Pete 75C Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 I have a 4ft vertical run of MDF, which defines the edge of a cutting and runs top-to-bottom between baseboard levels. This is an urban setting, so will eventually be clad in varieties of embossed plastic brickwork etc. I want to bond some thin styrene sheet to this MDF, purely to make it easier to then bond the brick sections as scenery progresses. To complicate matters, everything is on a very slight curve and as the MDF is vertical, rather than horizontal, using weights while glue dries is not an option. Clamps won't work either. Is there a proprietary glue with an instant "grab" that will bond styrene to MDF? The only other solution I can think of is double-sided tape. I have a roll of very thin tape and the adhesive works really well. I've used it in the past to bond styrene to MDF/ply horizontally (road surfaces etc) and it works so well, it proved almost impossible to remove when I had to go back and make some alterations. I know this same trick will work vertically, but just curious if anyone knows of any glues that would do the same thing? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branwell Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 I've used Roket Card Glue in the past to bond plasticard to wood and it's worked well - I would have thought that it should work well with MDF as well. As an alternative Copydex might be a good bet. Maybe you could use elastic bands to help with the bonding? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete the Elaner Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 I usually use impact adhesive. It grabs instantly but it can be a little aggressive for bonding pieces of styrene to each other. It should be ok for styrene to MDF though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 (edited) There are new superglues which DIY chains/ builders merchants/ kitchen and window fitters use. Its two part and the activator is either in the form of a large felt pen or aerosol Apply adhesive one side and either wipe or spray the other, gives a few seconds to adjust dries very strong, Kitchen fitters use it to glue MDF mouldings, window fitters to fit plastic extrusions to most materials Wicks gave me some with my new kitchen, Wicks rapid mitre bond This looks the branded stuff https://www.wickes.co.uk/Evo-Stik-Mitre-Adhesive---50g/p/137668 Or cheaper from screwfix https://www.screwfix.com/p/mitrebond-aerosol-kit-2-pcs/28848?tc=CA4&ds_kid=92700020370485931&ds_rl=1249481&ds_rl=1245250&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIj76w__WV2QIVorftCh1dYwPiEAQYAyABEgKjkfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CN_o04z2ldkCFdcg0wodA5UFYA Edited February 8, 2018 by hayfield Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted February 8, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 8, 2018 Spray on photo mount glue can be obtained in a variety of strengths and won't (shouldn't, test first) damage the plastic. Also useful for fixing emery cloth/sandpaper to boards for a nice flat sanding sheet. Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 Maybe you could use elastic bands to help with the bonding? Sadly, the vertical MDF is already built into the baseboard frame, so no way of getting behind it with the bands. I usually use impact adhesive. It grabs instantly but it can be a little aggressive for bonding pieces of styrene to each other. It should be ok for styrene to MDF though. I think perhaps I've been using the wrong kind of impact adhesive (cheap brand) but the one I have does tend to react with styrene/plastic less than about 1mm thick. I really should buy a decent brand! Or cheaper from screwfix https://www.screwfix.com/p/mitrebond-aerosol-kit-2-pcs/28848?tc=CA4&ds_kid=92700020370485931&ds_rl=1249481&ds_rl=1245250&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIj76w__WV2QIVorftCh1dYwPiEAQYAyABEgKjkfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CN_o04z2ldkCFdcg0wodA5UFYA Thanks John, that looks like really useful stuff - I've not seen that before. Might be worth investing in some from the nearest Screwfix. Looks like it could have multiple other uses around the home too. Spray on photo mount glue can be obtained in a variety of strengths and won't (shouldn't, test first) damage the plastic. Mike, that was my first thought and I've tried a test piece. You're right - it doesn't react with the plastic and bonds well on a flat surface. It just doesn't seem to grab well enough on a curved surface and that's the problem. Without finding some way of anchoring it, it just wants to spring apart before it's cured. If I'd had any sense, I'd have bonded the flat styrene to the thin flat MDF sheet BEFORE gently curving it and building it into the baseboard frame... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted February 8, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 8, 2018 Sadly, the vertical MDF is already built into the baseboard frame, so no way of getting behind it with the bands. I think perhaps I've been using the wrong kind of impact adhesive (cheap brand) but the one I have does tend to react with styrene/plastic less than about 1mm thick. I really should buy a decent brand! Thanks John, that looks like really useful stuff - I've not seen that before. Might be worth investing in some from the nearest Screwfix. Looks like it could have multiple other uses around the home too. Mike, that was my first thought and I've tried a test piece. You're right - it doesn't react with the plastic and bonds well on a flat surface. It just doesn't seem to grab well enough on a curved surface and that's the problem. Without finding some way of anchoring it, it just wants to spring apart before it's cured. If I'd had any sense, I'd have bonded the flat styrene to the thin flat MDF sheet BEFORE gently curving it and building it into the baseboard frame... Two things Pete, just spray a couple of inches at the start and line up the plasticardand hold it on until it grips, then let it fully cure. You can then either go round in couple of inch strips and do it a bit at a time, or spray it all and pull the whole sheet under tension and fix it in one shot. Secondly, it's not a good idea to bond it in the flat and then bend it as the plasticard will stretch, and in a worst case scenario, split, and also, any brickwork effect on the sheet will become elongated. Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan downes Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 There are new superglues which DIY chains/ builders merchants/ kitchen and window fitters use. Its two part and the activator is either in the form of a large felt pen or aerosol Apply adhesive one side and either wipe or spray the other, gives a few seconds to adjust dries very strong, Kitchen fitters use it to glue MDF mouldings, window fitters to fit plastic extrusions to most materials Wicks gave me some with my new kitchen, Wicks rapid mitre bond This looks the branded stuff https://www.wickes.co.uk/Evo-Stik-Mitre-Adhesive---50g/p/137668 Or cheaper from screwfix https://www.screwfix.com/p/mitrebond-aerosol-kit-2-pcs/28848?tc=CA4&ds_kid=92700020370485931&ds_rl=1249481&ds_rl=1245250&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIj76w__WV2QIVorftCh1dYwPiEAQYAyABEgKjkfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CN_o04z2ldkCFdcg0wodA5UFYA Don't pay Wicks prices, as with most superglue stockists, total rip off. Try either - bondfix@gmail.co.uk Or - Silversil - google Eurocel plastics. Both about £2 for a 50g bottle and about the same for activator. Cheers. Allan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 Secondly, it's not a good idea to bond it in the flat and then bend it as the plasticard will stretch, and in a worst case scenario, split, and also, any brickwork effect on the sheet will become elongated. Good point - I hadn't thought of that. The plastic sheet that I need to bond to the MDF is in some way sacrificial, as it won't be the finished surface. It's just to give me a decent "key" to add the embossed plasticard to. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold chris p bacon Posted February 8, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 8, 2018 Man up and use a Paslode* nail gun. *(Mine died recently but I can't remember the name of the replacement) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Storey Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 I think this perhaps the better one from Screwfix https://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-mitre-adhesive-200ml/41795#product_additional_details_container Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 Thanks John, that looks like really useful stuff - I've not seen that before. Might be worth investing in some from the nearest Screwfix. Looks like it could have multiple other uses around the home too. As far as anything to do with the baseboards, even as a first fixing of the frame prior to nails/screws. Certainly sticking anything to the baseboards its the mustard, I might even try track to underlay, and at £5 a throw not too expensive I think this perhaps the better one from Screwfix https://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-mitre-adhesive-200ml/41795#product_additional_details_container What's the difference please Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted February 8, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 8, 2018 Man up and use a Paslode* nail gun. *(Mine died recently but I can't remember the name of the replacement) This one looks much more fun! Mike. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 This one looks much more fun! Mike. Don't ever invite me paintballing. Turn up with THAT and I'm off... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HLT 0109 Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 Pete, If you are looking for an impact adhesive that doesn't attack plastic, EvoStik do a solvent-free version. I've not tried it on a 4ft length but it works with smaller items. Harold. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted February 8, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 8, 2018 Don't ever invite me paintballing. Turn up with THAT and I'm off... Funny you should mention that! Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dagworth Posted February 8, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 8, 2018 Pete, If you are looking for an impact adhesive that doesn't attack plastic, EvoStik do a solvent-free version. I've not tried it on a 4ft length but it works with smaller items. Harold. What thickness of plasticard are you looking to fix to the MDF? I've used standard EvoStik (known as EvilStink in this house!) to fix acres of 40 and 60thou to plywood without problems. I've even used it to glue embossed brick plasticard direct to plywood, just don't touch the plasticard once the adhesive has grabbed until it has gone off completely. Andi Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 What thickness of plasticard are you looking to fix to the MDF? Probably 1mm/40thou, so sounds like the proper stuff would be ok. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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