Symbol & Type

How to identify

Typical Usage

Suggested Repair Method

Repair Tips

PUR, RIM, RRIM Thermoset polyurethane

Usually flexible, maybe yellow or gray, bubbles and smokes when attempting to melt.

Flexible bumper covers (esp. on domestics), filler panels, rocker panel covers, snowmobile cowls.

Method A w/ urethane rod or Method C w/ Uni-Weld FiberFlex

Don't try to melt the base material! Just melt the rod into the v-groove like a hot melt glue.

SMC, UP, FRP Fiberglass

Rigid, polyester matrix reinforced with glass fibers, sands finely

Rigid body panels, fenders, hoods, deck lids, header panels, spoilers

Method E - two-part epoxy repair with fiberglass reinforcement.

Use backing plate over holes, layer in fiberglass cloth for extra strength and to approximate thermal expansion

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

Rigid, often white but may be molded in any color, sands finely. Very pungent odor when heated.

Instrument panels, grilles, trim moldings, consoles, armrest supports, street bike fairings.

Method B w/ ABS rod (5003R3), or Method D Insta-Weld adhesive repair, or Method E Two-Part epoxy repair

Weld repairs may be backed with epoxy for extra strength.

EEBC (Ether Ester Block Copolymer)

Flexible, off-white in color, similar in appearance to PUR (Lomod by GE)

Rocker cover moldings, bumper extensions (91-96 DeVille)

Method C w/ Uni-Weld FiberFlex (5003R10)

EMA (Ethylene Meth- acrylic Acid)

Semirigid, molded in a variety of colors, unpainted (Bexloy W by DuPont)

Bumper covers (Dodge Neon 1st generation base model)

Method C with Uni-Weld FiberFlex (5003R10) or Method B with slivers cut from scrap.

Sand entire bumper for refinishing, restore texture with Flex Tex (3800).

PA Polyamide (Nylon)

Semirigid or rigid, sands finely

Radiator tanks, headlamp bezels, exterior trim finish parts

Method B w/ nylon rod (5003R6)

Preheat plastic with heat gun before welding, mix rod completely with base material.

PC + ABS Pulse (Polycarbonate & ABS)

Rigid, sands finely, usually dark in color

Door skins (Saturn), instrument panels, street bike fairings

Method B w/ Polycarbonate rod (5003R7), or Methods D or E adhesive repairs

Preheat plastic with heat gun before welding with Method B.

PC + PBT Xenoy (Polycarbonate blend)

Rigid, sands finely, usually dark in color

Bumper covers (primarily Ford products, 84-95 Taurus, Aerostar, some Mercedes and Hyundai's)

Method B w/ polycarbonate rod (5003R7), Method C, or Method E adhesive repairs.

Preheat plastic with heat gun before welding with Method B.

PE Polyethylene

Semiflexible, melts & smears when grinding, usually semi-translucent.

Overflow tanks, inner fender panels, valences, interior trim panels, RV water storage tanks, gas tanks

Method B w/ polyethylene rod (5003R4) or Method C w/ FiberFlex (5003R10)

Applying filler or painting is nearly impossible.

PP Polypropylene

Semiflexible, usually black in color, melts & smears when grinding

Bumper covers (usually blended with EPDM), inner fenders, radiator shrouds, interior panels, gas tanks

Method C with Uni-Weld FiberFlex (5003R10) or Method B with polypropylene rod (5003R2)

Use 1060FP Filler Prep adhesion promoter when applying two-part epoxy filler

PPO + PA Noryl GTX (Nylon blend)

Semi-rigid, sands finely, usually off-white in color.

Fenders (Saturn & GM), exterior trim

Method B w/ nylon rod (5003R6), or Methods D or E adhesive repairs

Preheat plastic with heat gun before welding with Method B.

TEEE (Thermoplastic Ether Ester Elastomer)

Flexible or Semiflexible (Bexloy V by duPont)

Bumper covers (especially on domestics, filler panels, rocker panel covers.)

Method C w/ Uni-Weld Fiberflex (5003R10) or Method B w/ slivers cut from scrap.

TPE Thermoplastic Elastomer

Semi-flexible, usually black or gray, melts & smears when grinding.

Bumper covers, filler panels, underhood parts.

Method C with Uni-Weld FiberFlex (5003R10)

Use 1060FP Filler Prep adhesion promoter before applying two-part epoxy filler.

TPO, EPM, TEO Thermoplastic Olefin

Semiflexible, usually black or gray in color, melts & smears when grinding

Bumper covers, air dams, grilles, interior parts, instrument panels, snowmobile cowls.

Method C with Uni-Weld FiberFlex (5003R10) or Method B w/ PP or TPO rod.

Use 1060FP Filler Prep adhesion promoter when applying two-part epoxy filler

TPU, TPU - Thermoplastic Polyurethane

Flexible, sands finely

Bumper covers, soft filler panels, gravel deflectors, rocker panel covers

Method B w/ urethane rod (5003R1) or Method C w/ Uni-Weld FiberFlex (5003R10)