Local manufacturer and supplier Pratley offers a range of flexible and cost-effective do-it-yourself adhesive products that are ideal for “quick, on-the-spot automotive repairs” where engineering workshops are often unavailable, such as in rural and informal settlements.

To repair engine sump cracks, the company offers Pratley Steel Quickset, a fast-setting adhesive metal filler and mender that sets extremely hard and matches the colour of most ferrous metals.

“Pratley Steel Quickset is a quick repair. Simply grind a vee in the area of the crack, the same as if you were going to weld it, and then fill it out with the adhesive. To stop the crack from spreading further, it is ideal to drill the ends of the crack,” explains Pratley.

Ensure that the Pratley Steel Quickset is applied 20 mm after the crack on either side.

To build up small pieces of missing or damaged castings, the company has Pratley Steel Putty, a strong and highly workable hand-mouldable putty that not only sets like steel but also matches its colour. It also has good machining properties.

Pratley national sales manager Mark Bell explains that Pratley Wondafix and Pratley Wondafix Car can repair cracked dashboards or damaged hoses in an engine compartment. He says both products are tough yet flexible epoxy-urethane hybrid adhesives and the only type of their kind in the world.

Meanwhile, Pratley Wondafix Car can even be used to repair torn seats and other upholstery that is dark or black in colour. Owing to the product having rubbery properties, another application is the repair of damaged plastic bumpers, adds Bell.

The company also offers Pratley 1-2-3, a third-generation acrylic adhesive.

“This easy three-step bonding system is excellent for aluminium components and will join almost all well-matched surfaces, including mild oily surfaces. It is ideal for bonding rear-view mirrors onto windscreens,” says Pratley.

When repairing a battery with a hole or crack, the company says Pratley SP001 Industrial Pack, is your best repair option.

Pratley SP001 is a medium-curing, general-purpose adhesive with special performance properties such as exceptional resistance to water, diesel and oil and a good resistance to chemicals and acids. It bonds well to most rigid materials.

When doing repairs, grind a vee in the area of the crack and fill it out with the two-part epoxy.

All Pratley’s products display their bold policy statement of outperforming all others on the world market.

Established in 1948 by George ‘Monty’ Pratley, the various companies in the Pratley stable have filed over 350 patents globally and are ISO 9001 certified.