What adhesive to glue acrylic to plywood???

[poppafish29]

I used plywood to skin the frame of my stand. I originally wanted to paint the plywood to get a black piano finish, but this would be a daunting task. So, I decided that I can achieve a pretty nice look by attaching thin sheets of black acrylic to the plywood. So, I need to know what adhesive to use. Also, I want to paint the inside of the plywood, but I wondering if it's ok to paint the outside before I glue the acrylic to it???

 

[ludnix]

You could try some sort of silicone based adhesive like RTV glue.

 

[WarrenG]

I think Contact Cement will do it.

 

[Saltyfin]

Unless you use industrial strength contact cement it won't hold up I've time because of the salt water. Get the contact cement that you paint on the 3m can one is to weak to hold what your wanting

 

[fishnub]

There is a product called devcon its an epoxy that hold up to saltwater. I used it on my rc boats. You could also use fiberglass

 

[redfishblewfish]

Silicone does not stick well to acrylic.


I think I'd give construction adhesive a shot. I've never used it for that, but it does hold other materials like grim death. It's cheap enough to buy a tube and test it out.

 

[newtophish]

There is a product called devcon its an epoxy that hold up to saltwater.

I have used this product with plywood and acrylic and had it submerged for weeks and still held.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

If it were me, I would paint/coat the stand inside and out with something waterproof - epoxy paint, urethane, whatever. Then, I'd embed magnets in the stand and either epoxy or screw bits of steel or magnets to the acrylic panels. No worries about adhesion, you can remove them later if you want (if you change your mind or want to clean or check for water damage, etc.) and it'll certainly be strong enough to hold things in place.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

FWIW "Devcon" is merely a brand name - they make dozens of different products, including common quick curing epoxy, that would work to bond acrylic to wood. They have trademarks on the names "5 Minute Epoxy" and "10 Minute Epoxy" - those are probably the products people in this thread are thinking of?

 

[jrapp13]

Silicone does not stick well to acrylic.


I think I'd give construction adhesive a shot. I've never used it for that, but it does hold other materials like grim death. It's cheap enough to buy a tube and test it out.

Make sure to use tub surround construction adhesive as its specifically for bonding acrylic, fiberglass, and plastic panels to plywood.

 

[BeanAnimal]

I would skip the whole mess and paint it like you first intended. Automotive lacquer will give you a much better finish that is mush less prone to scratching, hazing or crazing. Hell, even with good prep, rattle cans can provide a nice finish.

I would use bondo to seal the surface and any all of the defects. Sand it like your were preping a body on a car. Prime it with buildable primer and then paint it like you would a car.

The result will be 10 times better for the same overall amount of work.

Problems with attaching thin gloss black acrylic "panels":

The sheets are too think to imbed magnets. You could back them with metal tape and embed the magnets in the stand. You will have a hard time getting things to lay flat and not like a funhouse mirror.

If you use contact cement (just about any product will do, as you are bonding a larger surface area, not a tiny joint) you will have a hard time getting it all to lay flat, even using a large heavy J-roller. It will again, look like a funhouse mirror.

If you are insist on using the panels, then building trim that allows the panels to free float would not be a bad idea. That way you don't have the problems of the magnets deforming the surface and/or a wavy surface due to uneven contact cement adhesion.

Acrylic expands and contracts with temperature and humidity, the free floating panels will allow the material to take a single natural shape as it moves instead of oil-canning.

Using sheets thick enough to not transfer adhesion or other problems through is going to be much more costly than just painting the stand.

You still have to deal with the corners and seams, etc...

If you can't prep it and paint it yourself... talk to a few local body shops or put an ad on craigslist. People and business are hurting for money and will likely take the job for a very reasonable price.

 

[Luckless]

Are you putting this inside the tank? Or is this the exterior trim?

Either way I think the most reliable way may be to design it so that the finished acrylic is basically self supporting. It may be useful to use a basic food grade silicone sealant as a thin layer behind to take up any gaps and fill any airspace.

If inside the tank then the water itself is going to do most of the work holding it in, and if outside the tank then you can just include a small 'rim' that goes over the top and chemical weld it all together so it structurally hangs over the sides.

If going with the 'hanging' method, I would extend the side panels above the top of the wood by a fair margin, and either use a thicker acrylic to provide a good bonding surface, or multiple layers of the thinner stock.


The bonus to not fully fixing the finish to the tank is that if it gets damaged, then it is easier to remove and repair.

Any major flaws I haven't thought of? (I did just roll out of bed a few minutes ago.)

 

[troylee]

laminate some mdf "medite" with acrylic and you would be okay.... i would roll a coat of contact cement on the mdf to seal it, let it dry then lay down some double sided tape.....attach the wood to the wodden stand with glue or screws or whatever you want make sure there countersunk thou... once thats done peel the backing off the double sided tape and laminate the thin acrylic to it... done deal and nice and clean... i do it all the time..

 

[BeanAnimal]

Still not as nice as automative paint, and most folks who don't have the experience to laminate a thin sheet if high gloss laminate without making look like a lumpy wavy mess

 

[BeanAnimal]

Are you putting this inside the tank? Or is this the exterior trim?

What adhesive to glue acrylic to plywood???
<HR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->I used plywood to skin the frame of my stand. I originally wanted to paint the plywood to get a black piano finish, but this would be a daunting task. So, I decided that I can achieve a pretty nice look by attaching thin sheets of black acrylic to the plywood. So, I need to know what adhesive to use. Also, I want to paint the inside of the plywood, but I wondering if it's ok to paint the outside before I glue the acrylic to it???

You did just roll out of bed

 

[troylee]

if you were to paint it it would still be a nightmare at least to do it right..... were talking primer, paint, color sanding and buffing.... how about some gloss black formica that would even be better imo.....i know i custom painted for plenty of years....

 

[marspeed]

How about tape

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/VHB/Tapes/

 

[BeanAnimal]

There are plenty of 3m tapes that would work fine. The problem I keep coming back to is the wavy look due to uneven adhesion with tape, magnet or contact cement. Thin glossy material is a niightmare to work with and material thick enough to not transfer the imperfections is going to be expensive.

 

[jeff@zina.com]

I used plywood to skin the frame of my stand. I originally wanted to paint the plywood to get a black piano finish, but this would be a daunting task.

Not really. Take it to a local cabinet shop to be painted. Shouldn't run too much. Or use a black laquer spray in a HVLP air gun. You can pick up the spray gun from somewhere like Harbor Freight for pretty cheap. Just need VERY good ventilation and no wind.

Jeff

 

[marspeed]

Bean is right I know from experience, how about laminating it with black Formica there are about a thousand different patterns and colors a local cabinet shop should have plenty of cutoffs or waste you could get cheap or free they can even cut it and leave you a straight edge to work with then use contact cement to adhere


Marc