Abstract: Thermoplastic body parts can be repaired by (a) heating a shaped staple to a temperature that is above the melt point of the thermoplastic component and (b) embedding the shaped staple across the crack seam and into the thermoplastic component material on either side of the crack seam. When cooled, the shaped staple will span the crack seam and be firmly embedded in the component material on either side thereof. The use of a plurality of such shaped staples along the length of the crack seam will permit the crack to be secured in a structurally significant manner and, with proper selection of the staple thickness and material, permit the crack to be filled, sanded and finished in a manner that does not pose a seam of continued structural weakness for the repaired component.