mbshop
Well-known member
Soooo, I have a lot of differant glues. But one I'm lacking knowledge of is glue that will glue plastic to plastic. Sort of like a glue that will melt part of the plastic so it becomes a strong connection. Thanks,
glue is a tool, right ?
- Thread starter mbshop
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lbhsbz
Well-known member
what type of plastic?
JohnDeere1
Banned
Model glue bonds plastic
You are looking for a solvent, and different plastics work best with different solvents. Methylene chloride works for acrylic, styrene, polycarbonate, and abs. MEK works for those plus PVC. Nothing really works on delrin, polyethylene, or polypropylene.
These are carcinogens so pay attention to ventilation.
These are carcinogens so pay attention to ventilation.
619DioFan
Well-known member
glue sure is a tool. so is duct tape ( at least in my shop )
Stooge
Well-known member
I've been using the Weld On brand acrylic cements at work for years now, and they work great. we get the #16 tubes, and use a needle applicator bottle. it's sort of a gel type, not too runny, dries clear/ without air bubbles if done properly and forms a very strong bond ( we are literally a tensile testing manufacturer and its what we use! 
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most plastics I have repaired, depending on what and where its going to be I've had good success with either the Loctite 602 or regular Gorilla glue. I had some Testor's model glue i bet if I could dig it up it's all dried out now. I think the kind of plastic typically used in models is a little softer than what I generally encounter now. Rubber cement works on pieces that have enough surface area to let it, I find it's not great at really small repairs but not because of the adhesive itself just how you apply it and connect it you need a relatively big area for them to mate.
I have used PL300 & the like on ABS plastic with pretty good success.
I have used PL300 & the like on ABS plastic with pretty good success.
jessesandy
Well-known member
Another option is plastic welders. (I just use a soldering iron with the heat turned down a little.) For big pieces, there are tools that heat a "staple" red hot then you embed it in the plastic.
Or, get some WeldOn from Amazon.
Or, get some WeldOn from Amazon.
It's going to depend, a lot, on what plastic(s) are involved, and what you want out of the glue.
For "general junk stuff", there's a good chance that you're looking at polyethylene or polypropylene, which are actually pretty difficult to glue. The Loctite "Plastics bonding system" is specifically designed for low-surface-energy materials like this. Their "Epoxy plastic bonder" works for other difficult plastics like nylon and Delrin, and ABS which is also pretty common in stuff around the house.
Between these two, there's not a lot of common household "junk" that you won't be able to glue. It is important to be able to identify what you're working with, though...
For "general junk stuff", there's a good chance that you're looking at polyethylene or polypropylene, which are actually pretty difficult to glue. The Loctite "Plastics bonding system" is specifically designed for low-surface-energy materials like this. Their "Epoxy plastic bonder" works for other difficult plastics like nylon and Delrin, and ABS which is also pretty common in stuff around the house.
Between these two, there's not a lot of common household "junk" that you won't be able to glue. It is important to be able to identify what you're working with, though...
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
The best glue for plastics actually melt/welds the plastic together. This difficult (impossible?) when dealing with different types of plastics.
If you are using something like an epoxy, the surfaces need to be rough up and then cleaned with acetone/alcohol.
All glues have a "setup" time and a "cure" time. I have used adhesives that have a 8-12 hour setup and a 7 day "full cure" time.
If you are try to glue something back together that broke in half or has a crack, the only way it will stay is if you put a backer of some kind behind the crack.
Last , if the plastic is soft/flexible almost no glue will hold. I had a plastic lawn chair that got a big crack. I cut up a 5 gallon bucket for backing strips, but even with JB Weld I did not think it would make a permanent repair. So the next day, I drilled holes along the crack and used wide flange ope rivets with backers. Been holding solid for over 5 years.
If you are using something like an epoxy, the surfaces need to be rough up and then cleaned with acetone/alcohol.
All glues have a "setup" time and a "cure" time. I have used adhesives that have a 8-12 hour setup and a 7 day "full cure" time.
If you are try to glue something back together that broke in half or has a crack, the only way it will stay is if you put a backer of some kind behind the crack.
Last , if the plastic is soft/flexible almost no glue will hold. I had a plastic lawn chair that got a big crack. I cut up a 5 gallon bucket for backing strips, but even with JB Weld I did not think it would make a permanent repair. So the next day, I drilled holes along the crack and used wide flange ope rivets with backers. Been holding solid for over 5 years.
Hard types of mystery plastic I use Liquid Nails. It has body and lightly dissolves the material before setting up. Fills cracks and is paintable.
PVC and the like for drain pipes (not supply) Indian Head is an excellent glue. Seals and sets fast, never dries in the bottle. Mine is fifteen years kicking about and still handy. Does other plastics too but will attack badly some types. The bad is its ugly afterward.
Maybe not the right way to do stuff but in a pinch it worked and I still do it.
PVC and the like for drain pipes (not supply) Indian Head is an excellent glue. Seals and sets fast, never dries in the bottle. Mine is fifteen years kicking about and still handy. Does other plastics too but will attack badly some types. The bad is its ugly afterward.
Maybe not the right way to do stuff but in a pinch it worked and I still do it.
HanShotFirst
Well-known member
Here's what you do.
1 - Do you know what kind of plastic it is?
2 - Do you have a plastics shop in your town?
3 - Go there, tell them what you have, and what you want to do, and they will have a bad-azz adhesive to do the job.
1 - Do you know what kind of plastic it is?
2 - Do you have a plastics shop in your town?
3 - Go there, tell them what you have, and what you want to do, and they will have a bad-azz adhesive to do the job.
I use that as a reference when its available, but the reason I didn't suggest it above is most tools, toys, components of things that are needing to be glued back together after breaking probably won't have recycle info printed on it. I'm sure some does but most probably won't.
If you're gluing things to other things in attempt to create something new, by all means look for it you'll probably find one.
If you're gluing things to other things in attempt to create something new, by all means look for it you'll probably find one.