Adhesive/glue for EPDM rubber?

[myredracer]

Have some original "rubber" floor mats from a '58 car I'm restoring. They're all in excellent condition except for a small tear in one piece and a small-ish area in the driver's footwell. I'd like to patch these with some other leftover rubber from a parts car of the same vintage. Replacing a floor mat in the car is very expensive and I would rather keep the original for originality's sake anyway.

I assume this is EPDM rubber. I tried some Crazy glue on a test scrap and it didn't work AT ALL... Then after a little internet research I learned that EPDM is a problem to glue regardless.

Is there a recommended adhesive for this stuff? I just ordered a small tube of 3M 4799 to try out. I also came across a product called Permabond 105 which is cyanoacrylate based. Rather expensive stuff. Not sure if this is any better than ordinary Crazy glue? I already have some 3M weatherstrip adhesive for installing new door seals and haven't opened the tube yet. Would this possibly work?

Anyone have a recommendation?

 

[bob15]

Permabond has 2 other products besides 105: https://www.permabond.com/2015/05/12/bonding-epdm-industrial-adhesive/

Not sure if just plain ole fashion rubber cement would work

 

[cvairwerks]

Scuff the back area up a little and bond a backer with 3M yellow weatherstrip adhesive. Scuff and clean the backer too, wipe with either lacquer thinner or 90% alcohol and let dry completely before bonding. Use some light clamping pressure and allow to dry for 12 hours minimum. We used to bond teflon to structure with it on the F-16.

 

[Viper98912]

We mold EPDM products at work...NOTHING sticks to it. We sometimes get adhesives to stick to it by using an adhesive promoter, but I don't think it'll bond EPDM to EPDM (as a repair).

I don't know if you can try to melt it together with a soldering iron, but I honestly don't know of anything else that might work.

 

[rlitman]

EPDM is glued all the time on roofing. But I’m not aware of where you can get small quantities of whatever is used.

 

[myredracer]

We mold EPDM products at work...NOTHING sticks to it.

That's what I was worried about. Of course they do that on purpose so you have to buy new mats... At least it's not silicone or teflon!

But 3M has their weatherstrip adhesive for bonding weatherstrips to doors for seals that are made from EPDM. So their adhesive must work well enough for that use.

I have the original shaped/molded covers that go over the wheel wells that are also EPDM. It looked to me like the factory used some kind of spray adhesive that looked sort of like a rubber cement type product. Maybe for that application, it doesn't need to be high strength and the 3M or Permabond adhesives will work okay?

One solution for the floor mat that needs a repair is to just use an aftermarket floor mat over it and forget about it.

 

[rustyjames]

EPDM sheet is quite commonly used on commercial roofs. The seams are glued just like repairing an inner tube with a patch and the sheet is either mechanically fastened or fully adhered with a contact cement designed for this purpose. There is all types of special contact tape made for specific purposes as well.

 

[DFB]

I've used this with excellent results in places that crazy glue stuff won't touch

https://www.loctiteproducts.com/en/...tite_vinyl_fabricplasticflexibleadhesive.html

 

[Viper98912]

That's what I was worried about. Of course they do that on purpose so you have to buy new mats... At least it's not silicone or teflon!

But 3M has their weatherstrip adhesive for bonding weatherstrips to doors for seals that are made from EPDM. So their adhesive must work well enough for that use.

I have the original shaped/molded covers that go over the wheel wells that are also EPDM. It looked to me like the factory used some kind of spray adhesive that looked sort of like a rubber cement type product. Maybe for that application, it doesn't need to be high strength and the 3M or Permabond adhesives will work okay?

One solution for the floor mat that needs a repair is to just use an aftermarket floor mat over it and forget about it.

Yes, they're probably using an adhesive promoter to help bond the weatherstripping to the EPDM. But it's not perfect...

In terms of the other things that are sticking, yes, I agree with those, but those are also being sandwiched with other products (I think, others, please correct me if I'm wrong). With what you're trying to do by having it be in tension or in shear just within itself, I think you're going to have a tough time. But hopefully I'm wrong!

 

[kabinenroller]

I have patched cracked floor mats using pieces of roofing rubber as backing. I clean both surfaces with lacquer thinner, let it dry then use tire patching glue on both surfaces. After the glue is completely dry I join the pieces and roll the area with a small roller. This process has worked for me on a number of floor mats for vintage car restorations I have done.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

There are a couple of 3M products I would try:
VHB
Also consider their Rubber Toughened Super glue (not sure of the exact name).

 

[HenryAZ]

Barge will glue anything to just about anything else. It is a contact cement used widely by saddle makers for gluing leather to leather. I have used it for gluing neoprene bumpers to the bottom of stainless magazines, where all other adhesives failed. Even a neoprene specific glue failed. First time I seated the mag, the bumper fell off. Also have glued neoprene to wood successfully with it.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

You need Firestone Bonding Adhesive BA 2004-T. IDK where you're going to get anything smaller than a 5 gallon bucket.

Tommy

 

[exmaxima1]

The rubber surrounds we make for subwoofers is a blend with 50% epdm. We use a primer that changes the surface energy so that most any adhesive will stick. Mechanical abrasion with sandpaper will also help.

 

[rlitman]

The rubber surrounds we make for subwoofers is a blend with 50% epdm. We use a primer that changes the surface energy so that most any adhesive will stick. Mechanical abrasion with sandpaper will also help.

Exactly. Sounds a lot like tire patches.

I know that a lot of the issues with patches sticking has to do with waxes blooming out of the surface of the rubber, and residue from mold release. Sanding will remove a lot of that, and a good solvent will remove the rest.

 

[DPG]

EPDM is glued all the time on roofing. But I’m not aware of where you can get small quantities of whatever is used.

Go hit up your local commercial roofing contractor for a small amount.

 

[rlitman]

Go hit up your local commercial roofing contractor for a small amount.

That’s an option. Another source that might have smaller amounts is someone who deals in ponds. Koi pond liners are usually EPDM. It’s basically the same as the roofing, but doesn’t have any chemicals that might harm the fish. Usually you try to install a pond without seams, but there are seam tapes that are often used, usually after a primer.