What sort of glue for plastic parts?

[Benzadmiral]

In my post about Centercaps.net, I wrote about the saga of my efforts to obtain the central Buick tri-shield emblem that has come loose from my car's front wheel. I have it now, and am ready to install it -- but I don't have the right glue.

I bought some Krazy Glue at Target, since (like most of the glue products there) it said that it was good for "most plastics." Apparently "most" excludes the parts GM used on the wheel; when I tried gluing the emblem to its back plate, it wouldn't hold, despite my having cleaned both pieces carefully and using only a tiny bit of glue on each, according to the instructions.

All the other products carefully exclude polystyrene and polyethylene plastics (so does the Krazy Glue, in the fine print). What glue should I use? Or does anybody know what kind of plastic these parts are?

 

[John_K]

I've been using this on everything lately, automotive or otherwise. Have yet to see something it doesn't hold:

http://www.loctiteproducts.com/products/subcategory.asp?catid=45&subid=113

John

 

[AdRock]

The last time I did something liek this I actually used a good dab of high temp RTV on the back of the cap. Put the cap back on a press down firmly. Then put some tape on it to hold it down overnight while the RTV dries.

I've used that process several times and it's worked great. Another benefit is that if I need to pull them off again I won't have to destroy them to get them off.

 

[oilyriser]

double sided foam tape might work

 

[GMBoy]

Crazy glue, if it did holdm would not last thru rains and washings and double sided tape wouldn't stand the heat from the wheels. That loctite stuff posted by John K looks promising.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Loctite has a plastic epoxy: http://www.loctiteproducts.com/products/detail.asp?catid=11&subid=49&plid=517

Or would something like the PowerGrab that John posted be better? Can I find these at a local Ace hardware?

ETA: Loctite also has an "All Plastics" glue, available at Ace. One review says the writer glued together a car side mirror housing after a deer hit it, and it worked great.

 

[TurboLuver]

I recently used This Loctite epoxy on the adjustment knob of my RCBS 5-0-5 scale, worked perfectly.

 

[Kruse]

Gorilla glue. (Google it)

 

[tom slick]

look at the back side of the cap, it will have a small PP or PA-33GF (or similar) cast into it. That identifies the material and we can go from there. very few plastics are glueable, most have to be solvent welded. Superglue may attack the material or cloud it from the offgassing vapors.

the correct double sided tape is your safest option.

 

[SHOZ]

The double sided car emblem tape will hold and it is cheap and removable.

 

[Bamaro]

Originally Posted By: Kruse
Gorilla glue. (Google it)

Gorilla glue is good but be careful because glues like this will foam & expand causing the glue to migrate past where it was applied.

 

[brianl703]

If it's ABS or PVC you can use ABS/PVC pipe cement from the plumbing aisle.

 

[mechtech2]

Any silicone RTV [no need for high temp].
Weatherstriping glue, or 'Seal All'.
Seal All is a cheap and under rated glue. Stands up to gasoline, too! Been around for decades.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: tom slick
look at the back side of the cap, it will have a small PP or PA-33GF (or similar) cast into it. That identifies the material and we can go from there. very few plastics are glueable, most have to be solvent welded. Superglue may attack the material or cloud it from the offgassing vapors.

the correct double sided tape is your safest option.

The central emblem part has nothing on the back, or anywhere, except a little "clock" numbered from 1 to 12, and an arrow pointing to (I think) 10.

The back of the larger cap piece, the big 10-inch disc with the five fake lug nuts, into which the emblem fits -- that has a logo reading "ABS + PC." That puzzles me, since the Krazy Glue package said it would adhere to ABS plastics. Unless the emblem is of a different plastic?

 

[cousincletus]

If you use double sided tape, use the rubber tape, not the foam. It lasts longer. I think 3M makes it and I bought mine at NAPA.

 

[tom slick]

The glue is probably not sticking to the chrome plating. I'd use double sided tape.

 

[Junior]

Loctite 380, 406 or 455.

 

[Junior]

Originally Posted By: tom slick
look at the back side of the cap, it will have a small PP or PA-33GF (or similar) cast into it. That identifies the material and we can go from there. very few plastics are glueable, most have to be solvent welded. Superglue may attack the material or cloud it from the offgassing vapors.

the correct double sided tape is your safest option.


ABS PC (polycarbonate) is typical plastic used for wheel covers.(and bondable) You should be able to find a product to bond them together. Try etching the surfaces and cleaning with alcohol.

 

[AcuraTech]

You can try this that and the other type of adhesive but one fact remains the same: THE SURFACE NEEDS TO BE SUPER CLEAN

Any traces of old dirt, adhesive, grease, etc need to be removed. Plastic tends to resist being glued to begin with, it needs all the help it can get. PM me if you can't get it to stick, I have a few additional chemical tricks that may be of help.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Update,

I stopped by my local Ace hardware today. The sales guy showed me a product called Amazing Goop Automotive. On the card it says "Glues Whatever. Bonds Forever!" It's one of those vinegar smelling cements. Anyway, I cleaned up the two parts of the central hub assembly, the emblem and its silver-painted insert, and glued them together. Instructions say it'll cure in about 24 hours.

If it seems solid, the next step will be to glue the central emblem assembly into the center cap on the car. The product says it can be used between 50 F. and 90 F. The dry time decreases if the temp is between 70 F. and 90 F. (which pretty much describes this lousy climate for 7 months of the year).