Adhering sheet Metal to MDF
- Thread starter gtivr4
- Start date
Lunchbox
Member
I think Liquid Nails should be pretty bulletproof. Is this project function or fashion?
PAToyota
Well-known member
Liquid nails is going to be pretty hard to get smooth. I'd use contact cement.
Why? Use a V-notch trowel like for flooring.....should smooth fine as long as you don't dilly-dally...the stuff skins up pretty quickly...
-T
You have to use an MDF welder. 
Contact cement. Clean the metal, make sure it is smooth and flat, apply the contact cement per the instructions (watch out for fumes!), and attach the sheetmetal to the MDF. Done.
You can get magnetic paint and chalkboard paint, don't know and don't feel motivated enough to do a Google search to see if there is dry-erase paint or not.
Contact cement. Clean the metal, make sure it is smooth and flat, apply the contact cement per the instructions (watch out for fumes!), and attach the sheetmetal to the MDF. Done.
You can get magnetic paint and chalkboard paint, don't know and don't feel motivated enough to do a Google search to see if there is dry-erase paint or not.
PAToyota
Well-known member
By the time you do all that, might as well use contact cement in the first place - much easier to work with.
djjsr
Well-known member
3M has a spray adhesive that will do it.
By the time you do all that, might as well use contact cement in the first place - much easier to work with.
True...but if he already had it...
blue dog
Banned
Oil based contact cement is the best method. Use a heavy roller after applied.
Omphaloskeptic
Well-known member
18 gauge steel is 2 lbs. / sq. ft.; 6' X 4' X 2# = 48#. The glue had better have some great sheer strength specs.!
18 gauge steel is 2 lbs. / sq. ft.; 6' X 4' X 2# = 48#. The glue had better have some great sheer strength specs.!
It requires about 1/3500 of the shear strength of rubber cement
6x4=3500 sq in
48/3456=0.14Psi
0.14Psi=0.0097MPa
Shear strength of rubber cement: 0.35MPa (min)
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Ditto on the contact cement. Just make sure the side you are gluing is clean. I'd also go over it with some 320 or 400 sandpaper first just to give it a little tooth
rsanter
Well-known member
spray adheasive, apply to both sides
bob
bob
fflintstone
Well-known member
Contact cement, do it just like formica.
on a surface that size contact cement may set up before you could get it all brushed on, depending on the tempature. you may think of using small angle clips over the edges and screwed into the mdf especially in the corners will help maintain pressure where it would be likely to release first
djjsr
Well-known member
Contact cement needs to dry before it works. Put on 2 surfaces, let dry, stick together. Better get it in the right spot cause you ain't getting a second chance.
scott37300
Well-known member
Do not use liquid nails, will never get it even close to flat. That 18 gauge will look like the wave pool.
Contact cement is the right thing to use, spray adhesive might work but contact cement is better in this situation.
Like mentioned read the directions, it needs to be applied to both surfaces and then let tack up before trying to bond the two. Also like mentioned once it makes contact you are "stuck" with where they are. A little trick we used in cabinetry class was to buy a bunch of 3/8 or 1/2" dowels 4 feet long and set them on the MDF after the contact cement tacks up. Then lay your metal on top of the dowels. Then starting in the middle after you have things lined up, start pulling the dowels out working towards the ends. Use a laminate roller you can get at most box stores to roll all the air out as you go. Then sit back and enjoy your work!
Contact cement is the right thing to use, spray adhesive might work but contact cement is better in this situation.
Like mentioned read the directions, it needs to be applied to both surfaces and then let tack up before trying to bond the two. Also like mentioned once it makes contact you are "stuck" with where they are. A little trick we used in cabinetry class was to buy a bunch of 3/8 or 1/2" dowels 4 feet long and set them on the MDF after the contact cement tacks up. Then lay your metal on top of the dowels. Then starting in the middle after you have things lined up, start pulling the dowels out working towards the ends. Use a laminate roller you can get at most box stores to roll all the air out as you go. Then sit back and enjoy your work!
Yep, there is. Unfortunately it isn't particularly cheap. I was hoping to paint a wall in an office with this some day.
http://www.ideapaint.com/home/shop/