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Acrylic glass, often referred to by the trademarked term Plexiglas, is a strong, transparent plastic with various uses. Because it is transparent and needs to perform well in high-stress applications, you will need a special type of glue called methylene chloride to bond two pieces. The methylene chloride is a type of solvent cement that works by melting the acrylic to fuse pieces together.
Things You Should Know
- Cut your Plexiglas sheets to the desired size, then clean each piece with mild soap and water (especially around the edges).
- Use tape to hold the pieces together in the desired formation, then apply methylene chloride glue to the joints with a syringe.
- Let the glue set for 24-48 hours, then use fine-grit sandpaper to rub away any excess adhesive that hardened around the joints.
Steps
Preparing the Plexiglas
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1Choose a solid workspace. Your workspace should be made of wood, metal, or concrete. Grass or paper are not good choices, as the Plexiglas could adhere to these materials.
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2Cut the Plexiglas, if necessary. Prepare the pieces to be joined by cutting them to the proper size and shape. Acrylic glass that is a quarter inch (6.3 mm) or thicker is best cut with a table saw or miter saw. Pieces that are thinner than this can be scored with a utility knife and then snapped cleanly apart, but only along straight lines.[1]
- If your cut edges are rough, sand and polish them so you have a clean and smooth edge on which to apply the glue.[2]
- Remove the protective film, if applicable, after cutting so as not to scratch the Plexiglas.
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3Clean the Plexiglas. Before attempting to join the acrylic glass, clean the pieces with a mild soap and water, focusing on the edges that will be glued. After cleaning and rinsing the pieces, blot them dry thoroughly with a clean cloth - don’t rub, or you may scratch the surface.
- You can also clean acrylic glass with isopropyl alcohol.[3]
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4Set the acrylic glass in place for gluing. Once you have cleaned the pieces, fit them together as they will be joined. After ensuring a snug fit, secure the pieces together with either masking tape or clamps.[4]
Applying the Glue
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1Apply the glue to the joint. The glue must be applied with a syringe, because it is water-thin and works by melting the acrylic to bond two pieces together. Using a 25 gauge syringe, apply a small amount of methylene chloride (such as Weld-On #3) to the joint between the two acrylic glass pieces, drawing the syringe toward you rather than pushing it away.[5]
- Wear heavy rubber gloves and safety glasses when applying the methylene chloride.
- Do not attempt to apply the solvent cement to the pieces separately and then press them together. This method will produce a weaker joint and up the risk of drips. These will melt and deform any acrylic glass they touch.
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2Allow the glue to set. You should let the glue set for 24-48 hours to ensure a secure bond. You can then remove any clamps or tape that were holding the pieces of acrylic glass together.[6]
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3Sand the joint smooth. Allow the glue to set completely, then use a fine-grit sandpaper to smooth out any rough patches of adhesive. Clean off the dust when you are finished sanding by washing the acrylic glass with soap and water or isopropyl alcohol.[7]
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4Check the joint to ensure it is watertight. If the acrylic glass will be used to contain water, you should check your joint for leaks. Run water over the joint or submerge the piece in water, and check for the appearance of leaks. If the glass leaks, allow it to dry thoroughly then apply additional glue to the joint.
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5Finished.
Community Q&A
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QuestionIs ethylene chloride toxic?
Community AnswerIt can be if it's ingested or comes into contact with the eyes or skin, but if you take the proper safety precautions, you'll be fine. -
QuestionCan I use a Corian epoxy to join Plexiglas?
Community AnswerNo, an epoxy will not work. The methylene chloride bonds the acrylic glass together by melting it. An epoxy isn't strong enough to bond the acrylic in the same way. -
QuestionWhere do you buy the glue?
Community AnswerMethylene chloride can be bought at many hardware stores. It is also available online. Another name for the glue is Weld-On #3.
Things You'll Need
- Acrylic glass
- Saw or utility knife
- Mild soap
- Water
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Clean cloth
- Masking tape
- Clamps
- Methylene chloride
- 25 gauge syringe
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Safety glasses
- Heavy rubber gloves
References
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-cut-plexiglass/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-cut-plexiglass/
- ↑ http://www.cutlasercut.com/resources/tips-and-advice/bonding-and-glueing-acrylic-and-plastics
- ↑ http://makezine.com/2015/10/29/skill-builder-acrylic/
- ↑ http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/eplastics_how_to_videos/How-to-Glue-Plexiglass-acrylic-from-ePlastics-com
- ↑ http://makezine.com/2015/10/29/skill-builder-acrylic/
- ↑ http://www.cutlasercut.com/resources/tips-and-advice/bonding-and-glueing-acrylic-and-plastics
About This Article
To glue plexiglas, start by cleaning the surface with mild soap and water and drying it with a clean cloth. Next, fit the glass pieces together to ensure a snug fit and secure them in place with masking tape or clamps. Then, use a 25 gauge syringe to apply methylene chloride glue to the joint between the two glass pieces. Finally, let the glue set for 24-48 hours to ensure a secure bond. After the glue is set, you can use fine-grit sandpaper to smooth out any rough patches on the joint. For tips on cutting plexiglas before gluing the pieces together, read on!
