forum:
My goal was to pop-rivet the straps into place.
I used a wide blade putty knife to extract the liner from the top and bottom of the case shell. I started at the back side and slid the blade in-between the shell and the liner, gently prying all the way around the perimeter of the case. When I found the area with the most "give", I slipped my hand underneath and popped the liner free...it is only heavily spot-glued in a couple locations, contact spray glued the remainder. The liner itself is simply cheap Styrofoam, so be careful not to break it!
Once the liner was removed, I measured the straps and decided where the rivets must go in order that they line-up when the case is closed. This is for aesthetic purposes only...you can pop-rivet them in the same location where they were originally glued if you like. Be sure to: 1) Use a larger rivet (I used 3/8”) so it does not pull through the plastic shell and 2) Use an aluminum pop-rivet backing washer between the strap and the back of the rivet, otherwise the rivet will pull through the strap itself. You can also use a fender washer, but make sure it is not steel, or it will rust; and we don't want to go there!
Once secured, I put the foam liner back in place. The existing glue remained tacky, so no further gluing was necessary. The liner is a friction fit in the first place; not adding additional glue will make future repairs (God forbid) easier as well.
To finish-up, I again used the putty knife to push the velvet back into the seam. Voila!
While you’re in repair mode, cut some self-adhesive Velcro strips (the loop portion) to fit the top of the latches thus helping to prevent inadvertent scrapes to the back of your Rick. I haven’t managed to damage it yet, but “comes a time”.
My goal was to pop-rivet the straps into place.
I used a wide blade putty knife to extract the liner from the top and bottom of the case shell. I started at the back side and slid the blade in-between the shell and the liner, gently prying all the way around the perimeter of the case. When I found the area with the most "give", I slipped my hand underneath and popped the liner free...it is only heavily spot-glued in a couple locations, contact spray glued the remainder. The liner itself is simply cheap Styrofoam, so be careful not to break it!
Once the liner was removed, I measured the straps and decided where the rivets must go in order that they line-up when the case is closed. This is for aesthetic purposes only...you can pop-rivet them in the same location where they were originally glued if you like. Be sure to: 1) Use a larger rivet (I used 3/8”) so it does not pull through the plastic shell and 2) Use an aluminum pop-rivet backing washer between the strap and the back of the rivet, otherwise the rivet will pull through the strap itself. You can also use a fender washer, but make sure it is not steel, or it will rust; and we don't want to go there!
Once secured, I put the foam liner back in place. The existing glue remained tacky, so no further gluing was necessary. The liner is a friction fit in the first place; not adding additional glue will make future repairs (God forbid) easier as well.
To finish-up, I again used the putty knife to push the velvet back into the seam. Voila!
While you’re in repair mode, cut some self-adhesive Velcro strips (the loop portion) to fit the top of the latches thus helping to prevent inadvertent scrapes to the back of your Rick. I haven’t managed to damage it yet, but “comes a time”.
Re: RIC Plastic Case - Hinge Strap Repair
And finally, a "less is more" suggestion from the other forum:
Put a dab of crazy glue on it and jam it back in place with a knife. Worked fine for me.
Put a dab of crazy glue on it and jam it back in place with a knife. Worked fine for me.
Re: RIC Plastic Case - Hinge Strap Repair
+1libratune wrote:And finally, a "less is more" suggestion from the other forum:
Put a dab of crazy glue on it and jam it back in place with a knife. Worked fine for me.
I've used this technique to repair loose straps on a few of my cases, and it works fine (although I use more than just a dab!). Just take the usual precautions when using Crazy Glue (cyanoacrylate).
It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing. - Seneca
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beatlefreak
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Re: RIC Plastic Case - Hinge Strap Repair
Use the gel type super glue, rather than the thin stuff.