Household Item Reviewer
06-28-2005, 05:40 AM
Sticky, tacky, gooey. What is the best way to fasten this thing?
Steps:
1. Consider the work surface. Is it porous or smooth? Wood, drywall, paper and cloth are porous; glass, metal, ceramic and plastic are not. Cyanoacrylate (superglue) and white glue adhere to smooth, nonporous surfaces; hot glue and carpenter's (wood) glue are better for porous surfaces. Contact cement is suitable for both porous and nonporous work surfaces.
2. Decide how quickly you want the adhesive to dry. Superglue bonds instantly, hot glue is quick, water-based contact cement sticks immediately and is dry within 30 minutes, white and carpenter's (wood) glues take a few hours, and silicone sealant requires about 24 hours to cure. Epoxies (heat-solidifying resins) vary.
3. Determine whether the adhesive needs to be water and/or heat resistant. Two-part epoxy, superglue, water-based contact cement and silicone sealant are resistant to both. Hot glue doesn't hold up well under extreme heat, but is waterproof. Carpenter's glue holds up under moisture and heat, whereas white glue doesn't fare well when exposed to either.
4. Think about cleanup. Silicone sealant, superglue and two-part epoxy are cleaned up with acetone - which is flammable and toxic. Water-based contact cement, new water-based silicone sealers, carpenter's glues and white glues clean up with water.
5. Read the labels. Make sure that the brand you choose is compatible with your purpose.
Tips:
Latex-based products are non-flammable and far less toxic than solvent-based ones.
Warnings:
Always read all warning labels, and glue in well-ventilated areas.
Steps:
1. Consider the work surface. Is it porous or smooth? Wood, drywall, paper and cloth are porous; glass, metal, ceramic and plastic are not. Cyanoacrylate (superglue) and white glue adhere to smooth, nonporous surfaces; hot glue and carpenter's (wood) glue are better for porous surfaces. Contact cement is suitable for both porous and nonporous work surfaces.
2. Decide how quickly you want the adhesive to dry. Superglue bonds instantly, hot glue is quick, water-based contact cement sticks immediately and is dry within 30 minutes, white and carpenter's (wood) glues take a few hours, and silicone sealant requires about 24 hours to cure. Epoxies (heat-solidifying resins) vary.
3. Determine whether the adhesive needs to be water and/or heat resistant. Two-part epoxy, superglue, water-based contact cement and silicone sealant are resistant to both. Hot glue doesn't hold up well under extreme heat, but is waterproof. Carpenter's glue holds up under moisture and heat, whereas white glue doesn't fare well when exposed to either.
4. Think about cleanup. Silicone sealant, superglue and two-part epoxy are cleaned up with acetone - which is flammable and toxic. Water-based contact cement, new water-based silicone sealers, carpenter's glues and white glues clean up with water.
5. Read the labels. Make sure that the brand you choose is compatible with your purpose.
Tips:
Latex-based products are non-flammable and far less toxic than solvent-based ones.
Warnings:
Always read all warning labels, and glue in well-ventilated areas.