Gandalf is broken

We have a small statue of Gandalf as a garden ornament, stands about 18" tall made from some kind of plastic. It is hollow, varies between about 1/16 and 3/16 thick. SWMBO managed to knock it off the table and smash it to bits (thank the Lord it wasn't me). I've araldited it back together and filled the bits which couldn't be rescued with car body filler, but it is still riddled with cracks. Next step is to fill it with some kind of gloop which will set and re-inforce the structure. I reckon I need a pint or so, must not shrink on setting or it will be loose, neither expand or it will burst him asunder. Anyone got any suggestions.

How about using plaster of paris ? I have used it on ceramic statues and works well. Not sure how good on plastic.. Maybe use an etch primer first to help it adhere.

Epoxy resin with fine fibreglass matting chopped into very small pieces?

You have my sympathy if your wife can prevail where a balrog failed...

Aliphatic glue works well on similarly constructed meerkats (long story...) but it's too late now.

Expanding polyurethane will work as long as you keep it vented, as it's very liquid when first introduced.

Neil

Get one like this, she won't be able to knock it over.

**LINK**

G26 two part resin.

It's often a question of what's to hand. Waterproof PVA swilled inside then stuff gently with newspaper or old rag bits soaked in the same.

pgk

Chuck it away n get a noo one

Builders expanding Foam Filler such as this?

No Nonsense Expanding Foam Filler

Once it's back together and smoothed up, make a sand mould and cast a second one in aluminum! No more delicate resin.

Only half kidding, you could do a wood form box and make a plaster mould or a wax mould (one time use) and cast a new G in concrete or urethane casting resin. A "core" of capped plumbing pipe held in the mould could be used to reduce material amount needed.

Builders fizzy foam is definitely the answer!

The foam might well burst it apart. Don't try to fill it 100%. Do like clay statues and chocolate bunnies. Pour a limited amount of resin or some such in, swill it around and pour the rest out (into some other mould). Allow to dry and maybe repeat but only to build up a thinnish layer inside, not a completer fill.

I have a similar problem, my "Little girl" made of cast cement around about 1900 lost an arm, a leg, head dropped off and fingers on the good arm have frost bite. I have re-modeled with modeling clay, and am about to purchase molding rubber etc, then cast in bronze epoxy. "She" sounds about the same size as Gandalph. She was my grandmothers pond 'nymph', then lived with my aunt at her pond, then with my mother at her pond - and guess what, this winter's project is to make a pond !!

Baby Jesus in our nativity set has his left foot replaced with an epoxy putty prosthetic. Similar surgery restored one of the angels to flight-ready status.

Neil