glue that will un-glue without damage
May 6, 2006 8:31 AM Subscribe
Is there a glue that will un-glue without damage to the glued items?
I need to glue an in-ear monitor (like a hearing aid) to the delicate connector which is connected to the wire that transmit's the sound. When it's not in my ear, (and sometimes even when it is) the ear mould can disconnect from the wire and fall off (or vica versa). I've alread lost two (@ $100 each!). I'd like to be able to fasten them so that they won't disconnect with regular use but will come apart with a good tug - leaving both pieces un-affected. Is there such a glue?
I need to glue an in-ear monitor (like a hearing aid) to the delicate connector which is connected to the wire that transmit's the sound. When it's not in my ear, (and sometimes even when it is) the ear mould can disconnect from the wire and fall off (or vica versa). I've alread lost two (@ $100 each!). I'd like to be able to fasten them so that they won't disconnect with regular use but will come apart with a good tug - leaving both pieces un-affected. Is there such a glue?
Best answer: What are the surfaces made of? Plastic? Hot glue can peel off plastic pretty easily. It'd test it first on something you don't mind ruining.
What is that gummy adhesive used to glue cards to magazines? That might work too.
posted by hydrophonic at 8:58 AM on May 6, 2006
What is that gummy adhesive used to glue cards to magazines? That might work too.
posted by hydrophonic at 8:58 AM on May 6, 2006
Something like poster tack? It isn't really a glue, but more of a malleable adhesive, similar in feel to Silly Putty or modeling clay.
Rubber cement also can be peeled off certain surfaces.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 9:34 AM on May 6, 2006
Rubber cement also can be peeled off certain surfaces.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 9:34 AM on May 6, 2006
Response by poster: hydrophonnic - it's a (male) hard plastic connector into a custom made softer plastic (female) ear mould.
posted by ra at 11:35 AM on May 6, 2006
posted by ra at 11:35 AM on May 6, 2006
Looks like 3M makes Post It glue, which might be worth a try.
posted by theora55 at 7:13 PM on May 6, 2006
posted by theora55 at 7:13 PM on May 6, 2006
Best answer: I would recommend hot glue, and you may want to consider rubber cement.
Generally, hide glue is excellent in woodworking contexts for this sort of thing, but it's not well suited in this case.
posted by RikiTikiTavi at 8:54 PM on May 6, 2006
Generally, hide glue is excellent in woodworking contexts for this sort of thing, but it's not well suited in this case.
posted by RikiTikiTavi at 8:54 PM on May 6, 2006
Best answer: I'd suggest either silicone adhesive, or "shoe goo". Both cure into a rubbery, stretchy substance, which is better at staying attached to soft materials like the flexible earpiece. Both can be removed completely from smooth plastic surfaces without damaging them by pulling and/or scratching with a fingernail, though it can take a little time and patience. Only use a little if you want a good tug to be sufficient. Since the parts are plastic, you'd want to test the glue first to make sure the solvents don't attack either plastic. Silicone is probably the safer one, since the shoe goo solvent is petroleum based judging by the smell.
Hot glue might not stick to the soft plastic, but would be worth trying. However, soft plastic generally corresponds to low melting temperature, so you might want to use low-melt glue (ie the miniature glue guns, or a glue gun with a hi-lo temperature switch). Again, only use a small amount, and practise on other things first. If you don't have a glue gun around, it's probably not worth buying one just for this, but not having a glue gun around is an unacceptable state of affairs in and of itself, so go get one :-)
Also, if your tests find the glue grip to be too strong, letting glue cure (or cool) for a bit before putting it on the surface can reduce its grip, but you'll need to play around to get a feel for it.
"contact adhesive" is probably also a good bet. Same techniques apply though to ensure the parts do not get unbreakably attached. Contact adhesive forms a kind of rubbery stuff again, but unlike the other two, bonds to itself, so you would put some on the hard plastic, and some on the soft plastic, let them dry, then push them together and they would be bonded together.
In summary, your gluing techique can do the trick, rather than a specific glue.
posted by -harlequin- at 1:53 AM on May 7, 2006
Hot glue might not stick to the soft plastic, but would be worth trying. However, soft plastic generally corresponds to low melting temperature, so you might want to use low-melt glue (ie the miniature glue guns, or a glue gun with a hi-lo temperature switch). Again, only use a small amount, and practise on other things first. If you don't have a glue gun around, it's probably not worth buying one just for this, but not having a glue gun around is an unacceptable state of affairs in and of itself, so go get one :-)
Also, if your tests find the glue grip to be too strong, letting glue cure (or cool) for a bit before putting it on the surface can reduce its grip, but you'll need to play around to get a feel for it.
"contact adhesive" is probably also a good bet. Same techniques apply though to ensure the parts do not get unbreakably attached. Contact adhesive forms a kind of rubbery stuff again, but unlike the other two, bonds to itself, so you would put some on the hard plastic, and some on the soft plastic, let them dry, then push them together and they would be bonded together.
In summary, your gluing techique can do the trick, rather than a specific glue.
posted by -harlequin- at 1:53 AM on May 7, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
Glue Advice
I knew I bookmarked that site for a reason.
posted by JMB1138 at 8:50 AM on May 6, 2006