A while back, I posted about a problem http://nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php?t=151031&highlight=rodent but found no solution - until now:smile: The rubber boot covering the alternator must be especially tasty to the rodent populace because they almost completely devoured mine!
I found that in order to get a new boot from Acura, I have to purchase the $150 harness that it is attached to and I wasn't up for that :frown: Also, I was unable to find an acceptable alternate so I set about finding a way to fix what I had and it turned out to be pretty easy. Here are the supplies that I used:
The magic ingredient here is called Sugru http://sugru.com/. It is a form-able putty that, when hardened, becomes silicone rubber that is fully as flexible as the original material of the boot.
First, I washed the boot in a Dawn dish washing liquid solution and allowed it to dry. Next, I cleaned the eaten-off edges with acetone to promote adhesion of the new rubber. Then I opened a packet of Sugru, kneaded it and began to form it onto the boot. I used the rounded end of a broom handle to form the internal geometry of the bulb portion:
Here it is completely filled in with the Sugru:
Kind of looks like a chocolate Snoopy head, eh? Don't worry. After it fully hardened, I sanded it and then smoothed it out with fine steel wool:
....but that is still pretty ugly, right? The next step is where the Plasti Dip comes in. I plugged both ends and added a piece of coat hanger wire for hanging it out to dry:
I chose red for a little added bling but it is available in black or any of several other colors. It took 2 dip/dry cycles to get a smooth, glossy finish. After it was fully dried, I used an Xacto knife to trim the ends:
Nice, huh? Here it is installed:
I'm pretty happy with the result and very happy that I didn't have to spring for the $150 harness :biggrin: I can foresee many future uses for Sugru and intend to always keep some on hand.
I found that in order to get a new boot from Acura, I have to purchase the $150 harness that it is attached to and I wasn't up for that :frown: Also, I was unable to find an acceptable alternate so I set about finding a way to fix what I had and it turned out to be pretty easy. Here are the supplies that I used:
The magic ingredient here is called Sugru http://sugru.com/. It is a form-able putty that, when hardened, becomes silicone rubber that is fully as flexible as the original material of the boot.
First, I washed the boot in a Dawn dish washing liquid solution and allowed it to dry. Next, I cleaned the eaten-off edges with acetone to promote adhesion of the new rubber. Then I opened a packet of Sugru, kneaded it and began to form it onto the boot. I used the rounded end of a broom handle to form the internal geometry of the bulb portion:
Here it is completely filled in with the Sugru:
Kind of looks like a chocolate Snoopy head, eh? Don't worry. After it fully hardened, I sanded it and then smoothed it out with fine steel wool:
....but that is still pretty ugly, right? The next step is where the Plasti Dip comes in. I plugged both ends and added a piece of coat hanger wire for hanging it out to dry:
I chose red for a little added bling but it is available in black or any of several other colors. It took 2 dip/dry cycles to get a smooth, glossy finish. After it was fully dried, I used an Xacto knife to trim the ends:
Nice, huh? Here it is installed:
I'm pretty happy with the result and very happy that I didn't have to spring for the $150 harness :biggrin: I can foresee many future uses for Sugru and intend to always keep some on hand.
