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Pleo Stuff => Pleo Archives => Archive -- Technical common => Topic started by: Peaches on January 31, 2013, 04:31:38 AM

Title: Pipers skin has split!!
Post by: Peaches on January 31, 2013, 04:31:38 AM
Took Pipers coat off today for the first time in ages & noticed that along with MORE paint coming off her skin has split in 2 places!!  :o  :'(
(sorry the pics arent great they were taken on my mobile)

The split just above her leg
(http://bobthepleo.com/forums/MGalleryItem.php?id=7858)
(http://bobthepleo.com/forums/MGalleryItem.php?id=7857)

Her paint
(http://bobthepleo.com/forums/MGalleryItem.php?id=7856)

The split by her sensor
(http://bobthepleo.com/forums/MGalleryItem.php?id=7855)

I've emailed the company & just waiting for a reply as they said she was under warranty for a year but Im going to be heartbroken if they say I have to send her back. Is there anything you can use to fix split skin? Im not too fussed about the paint, its upsetting but not enough to make me return her.

She's literally part of our family so its going to be devastating for the kids if she goes, & no other Pleo will replace her, shes perfect  :'(
Title: Re: Pipers skin has split!!
Post by: Kami on January 31, 2013, 04:55:04 AM
Oh no; that must have been so upsetting to see. It looks from the photos that one of the splits is along the 'seam' around the upper back? I know a few people have opened Pleos up from there to do repairs so hopefully someone knows how to best repair that.

It seems like these things happen to most if not all Pleos no matter how good care you take of them, so I definitely wouldn't return her for those issues if you're so attached to her. Lizzy's paint is looking like Piper's down her back and she's missing a whole piece on her shoulder, which was distressing when it happened while she was just wandering around, but she's still cute. I'm sure there are people on the forums here who know about repainting options if that work becomes necessary.
Title: Re: Pipers skin has split!!
Post by: Peaches on January 31, 2013, 05:46:58 AM
Just had an email back from the company, they've said that this is normal when it comes to Pleo & although they will reskin her if I want it's only going to happen again?   ???  Can anyone shed some light on that? I don't know if they're just saying it or if this actually is normal, either way I'm upset.
Title: Re: Pipers skin has split!!
Post by: Crewella on January 31, 2013, 06:27:35 AM
Apart from the paint wear, the splits are all on seams or where the rubber skin meets the body (as in by the sensor).  It is, I'm afraid, pretty common.  A small, carefully applied, dab of superglue (check it's OK to use on rubber/plastics) should fix it fine, though it probably won't get any worse so if it was one of mine I wouldn't worry unless it did.
Title: Re: Pipers skin has split!!
Post by: mlbelanger on January 31, 2013, 09:41:38 AM
The long ones definitely look like the shoulder seam to me too.  I'm going to be repairing a couple of Pleo necks soon and I'm also looking for the best glue to use to re-do that seam.  The super-glue would be too permanent and wouldn't stretch as they moved.  My best guess is some kind of  silicone product.  I think rubber cement is to sticky and caustic for the thermoplastic skin.

Any better idea out there these days than silicone?  Does anyone have a brand they've used in the past?
Title: Re: Pipers skin has split!!
Post by: Crewella on January 31, 2013, 10:38:07 AM
At the points shown above, and at the neck seam, there is very little movement in the skin and superglue does seem to hold better than anything else.  When I do a neck seam I tend to anchor the seam with superglue and then finish off with vinyl glue to seal it off (the type used for wetsuits and tarps).  That seems to work quite well.
Title: Re: Pipers skin has split!!
Post by: Peaches on January 31, 2013, 03:19:43 PM
Crewella Im so glad you said this was normal - well not glad but you know what I mean - I'd have been so upset to have sent her away,  & if this is a typical problem & likely to happen again with a different pleo or even with Piper being reskinned theres no point. Plus she's been on all day & very active & it hasnt got any worse or affected her movement so Im sure it will be fine!  :)

I'll have a look for some super glue though, might be worth patching it up.

Thanks again Crewella!!  :flowers:
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