Adhesives

When choosing a plastic adhesive, it is first necessary to determine what type of plastic is involved. For bonding hard plastics, instant adhesives (cyanoacrylate) or two-component epoxy adhesives are best suited. For bonding polystyrene, use a special polystyrene adhesive without solvents that can etch the surface. On the other hand, solvent adhesives are used for bonding PVC (e.g. sanitary pipes).

Some plastics, such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), are described as non-adhesive because bonding them with adequate strength is almost impossible under domestic conditions.

The most commonly used adhesive for wood is a dispersion adhesive - so-called white glue or PVAC glue. It is suitable for commonly stressed joints in the interior, for the manufacture of toys and musical instruments or for pegging furniture. Waterproof wood glue is suitable for kitchens, bathrooms and exteriors. For moving and stressed joints, use polyurethane adhesive, which remains flexible even after curing. Read detailed instructions on how to choose wood glue.

For Plexiglas and glass, fast-drying adhesives are suitable, which are joined by cold welding. These are usually two-component epoxy adhesives. The bonding of smaller parts made of glass and Plexiglas can also be handled with instant glue (cyanoacrylate). You can find reliable glass glue and plexiglass glue in the offer of manufacturer J-B Weld, which specializes in glues whose strength corresponds to welded joints.

You can use instant glue to glue smaller pieces of fabric. A hot melt gun is suitable for gluing textile decorations. If you want the joint to be resistant to washing and ironing, use a special textile adhesive. Spray adhesives are also handy to create an even layer.

A two-component epoxy adhesive is suitable for bonding glass, which creates strong and durable joints. You can also use instant glue to glue smaller pieces of glass together. If you care about the appearance of the joint, use clear UV glass glue, but you will need a UV lamp to cure it.

For bonding metals, use a two-component epoxy adhesive that bonds by cold welding. If you want to achieve a joint of the same colour, use adhesives with a metal filler - for example, use an adhesive containing aluminium powder as an aluminium adhesive. For smaller, unstressed joints in interiors, the instant adhesive is suitable.

Instead of metal glue, you can also use epoxy putty for repairs, which works like plasticine and can be drilled, cut and sanded once cured.