Stick ‘em up
Sam Brockley, Senior Category Manager for Adhesives and Sealants at Bostik, has these top tips…
ADHESIVE
Thanks to the latest advances in technology, grab adhesives can be used in a multitude of tasks both inside and outside the home, including bonding skirting or architrave and installing wall panelling. When it comes to choosing a grab adhesive, strength, performance and setting time are all key factors.
Silane modified polymer adhesives (also known as SMP, SM Polymer or MS), such as EVO-STIK’s Strong Stuff waterproof adhesive are solvent-free products that offer resistance to extreme temperatures and movement, superior bond strength in both wet and dry conditions and fast setting times.
Solvent-based grab adhesives are renowned for their superior final bond strength, with some, such as EVO-STIK’s GRIPFILL, also offering gap-filling properties. It’s important to check that surfaces will not be adversely affected by solvents before applying this type of adhesive.
Water-based adhesives, including EVO-STIK’s GRIPFILL Solvent Free, offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to regular, solvent-based adhesives. With no corrosive qualities, water-based grab adhesives can be used on almost any interior surface without the risk of a chemical reaction.
Most grab adhesives are applied using a standard cartridge gun. All surfaces must be clean, dry and free from dust, grease and other loose material. Any paint should be removed from surfaces where the adhesive will make contact and metal surfaces should be degreased with detergent and water or an appropriate degreaser.
Cut off the dome at the top of the cartridge, taking care not to damage the thread. Cut the nozzle to the desired width and angle and screw onto the cartridge. Insert the cartridge into a cartridge gun and repeatedly squeeze the trigger until the adhesive appears. Apply parallel beads of adhesive to one of the surfaces, then align and bring the surfaces together, pressing firmly.
After carefully scraping off the excess, uncured adhesive can be removed using heavy-duty cleaning wipes or a cloth lightly moistened with white spirit. Cured adhesive can only be mechanically removed, for example by cutting, sanding or scraping. Always refer to the product’s Technical Data Sheet before use to ensure its suitability for your task.