Among the wide range of effective glues and adhesives around the market, Liquid Nails holds a great place in consumers’ favorite list. And why wouldn’t it? This adhesive though specially made for construction works, can be used for any purpose on many different surfaces.
Liquid Nails can strongly attach to multiple surfaces. Be it metal to wood, wood to wood, tiles to concrete, even any other surface to stone, this polyurethane-based glue is the one you can depend on.
But what if you need to use this glue on a plastic surface to another surface? Can liquid glue be used on any type of plastic? Or what are the other adhesives that are good for plastic?
If these are the questions bothering you about taking a decision, we have your back!
We’ll let you know it all here, so read further!
Liquid nails on plastic:
You can use liquid nails on impenetrable plastic. Porous plastic is not appropriate for applying liquid nail adhesive since the material will absorb the glue and thus it will not stick rightly. But you can use this adhesive on non-porous plastics to any surface such as wood or metal.
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Liquid nail is a common name in the glue industry. It’s one of the most loved heavy duty adhesives. Though the label of this glue claims it to be an industrial or construction adhesive, this product is more than what it says.
Because you can use liquid nails on many types of surfaces. It’s not only for concrete or tiles or stones. Liquid glue can be applied on wood or plastic too. Talking about plastic, this adhesive isn’t for all types of plastic.
Let’s know what type of plastic liquid nails work.
Plastics that liquid nails work on:
Liquid Nail despite saying it’s for heavy-duty construction work, can be used for many other purposes. It works great for strong surfaces such as concrete or stone or wood to keep them together but you can use liquid nails on some plastics too.
The liquid nail can be applied on plastic that’s impenetrable. That means non-porous plastics are best for this glue to try. On this type of plastic, the adhesive will not penetrate through the pores. Instead, it will stay on the upper layer.
Impermeable plastics can be attached to surfaces like plywood, wood, concrete, or tiles. Since the adhesive will not pass through, it will make a strong bond with plastic to these surfaces.
So liquid nails will work on polycarbonate Plastic, hard plastic, and similar plastic surfaces properly.
These plastics are typically found in kids’ toys, garden tools such as shovels or spade chairs or small tables, sleds, etc. You can use liquid nail glue on these things and it will work.
Plastics that liquid nails do not work on:
It’s widely said that liquid nails can be used on multiple surfaces. Such as on plastic. But the truth is liquid nails don’t work properly on porous plastic.
Because on these penetrable surfaces the adhesive cannot stay on the top surface and hold the plastic to another one.
Since the glue can’t stay and gets absorbed in porous plastic, the surfaces will not stick properly. High-density polyethylene plastic, polypropylene, and polystyrene are some porous plastic liquid nails that don’t work on effectively.
Can you use liquid nails on plastic to these surfaces?
Liquid glue works effectively on the non-porous plastic surface. It not only sticks on plastic to plastic. Liquid glue is also a great option if you want to join plastic surfaces to any other surface.
You can check from the list below whether you can use liquid nails on plastic on these surfaces mentioned:
Plastic to wood:
If the wood glue you use isn’t properly sticking plastic to a wood piece, you can try liquid nails adhesive. Liquid nails, even though claimed’ to be a construction adhesive, bond plastic to wood very firmly.
The glue dries less than in a day on plastic and can hold medium or heavy-weight woods easily since it’s a heavy-duty adhesive. But you must make sure the plastic isn’t penetrable.
Plastic to concrete:
Liquid nails glue can be used on light-weighted materials as well as heavy ones too. Since the glue is specially made for construction works, concrete is not tough for this product to bond with plastic. you can use it on non-porous plastic to concrete.
Plastic to brick:
Brick being a construction material can be used with liquid nails glue. You can apply the liquid nails adhesive on a plastic surface to a brick wall or brick-made stuff. Liquid nails adhesive is powerful to make these two bonds tight too for a long duration.
Plastic to metal:
If you’re looking for glue that can take the weight of heavy materials and also last long. You can undoubtedly get liquid nails adhesive. It’s built as a construction glue so attaching metal with plastic isn’t impossible.
This glue can take weight up to 1178 pounds yet last long. So you can use liquid nails on plastic to metal and expect the best outcome.
Why is liquid nails not recommended for plastic?
Though liquid glue is marketed as a construction adhesive, it can be used for regular heavy-duty works too. It’s effective on metal, ceramic, brick, tiles as well as wood, plywood, and plastic. But you’ll see it’s not recommended to use plastic.
When they say plastic, it means porous plastic. You can apply it on rigid plastic but using it on plastic surfaces that are penetrable isn’t encouraged. Here’s why liquid nails are not recommended for plastic:
It will not stick properly:
If you use liquid nails on porous plastic for bonding with another surface, the adhesive will not sit on it. Thus the surface won’t be able to make a bond and hold the opposite thing. Sometimes, the plastic-made thing gets gaps in between or doesn’t attach at all.
It will damage the surface:
Since the glue, and liquid nails won’t be able to work according to their formula, the plastic-made thing and the other will not bond together. They will have a loose connection, and gaps which might make both the surface bumpy and rough.
The loose bond between the plastic and any other material such as wood, and metal might even get stubborn glue stains on them.
What type of glue is best for plastic?
Liquid nails can’t be used on all types of plastic. It’s good for non-porous plastics but doesn’t work on the other ones. So to be on the safe side and not dump your work at midday, you should know what types of glue are perfect for plastic, porous or non-porous.
Here’s the list of best types of plastic glue:
Acrylic glue:
Resin-based or also known as acrylic-based adhesives are best for any type of plastic. They sit properly on plastic surfaces and make a strong bond with any other surface. Acrylic glues are durable too.
Cyanoacrylate gel glue:
Cyanoacrylate gel-based glues are effective on every type of plastic be it polypropylene or polyethylene. Having rubber-filled formula, these types of glues are mostly clear and liquid in appearance but can hold plastic surfaces strongly.
Not only do Cyanoacrylate glues last longer, but they also protect the surface from water, moisture, or harsh chemical spills.
Epoxy glue:
Epoxy glue is a popular adhesive. It’s used for multiple surfaces indoors and outdoors. Epoxy glue can be used on porous and non-porous plastic without any doubt. Its glue is fast drying, stays on the plastic surface, and creates a powerful bond that’s durable.
Epoxy glue usually contains hardener and resin in some portions so don’t damage any plastic while resetting the position or taking off.
Contact cement glue:
These types of glues are also known as neoprene rubber glue.
This versatile adhesive is great if you want to stick the plastic surface to rubber, Formica, wood, leather tiles, or even concrete. It can be used for regular work or heavy-duty ones, as the bond contact cement adhesive makes it durable.
What’s interesting about these kinds of adhesives is they are very flexible even after application and drying.
Final Thoughts
Liquid nail is a strong glue specially made for construction use. But it can be used on other materials too such as on plastic to other surfaces. But that plastic has to be non-porous and rigid, otherwise, the adhesive will not make a good bond. You can use liquid nails on non-porous plastic only.