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Stuck with Glue? Become unstuck with our guide.

Wednesday, 1 September 2021

YOUR NUMBER 1 GLUE GUIDE TO ANY PROJECT


Let’s face it, glues are essential for any workshop no matter what you are making. It brings projects together and adds strength and reinforcement when sewing is neither practical nor suitable. However, with the wide variety of adhesives available, it   can be rather sticky to discover the right one for you. Adhesives may be interchangeable with different materials but when you are buying from Abbey, we want you to be confident with your purchasing decision. That’s why we have put together this  quick  and easy guide to assist you so you become unstuck and choose the right glue for right task. Whatever you are bonding together, whether it's leather, materials, wood or metal, our list compiled below offers a range of adhesives which are  suitable for  all types of materials!

 

Solibond 949 Contact Adhesive 

Our most popular adhesive is our Solibond 949 Contact Adhesive. Renowned for its versatility, Solibond is a polychlorophene  polymer base adhesive which is has high strength and is fast drying decreasing the risk of surfaces moving out of position.  It can be used in a wide range of bonding applications including leather to leather, plastic laminates to hardboard or wood and  multiple rubber applications. Tip: Ensure surfaces are clean, dry and free from dust and grease. Apply a uniform coat  across the surface and leave to touch dry for approximately 5-10 minutes. Then position coated surfaces and press firmly to ensure  a tight bond.

 

Howstick 441

Howstick 441 is very similar to the 949 in that it dries quickly and has a strong bonding application. It is suitable to use on multiple substrates  including laminates, wood, metal, leather, rubber fabrics, cork and plasterboard. HOWEVER it is not  suitable for plasticised PVC surfaces. Tip: If two non-porous surfaces such as plastic are to be bonded, ensure the adhesive is touch tacky before bonding.  Bring the two surfaces together, ensuring accurate positioning and take care to exclude  air from the joint. Apply overall hand or roller pressure to give an immediate firm bond, which will increase in strength with age

 

125/A Rubber Adhesive

This rubber solution in a solvent base proves exceedingly popular among saddlers because of its high tack and low strength. The adhesive  can temporarily hold surfaces in position when further work such as stitching needs be undergone. The 125/A  can bond multiple surfaces together including leather, fabrics, textiles, fibrous materials, rubber and foam. The high tack of this product also  makes it very suitable for upholstery uses and car interiors. Tip: Apply a thin and even cover to  both surfaces and leave dry until ‘touch tacky’. Then place surfaces together and apply pressure evenly for a good bonding. It’s important to take care  when doing this not to entrap air.

 

Watch our YouTube video for more information.

 Latex 61

For your all-rounder non-fuss glue, stick with the Latex 61. This water based natural rubber latex is ideal  for applications in the footwear industry and similar trades. The key thing to know about water based adhesives is that the substance become stronger as the water evaporates or when it has been absorbed by the substrate. The Latex 61 is also easy to  clean and doesn’t need any additional solutions. If it is still wet, simply wipe with water and if it has dried, simply peel off the excess waste. Tip: Stir well before use and for more intricate work, use a brush to apply the adhesive.

 

4224 Spray Glue 

For those who work predominantly with fabrics, leathers and foams, the 4224 Spray Glue comes highly rated. The synthetic polymer base is a non-flammable  and adapts well to different textiles and materials. Exceptional for bonding fabrics and foams  to themselves as well as other surfaces such as metal, wood and fibreglass, the 4224 adhesive is Ideal for those working in the upholstery, equestrian and  bag industries. For uses on surfaces that are not subjected to immediate low tension a one  way stick is satisfactory but for applications that encounter immediate high tension, a two-way stick is essential. Tip: Once the spray adhesive has been applied,  bonds should be merged as soon as possible (between 30 seconds and 3 minutes). It  should be noted that the tack time will depend on the two factors, the type of surface and the quantity of adhesive applied. 

 

If you are still unsure then why not purchase a selection of glues and discover which one works best for you through trial and error. All the adhesives above are available in smaller containers. Whichever glue is best suited for you and your needs, remember   to always handle with care.