Gluing Polystyrene

King Elessar the Uniter · **Posted:** Thu Aug 06, 2009 3:51 pm

Hey guys!

I've just tried gluing two pieces of polystyrene together with PVA and it seems to be taking quite a long time to bond the pieces together. Is this normal or are there better glues to use when joining pieces of polystyrene?

Thanks.

Longbottom Leaf · **Posted:** Thu Aug 06, 2009 3:59 pm

You could use something like, wood glue if PVA does not work. A type of Tacky glue may also provide a stronger bond.

Hallpers · **Posted:** Thu Aug 06, 2009 4:54 pm

PVA and wood glue is the same thing.

Don't know about what glue you should use, everyone that I've seen use PVA. :roll:

Longbottom Leaf · **Posted:** Thu Aug 06, 2009 4:59 pm

Hallpers wrote:

PVA and wood glue is the same thing.

Don't know about what glue you should use, everyone that I've seen use PVA. :roll:

Ah yes, I was refering to "carpenter's glue" or "Yellow glue", which is a variation on regular PVA, and slides less then normal PVA when setting.

Hallpers · **Posted:** Thu Aug 06, 2009 5:09 pm

Longbottom Leaf wrote:

Hallpers wrote:

PVA and wood glue is the same thing.

Don't know about what glue you should use, everyone that I've seen use PVA. :roll:

Ah yes, I was refering to "carpenter's glue" or "Yellow glue", which is a variation on regular PVA, and slides less then normal PVA when setting.

Ah, I see. My bad.

King Elessar the Uniter · **Posted:** Thu Aug 06, 2009 5:11 pm

The PVA seems to have worked now, it just took quite a while.
Thanks anyway guys!

Longbottom Leaf · **Posted:** Thu Aug 06, 2009 5:30 pm

Hallpers wrote:

Longbottom Leaf wrote:

Hallpers wrote:

PVA and wood glue is the same thing.

Don't know about what glue you should use, everyone that I've seen use PVA. :roll:

Ah yes, I was refering to "carpenter's glue" or "Yellow glue", which is a variation on regular PVA, and slides less then normal PVA when setting.

Ah, I see. My bad.

No problem, Olle. I should have been a little more clear in my post.

kidterminal · **Posted:** Thu Aug 06, 2009 5:59 pm

Hi Michael. Yes PVA takes a while to dry. I usually let larger pieces dry over night. I've used PVA (wood glue here in the USA) for many years and it creates a permeate bond. I coat my foam pieces with it to protect them from dents and other damage. If you want a faster glue, then you'll need a hot glue gun. You must buy the low-temperature glue sticks designed for polystyrene, the regular sticks with melt it. This will dry in 10-15 minutes.

Rob

Dagorlad · **Posted:** Fri Aug 07, 2009 3:32 am

I usually use PVA for gluing small pieces of styrofoam, but it takes an awful long time to dry, especially in cold weather. The reason for this is simple - it needs air to dry and the foam doesn't let any air get in to help it set.

You can use Liquid Nails too (a very sticky general purpose glue) but will have a similar problem, although it does dry abit quicker.

There are specialist foam cements that you can buy, or use a low temperature hot glue gun ("happiness is warm glue gun") which does the trick well I believe (never used one myself).

gaarew · **Posted:** Fri Aug 07, 2009 7:24 am

Michael, the other thing that you can do is to put cocktail sticks into both pieces of polystyrene to hold them together whilst the glue is drying.

geezer of rhun · **Posted:** Sat Aug 08, 2009 1:43 am

Yes, do what gaarew said. Pin them with sticks or pins (or even dry wall screws in hidden places to help hold them in place.) I use the screws for larger pieces. As been said, they will take long to dry because the air dosen't get to the glue. I use carpenter's glue which is water proof, too. That way I get a strong durable bond that will not be affected by water soluable paints. Just be patient, it is worth the wait.
Good luck,
GofR

DurinsBane · **Posted:** Sat Aug 08, 2009 8:09 am

Double sided celotape

King Elessar the Uniter · **Posted:** Sat Aug 08, 2009 1:19 pm

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Really appreciated!

I thought I was doing something wrong with the PVA seeing as how long it took to dry but now that you've explained why this was I'm more confident in using it.

The cocktail stick idea is a very good one, it'll make the whole structure more "solid".

Thanks again to you all.

Michael.

stickyworm · **Posted:** Sat Aug 08, 2009 1:25 pm

Without a doubt, a product called "no nails" is the best thing for this, that or polyeurethane glue (gorilla glue). Both products will harden without exposure to air, which is the problem with pva and carpenter glue you're using.

Less is more, with both products, and they look expensive until you find how little you need and how long they last.

King Elessar the Uniter · **Posted:** Sun Aug 09, 2009 8:46 pm

Ok, thanks for your advice stickyworm.

For the moment I'm going to stick with PVA, it's working great now and I've got lots to use!

Thanks anyway - for future projects I might turn to "no nails" instead.

kidterminal · **Posted:** Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:34 pm

I've never had problems using PVA, you shouldn't either. You'll find that once its dryb you get a very strong bond.

King Elessar the Uniter · **Posted:** Sat Aug 22, 2009 5:17 pm

Yep, cheers Rob.

Gluing Polystyrene

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