Gluing clear acrylic
May 10, 2022 8:03 AM Subscribe
The clear acrylic ball that is the finial of a table lamp needs to be glued back on. I have several adhesives at my disposal, but need to choose wisely, since my handiwork will be both 1) 100% visible through the clear plastic, and 2) illuminated by the lamp itself. What should I choose?
I cannot tell what was used at the factory, and whatever it was did not do the job, since the finial is no longer attached.
I have cyanoacrylate, clear hot glue gun sticks, epoxy, and other adhesives. I'd certainly also buy anything that I need.
I could start with the glue gun, because I generally can peel it off afterwards if it doesn't do the trick, but it tends to be thick (versus, say, cyanoacrylate) and I'm a little concerned it might melt the acrylic ball.
What do you think will work?
I cannot tell what was used at the factory, and whatever it was did not do the job, since the finial is no longer attached.
I have cyanoacrylate, clear hot glue gun sticks, epoxy, and other adhesives. I'd certainly also buy anything that I need.
I could start with the glue gun, because I generally can peel it off afterwards if it doesn't do the trick, but it tends to be thick (versus, say, cyanoacrylate) and I'm a little concerned it might melt the acrylic ball.
What do you think will work?
Assuming the break is clean and the two parts fit together nicely I would use CA glue. I think anything you use will have a visible seam but thin CA would be less obvious than epoxy or hot glue.
If you don't have a good break then I would use epoxy.
I would worry about hot glue not lasting long term, or melting under the heat of a lamp.
posted by bondcliff at 8:12 AM on May 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
If you don't have a good break then I would use epoxy.
I would worry about hot glue not lasting long term, or melting under the heat of a lamp.
posted by bondcliff at 8:12 AM on May 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: To clarify, the ball is just that--a sphere that sits into a concave receiver, and the ball itself is intact. Only the glue that held it in the receiver is at issue. If not for us always bumping into the table that the lamp sits on, the ball would just sit there. For all intents and purposes, it looks like this.
We're also using LED bulbs, so I don't worry too much about re-melting, but I'm not certain of whether the glue is a high-temp or low-temp glue, but will try to check. Thanks again!
posted by Admiral Haddock at 8:20 AM on May 10, 2022
We're also using LED bulbs, so I don't worry too much about re-melting, but I'm not certain of whether the glue is a high-temp or low-temp glue, but will try to check. Thanks again!
posted by Admiral Haddock at 8:20 AM on May 10, 2022
I personally would use UV resin but I already own UV resin so it may not be worth it to you. It is handy to have a bit of UV resin around though, in part because it is basically crystal clear.
posted by Lyn Never at 8:29 AM on May 10, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by Lyn Never at 8:29 AM on May 10, 2022 [3 favorites]
Ok, given your update I would just use a small dab of hot glue or epoxy on the very bottom of the sphere or around the rim of the receiver.
posted by bondcliff at 8:58 AM on May 10, 2022
posted by bondcliff at 8:58 AM on May 10, 2022
Have you plugged both materials into This to That?
It's a single-purpose website that tells you what kind of adhesive to use to attach any two materials together.
posted by yellowcandy at 9:11 AM on May 10, 2022 [14 favorites]
It's a single-purpose website that tells you what kind of adhesive to use to attach any two materials together.
posted by yellowcandy at 9:11 AM on May 10, 2022 [14 favorites]
Came here to recommend thistothat.com! The singularly most useful site on the internet!
posted by Silvery Fish at 10:13 AM on May 10, 2022
posted by Silvery Fish at 10:13 AM on May 10, 2022
Acrylic tends to need special glues or solvents to make a really strong bond - I've used some horrendously dangerous solvents in the past for acrylic projects. But of the things you have, I'd go for the epoxy, assuming it's a clear one and not the sort that's a bit yellow. Roughen the surfaces a little first, and maybe clean them with alcohol before gluing.
posted by pipeski at 2:02 PM on May 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by pipeski at 2:02 PM on May 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
J-B WELD will do this...available at any local hardware store, auto parts shop, or Amazon. It usually is under $10. It is a two part epoxy, so you'll have to mix it, and it definitely has an odor until it cures.
posted by lobstah at 3:07 PM on May 10, 2022
posted by lobstah at 3:07 PM on May 10, 2022
I would first try a drop of dry acetone,it may reactivate the existing glue ,if that fails a drop of lock tite extreme.
posted by hortense at 6:32 PM on May 10, 2022
posted by hortense at 6:32 PM on May 10, 2022
Clear Gorilla Glue did me great for something like this in the past.
posted by itesser at 11:13 PM on May 10, 2022
posted by itesser at 11:13 PM on May 10, 2022
Whatever you do do NOT use any form of CA/super glue. It will cloud your acrylic and ruin it.
Acetone will also melt your acrylic, cloud every place it touches, and ruin it.
posted by phunniemee at 5:34 AM on May 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
Acetone will also melt your acrylic, cloud every place it touches, and ruin it.
posted by phunniemee at 5:34 AM on May 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
I'd probably use E6000, especially if there are any gaps. Sticks to about anything and dries clear.
posted by achrise at 9:52 AM on May 11, 2022
posted by achrise at 9:52 AM on May 11, 2022
Capillary plexiglas glue is primarily acetone leaves a exceptionaly clear bond. BTW plexglas is acyrlic.
posted by hortense at 11:31 AM on May 11, 2022
posted by hortense at 11:31 AM on May 11, 2022
Acrylic glue is most certainly not acetone based. Acetone is in fact how you remove acrylic adhesive. Acetone dissolves acrylic. Ask any person who has ever been to a nail salon if you don't believe me on this. Acetone will ruin this lamp piece.
posted by phunniemee at 11:44 AM on May 11, 2022
posted by phunniemee at 11:44 AM on May 11, 2022
This thread is closed to new comments.
without a picture, these are my thoughts, as a glue enthusast.
Personally i don't mind the hot glue idea- just be conservative and use low temp hot glue, and it will be zero stress to peel it off if it's too visible.
I would also reccommend Krazy Glue Gel over classic superglue, because it has a bit more viscosity and you won't run the risk of it dripping accross the ball and leaving a permanant residue. I am not 10000% positive it dries clear, but i think it should.
Another good glue that definitely dries clear that might work is Magnatac, but it's dry time is a bit longer so you'd have to hold it in place with painters tape or a clamp
posted by wowenthusiast at 8:08 AM on May 10, 2022 [2 favorites]