contact cement

[reman]

Have any of you guys ever used contact cement (the type that is used for counter tops) on concrete? I am working on a custom window opening and need to glue some wood to the ends of some concrete blocks. It would be a strip about 10 inches wide and 60 inches long. Thanks for any input.

 

[retrobuilder]

I'd suggest a outdoor rated construction gap filling adhesive, secure the trim board with a few Tapcon screws recessed into wood, fill with wood filler and seal/paint.

 

[reman]

Thanks Retro

 

[rlitman]

I wouldn't expect contact cement to work well in that application. Contact cement requires a good contact area, which you will not get with concrete.
Construction adhesive would be my first choice. Polyurethane glue should work too, but the foaming may cause you issues.

 

[BFBOB]

I've used Weldwood Contact Cement - the flammable stuff; if it's safe it doesn't work - on very smooth concrete by accident, and it was amazingly strong. Took acetone and a big hammer to get a 2x4 loose. For a less than glass-smooth concrete surface, I'd go for construction adhesive. Normal Liquid Nails becomes brittle over time (many years), so for this I would go for Urethane Liquid Nails if you can find it. The last time I looked, last week, I couldn't find ANY construction adhesive that contaied urethane. I think the foaming rlitman referred to is Gorilla Glue, which is mostly intended for wood.

 

[RickP]

I'd suggest a outdoor rated construction gap filling adhesive, secure the trim board with a few Tapcon screws recessed into wood, fill with wood filler and seal/paint.

I've had good luck with this:

Polyurethane UV Resistant Permanently Flexible Bedding Sealant

 

[rlitman]

The last time I looked, last week, I couldn't find ANY construction adhesive that contaied urethane. I think the foaming rlitman referred to is Gorilla Glue, which is mostly intended for wood.

PL Premium construction adhesive is polyurethane based. That would be my first choice.

Yes, Gorilla glue is a type of polyurethane wood glue. They all foam to some degree or another. They will bond very strongly with concrete, and I have used them with great success connecting metal to ceramic tile, where nothing else would work (not even 2 part epoxy). Yes, this is marketed primarily as a wood glue, but it has lots of uses.