Polypropylene, ABS, HIPS and PETG plastics can be bonded to acrylic using a solvent or thermoplastic adhesive such as Acri-Bond 120. Delrin (a type of Nylon) and Acetal can be bonded with acrylic using Loctite Epoxy or Bondit. However, the joins will generally be weaker than with other types of plastic.
Mirror Acrylic requires special care. You cannot use super glues or Weldon to glue it down as this dissolves and damages the mirror coating. Use 3M adhesive, Loctite Go2, or Gorilla Glue Gel for mirror acrylic.
The best glue for acrylic is a special acrylics adhesive, such as Acrifix acrylic adhesive. Glueing acrylic is more like welding than normal glueing because the glue softens the surfaces and then fuses them.
Acrylics are not actually glued: they are chemically 'welded' together using a special cement. Acrylic cement does not stick the surfaces to one another – instead, it bonds them permanently. Tensol 12 is a single component cement, ideal for bonding cast acrylic pieces where strength isn't so important.
Acrylic paint, known for its adaptability, can work on plastic surfaces with the right preparation and application techniques. It adheres better than oil or watercolour paints, and once dried, it creates a durable and vibrant layer of colour.
Superglue is suitable for small and selective bonding. It withstands large loads and, as the name suggests, hardens quickly. Because the glue hardens white, it is suitable for acrylic only if the glued areas are not visible later. This adhesive is also suitable for bonding different materials together.
Epoxy Adhesives for Plastic - Strongest Bonds
They are probably the strongest glue for plastic and can also be used on a range of other materials.
Sand your edges with wet sanding paper. We recommend starting with a course sandpaper and repeating the process with finer grits. The choice of abrasive grit depends on the depth of the marks or scratches you are trying to remove: The deeper these marks, the coarser the grit. Finish with a very fine (1000 grit) paper.
Both the materials are also shatterproof meaning that instead of shattering into lots of small and sharp pieces, acrylic and polycarbonate break into a few larger and duller shards that are easy to dispose of. This makes them safer than glass.
I clamp the two surfaces I want to bond, and then I take a needle and apply drops of Acetone along the seam. Capillary action quickly wicks it in to the joint. Your local HW store might also have “Weld-On #3” or “#4” which are also Acrylic solvents.
All types of Gorilla Glue are 100% dry in 24 hours.
Weld 4 is the product most recommended.
Loctite Super Glue Ultra Gel Control is great for applications requiring high flexibility and works on a wide range of common materials including: leather, cork, paper, cardboard, wood, chipboard, fabric, metal, ceramic, rubber and hard plastics such as acrylic, polycarbonate, polystyrene and PVC.
By allowing the glue to melt the plastic just the slightest bit, you can effectively weld the acrylic to the surface you're adhering it to, whether that's foam, other plastics, Worbla, and more. Hot glue is quick to set while allowing you a few seconds of flexibility to adjust your pieces before it hardens.
E6000 PREMIUM forms permanent bonds to the most difficult items such as most plastics used in 3D printing, polycarbonate, PVC, ABS, acrylics, polystyrene, fiberglass, etc., while also providing super strength bonds to other materials such as wood, metal, fabric, ceramic, glass, cement, clay, and more!
Fixing with glue
It's a temporary method to hold you until you can make it to your technician. First, buff the surface of the nail gently because too much pressure can cause more damage. Next, apply two coats of nail glue to temporarily hold the nail back until you can make it to your manicurist.
UV curable adhesives may be of acrylic nature, but like anaerobics we generally categorized by the cure mechanism (UV), not the adhesive composition. Cyanoacrylate adhesives are acrylic but we classify them as cyanoacrylate or instant adhesives. These are also called super glues or crazy glues.
Our favourite is Loctite Super Glue All Plastics. This specialty super glue is designed for plastics, including the hard-to-bond-to polypropylene and polyethylene. It comes with an activator which you apply first and need to allow to dry for 60 seconds.
SCIGRIP Weld-On 3 and 4 solvent cement are also perfect for bonding plexiglass and other plastics, such as styrene, butyrate, PETG, and polycarbonate to themselves. SCRIGRIP Weld-On 16 cement is a heavy-bodied solvent formulated for use with industrial-grade acrylics.
Ah you either need to prime your plastic surface with a primer or sand down the plastic (either with sand paper or a nail file) to make the paint stick. Then use acrylics.
To glue acrylic with solvent glue, typically a squeeze-bottle applicator with a needle tip is used. Put the acrylic on the edge where you want it, and place the needle of the glue-filled applicator where the two pieces meet. Lightly squeeze the applicator while pulling it toward you.