Gorilla Glue Works on Plastic is one of the finest glues available for plastic models.
Its strong adhesiveness ensures your models will stay beautiful for years to come. Additionally, its subtle pink color makes a beautiful accent for cosmetic accessories.
So, does gorilla glue work on plastic? Gorilla glue is a popular adhesive used to fix plastic, wood, metal, and other materials together.
It’s made by mixing two chemicals: polyvinyl acetate and cyanoacrylate.
Gorilla glue doesn’t stick to plastic very well, and it can cause some nasty side effects. For example, it’s toxic, and it can cause skin burns and other health problems.
If you’re worried about plastic pollution, don’t use gorilla glue to fix your plastic products. Instead, consider using alternative adhesives, such as polyurethane or epoxy glue.
Does Gorilla Glue Work on Plastic?
Contents
According to the manufacturer, Gorilla Glue can work with certain kinds of plastics. However, the chemical composition of polyvinyl acetate is not conducive to bonding with plastics in general.
This means that most types of common plastics cannot be bonded using this product alone without additional adhesives added for reinforcement and strength purposes.
That said, you can still use gorilla glue on things like small models and other small objects where it doesn’t pose a significant hazard for you.
Gorilla Glue, on the other hand, contains only the ingredients needed to make the PVA-cyanoacrylate mixture in regular strength form.
It is not formulated as a multi-purpose product designed for use on many different materials all at once.
In other words, it does not claim to be a “one-stop-shop” type of product in that regard.
Types of Glue for Plastic
There are several different types of glue that can be used with plastic depending on the nature of the project you are working on.
Epoxy and superglue are two of the most popular types of glue for plastic.
However, most household projects will require the use of superglue due to its ease of use and low cost of purchase.
Epoxy is a two-part of chemical compound that requires mixing of the two components together prior to use.
It has a slightly thicker consistency than superglue.
Superglue is a one-part adhesive that does not require mixing and is typically white in colour with a thinner consistency.
It comes in a tube or bottle with a nozzle for application onto surfaces and requires very little preparation prior to use.
Epoxy Gorilla
Gorilla Epoxy Available in a 1kg tub, the Gorilla epoxy is suitable for larger projects that require a larger quantity of glue than superglue can offer.
Gorilla Super Glue
Gorilla Super Glue dries quicker than other types and is ideal for smaller DIY jobs around the house such as repairing toys and small electronics.
Original Gorilla Glue
Gorilla Glue’s original recipe works well on many surfaces including wood, paper, metal and more.
However, it is not suitable for bonding with all types of plastics due to its lack of chemical properties needed to form a bond.
Plastics, on the other hand, do not fit under the list of suitable materials to be bonded by the original formula of this popular brand of adhesive.
What Type of Plastic Can Be Glued with Gorilla Glue?
There are several varieties of plastic, and each variety has different properties that make it suitable for certain applications but not others.
For example, some types are waterproof while others are less durable than others under harsh weather conditions.
Some types are easy to cut and shape while others are not.
Some types are more rigid than others, making them more suitable for holding heavy loads like tools, appliances, and other equipment.
Polyethylene and polypropylene are the two most common types of plastic used in today’s consumer and industrial products.
Because these two kinds of plastic have many of the same characteristics, they are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation as well as in product descriptions.
How to Use Gorilla Glue to Glue Plastic
When using Gorilla Glue to join two pieces made of plastic together, it is important to first clean the surfaces of both pieces to remove any dirt or other debris.
When the glue has dried, the joining of the two pieces together will be secure and strong.
Clamps may be required to keep two pieces of plastic glued together until the glue dries completely.
To begin, ensure that the surfaces to be glued are clean and dry.
The adhesive connection will be disrupted if dust or other debris is present on the parts being joined.
Clean all visible dirt from the surfaces of the pieces to be joined using warm water and a soft cloth before gluing them together.
Allow to dry before proceeding.
Second, use an applicator brush to apply a small amount of the glue to the join line between the two pieces of plastic.
Wait about 30 seconds for the glue to become tacky before applying the second piece to the surface of the first piece.
This will ensure that the glue bonds properly and forms a strong bond between the pieces being joined.
Because it is impermeable and can resist high temperatures, polyethylene is often used to make food containers and packaging materials.
It is also used to make large pipes, plastic sheeting and more.
It is most commonly used in the automotive industry because of its flexibility and durability under extreme temperatures.
When combined with an epoxy resin, it can be used to repair boat hulls as well as other types of vehicles and equipment as well.
Polyethylene can also be melted down and then reformed into different shapes with the use of heat and pressure.
This process is known as injection molding and is commonly used to create plastic products such as shampoo bottles, toys and CD cases.
Third, bind both surfaces together using a hot-melt adhesive or another type of glue that can withstand high heat.
Finally, let 24 hours pass to allow the glue to fully cure before using the oven again.
How Long Does Gorilla Glue Take to Dry on Plastic?
When using Gorilla Glue on plastics, it should take between 5-10 minutes for the glue to become tacky enough to hold the second piece of plastic in place.
Then, wait about an hour for the glue to dry completely.
This, however, is dependent on the type of plastic you are using and the thickness of the pieces being glued together.
In general, the greater the humidity level in the room or the faster the temperature rises or falls the slower the glue will dry.
What is the Best Gorilla Glue For plastic?
Gorilla Glue comes in many varieties; each type has unique qualities that make it ideal for different applications.
When choosing the right type of gorilla glue for your intended use, it is important to consider several factors including the material you will be bonding together as well as the temperature and environment in which you will be working.
Because each material has unique properties and uses, the type of gorilla glue best suited to your application will depend on the kind of plastic material you are working with.
The original Gorilla Glue, which is white in color and comes in a 2 ounce bottle, is recommended for paper projects as well as household repairs.
This adhesive is excellent for use in woodworking projects and is also ideal for repairing fiberglass boat hulls or surfboards.
It immediately dries when exposed to air, making it easy to apply and maintain an even coating on the surfaces.
Once dry, it forms a watertight bond that is resistant to moisture and other liquids.
However, this version of gorilla glue is not ideal for use with metal or plastic surfaces that will be exposed to extreme heat. Because it has a low melting point that will cause it to melt when exposed to heat in excess of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Gorilla Superglue gel is another strong adhesive that is ideal for use on wood projects, but is not suitable for bonding metal or plastic surfaces.
Because it attaches rapidly and has a quick drying time, it is often used in DIY household repairs such as repairing small cracks in walls and fixing furniture.
Also Read: What Does Gorilla Glue Not Stick To?
Conclusion
Plastic may be soft and flexible, but it is also quite fragile and can easily break if dropped or knocked over.
It is a powerful glue that bonds well to most materials including metals, ceramics and glass.
It is not, however, advised for outdoor use as it does not resist water well and is susceptible to UV light damage.
Before putting the glue on a surface always test it first by coating a scrap of plastic or cardboard with a small amount of glue.
