Whether you are working with plexiglass to create a new project or simply repairing a break in your acrylic, you will need the best glue for plexiglass to achieve long-lasting results. Nevertheless, gluing acrylic can sometimes be frustrating, especially if you do not know the right adhesive to use. For that reason, I have listed the best glue for plexiglass and provided tips on how to glue plexiglass or acrylic glass. Read on!
What Is Plexiglass?
image credit: fabglassandmirror.com
Plexiglass or acrylic glass is a strong, transparent plastic made of polymethyl methacrylate and is, in most cases, used in place of glass. Given its rigid strength and superior visibility, it is a suitable material for various applications.
While strength is a major benefit of using plexiglass, it also allows you to bond it in different shapes and sizes. Typically, you can use large-sized acrylic sheets to create small or medium-sized projects. Additionally, an acrylic sheet is lightweight and easy to hand, so you can easily cut it to your project's specifications.
With this knowledge, let's move forward and look at the best glue for plexiglass.
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1. J-B WELD All-Purpose RTV Silicone Sealant and Adhesive
- Clear Silicone Sealant & Adhesive: Is A General Purpose Sealant...
- Count On Us: For More Than 40 Years, Our Products Have Earned A...
- Easy To Use: Silicone Forms A Tough, Waterproof, Weather...
- Versatile & Dependable: Ideal For Automotive, Ceramic, Cloth,...
If you want to purchase the best acrylic silicone to glue plexiglass, J-B Weld All-Purpose RTV Silicone Sealant and Adhesive is a perfect option. This high-strength silicone sealant provides a durable, formed-in-place silicone rubber joint sealant for various materials, including plexiglass, glass, and vinyl.
image credit: blains.com
What I like most about this product is the fact that it offers a bonding that is waterproof, weather-resistant, UV-resistant, and not pressures sensitive. Again this adhesive stays flexible once cured, making it suitable for high-stress areas and joints.
When it comes to application, this acrylic glue is applied in thick beads. This means you should use generous amounts to prevent the formation of air pockets. Remember to clean both substrates to get rid of any dirt or oil on the surfaces.
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2. LOCTITE Professional Liquid Super Glue
- Professional-strength ingredients work fast and hold strong
- Fast-setting formula resists moisture, most chemicals and cold...
- Pinpoint nozzle allows precise application without dripping or...
- Screw-on cap cleans and seals nozzle for clog-free use
- Loctite Super Glue Professional's super strength formula is ideal...
Loctite Professional liquid glue is the best superglue for plexiglass. It offers professional strength that works amazingly to bond different materials permanently and durably. What fascinates me most is that this super glue is resistant to moisture and most chemicals.
image credit: Loctite.com
This plexiglass glue comes with a pinpointed nozzle that provides precision and simplifies the application process. I also love that this best superglue for plexiglass is a highly durable adhesive that withstands high loads.
Remember, before applying the glue to our plexiglass; we first cleaned the area to be glued. We used this glue to bond plexiglass areas that will not be visible since it is hard white, which may not look attractive, especially on transparent acrylic.
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3. ARALDITE Rapid Strong Epoxy Adhesive
- PROFESSIONAL GRADE STRENGTH: Strong, long-lasting water-resistant...
- FILL IN AND REPAIR: Cracks or scratches in snowboard skis or...
- VERSATILE CLEAR GLUE: Use in automotive applications, repair...
- SETS IN 5 MINUTES: Easy quick set 5 minute epoxy glue dries and...
- MULTI-USE APPLICATION: Effectively bonds to metal, wood,...
Araldite Rapid Strong Epoxy Adhesive is another product I can recommend if you are looking for the best glue for plexiglass. Like other epoxy resin adhesives, it works on the basis of two components, a hardener, and a resin, which initiates a chemical reaction when mixed.
image credit: interest.com
What even fascinates me the most is that this epoxy adhesive is not only suitable for repairing plexiglass, but it can also glue plexiglass to other materials. Again, this professional-grade product is formulated to resist water, chemicals, oil, impact, and different temperatures.
This two-component adhesive based on the epoxy resin is a suitable glue for bonding two plexiglass panes solidly together. Plus, I love that it sets clear and can be used on other materials rather than plexiglass.
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4. SCIGRIP 16 Acrylic Cement
- Medium bodied
- fast-setting
- high strength acrylic cement
Another perfect option to glue acrylic glass together is the SCIGRIP 16 Acrylic Cement. I love the fact that this high-strength acrylic cement offers exceptional adhesive solutions for bonding a range of substrates, including acrylics, metals, and thermoplastics.
image credit: pinterest.com
SCIGRIP Cement is a strong, easy-to-use glue that you can use to glue acrylic to themselves and other materials as well. The acrylic cement dries pretty fast; therefore, you need to set your acrylic sheets correctly to avoid visibly melted plastic around the glued area.
Interestingly, this acrylic cement is designed for industrial-grade use and can be purchased online or locally in a hardware or home improvement store. Remember, during the application, you need to be in a well-ventilated area because of the cement's strong chemical smell.
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5. Weld-on Acrylic Adhesive With Applicator Bottle
- SCIGRIP 4 is formulated as a blush-resistant cement for bonding...
- SCIGRIP 4 is formulated as a blush-resistant cement for bonding...
- SCIGRIP 4 is formulated as a blush-resistant cement for bonding...
- 2 Years Shelf Life, 1-2 Min Working Time, 3 Min Fix Time. UN...
- Used in applications like display and presentation case...
The Weld-On #4 Acrylic Adhesive is the best acrylic adhesive you can get on the market. I love the fact that this acrylic-based adhesive is specially formulated for bonding acrylic to itself. It is also formulated to resist blushing and has a water-thin consistency that will dry faster into a high-strength bond.
image credit: Weld-on .com
While compared to other acrylic adhesives, this Weld-on adhesive for plexiglass is perfect for bonding large areas. The other thing I love about this plexiglass adhesive is that you can use it to glue plexiglass onto damaged ones in order to repair them.
The acrylic adhesive seam will hold the plexiglass panes tightly when applied correctly. Again, like most of the other adhesive bonds, this one also requires you to clean the plexiglass thoroughly before application.
Remember, when bonding plexiglass using this adhesive, you must hold the pieces together using clamps or tape, which is not a necessary step with super glue application.
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How to Glue Plexiglass Together
There is a difference between gluing plexiglass and other materials such as wood or metal. The procedure of gluing is pretty simple if you are careful and patient. Here is how to glue plexiglass together.
1. Find a Proper Place to Work and Follow the Right Precautions
Before you start gluing, you will need to ensure that you are in a well-ventilated space since some glue may produce fumes.
image credit: resin-expert.com
When you find the appropriate space to work in, you will then need to wear protective gear like gloves, safety goggles, and a facemask. Also, you must be careful and ensure you follow the instructions on the acrylic cement or glue to avoid mistakes.
2. Cut and Clean the Plexiglass
You will need to prepare the pieces you will be working on by cutting them into suitable sizes and shapes. Acrylic glasses that are 6.3 mm or quarter inches thick can be cut using a circular saw or table saw. The pieces that are thinner than that can be scored using a utility knife.
image credit: homedepot.com
Remember, acrylic glue will not seep into cracks and does not cling to materials like regular glue, so if the cut edges are rough, sand and polish them for a smooth and clean edge to which you will apply the glue.
When that is done, you will need to clean the plexiglass with water and mild soap, mainly focusing on the edges you will be gluing. You may also use isopropyl alcohol to clean the surfaces.
3. Set the Acrylic Glass in Place for Gluing
image credit: yolasite.com
When the pieces are completely dry, you will need to fit them into the desired configuration to ensure they fit perfectly. Using clamps or masking tape, you can also secure the pieces together for easy gluing.
4 Apply the Glue
After you have put the pieces together, gently use the glue using a 25 gauge syringe. You will place the syringe above the clamped pieces and squeeze the glue out along the joint lines. Ensure that you fill in any seams or gaps.
image credit: acmeplastics.com
Remember, you should not apply the acrylic cement on separate pieces and then press them together because this method will deliver weak joints and have higher chances of dripping.
5. Let the Acrylic Glue Dry
When you are content, allow the glue to set for between 24 to 48 hours. After that, you can remove the tape or clamps that were holding the pieces together. You can then use a router to get rid of overlapping acrylic pieces. However, you need to be careful not to melt the acrylic.
Factors to Consider When Purchasing the Best Glue for Plexiglass
image credit: hunkercdn.com
1. Performance
Performance is another key aspect that you should remember when shopping for the best glue for acrylic sheets. You want to ensure that the product you pick will perform as desired and deliver the results you are looking for.
Mainly the performance of the adhesives is determined by their specifications, so you need to go through them carefully. Going through customer reviews of the product you pick will also help you know if the glue performs as advertised.
2. Material
The materials used to formulate a glue are also important in determining if it will work as desired. You will find that some materials are stronger than others which in turn affects the adhesive strength.
Even though most adhesives these days will provide a strong bond, they all have different bonding strengths, making their strength an important feature to consider. So, ensure that you purchase glue with high adhesive strength if you are looking for a more permanent solution.
Remember to get a product that is made with materials that will not cause harm to your health. Note that some of the adhesives are made with toxic materials like mercury or lead. Getting products with labels like "lead-free" or "non-toxic" is best.
On the same point, you might also want to consider if the product you purchase has any environmental impact. For instance, if the glue is made with recycled materials, it is more likely to be environmentally friendly.
3. Temperature
Environmental conditions can affect the performance and storage life of adhesives. Some adhesives will significantly drop performance if exposed to higher temperatures for long periods. Therefore, you must consider purchasing glue with maximum continuous operating temperatures. Ideally, you should go for a plexiglass glue that is water, cold, and weather resistant.
4. User-friendliness
When purchasing the best glue for acrylic, it is necessary to pick a product that is easy to use. You need to understand how the glue you settle for works fully. If too many steps are involved or the steps are too complicated, then you can find another one that is easier to use and understand.
5. Price
You should always check the price of a product first before buying. You will find that different stores will sell the same products at different prices. To avoid purchasing a product at a higher price, comparing prices from different stores is important.
Frequently Asked Questions on Gluing Plexiglass
1. Is hot glue suitable for plastic?
Hot and melted glue works perfectly on different materials, including plastics. It provides a durable and long-lasting bond. The best bit is that it can be used with different types of plastic to other materials like tiles and wood. That said, while using hot or melted glue, you should be very careful to avoid drilling and damaging surfaces.
2. Can superglue be used on plexiglass?
Yes, you can use superglue to bond plexiglass together. However, it's necessary to note that it is only suitable if it's glued on areas that are not visible. This is because when it dries, it forms a white seal that does not look attractive on a transparent plexiglass pane.
Image credit: acmeplastics.com
