Recommendation Wanted for good Styrofoam Glue

Gorilla glue?

Hot glue to tack it down, and after it's coated with Hydrocal, it's not going anywhere.

Might also try LocTite Clear Power Grab.  It's an instant grab, heavy duty exterior construction adhesive.  I've used it quite successfully for gluing foam to foam, cork roadbed to foam, track to foam and track to cork roadbed.  In N-scale, one tube goes a long ways.  Maybe not so much in O-gauge. 

G3750 posted:

All:

Any recommendations for a strong glue for styrofoam?  I've tried the Woodland Scenics Foam Tack Glue (ST-1444).  It's less than impressive.

Thanks,

George

George, by styrofoam, do you mean the blue XPS board (such as the Dow stuff available at Lowe's)?

George,

If you are indeed referring to the blue XPS foam board by Dow, then Original Gorilla Glue will work wonderfully.  I worked extensively with Owens Corning pink XPS (different brand/color, same stuff) to build my Christmas layout this year.  I can tell you with 100% certainty that Gorilla Glue will bond the foam.  Here is a construction picture from last month:

Definitely hot glue. Cheap, fast, strong.

I am using Loctite for foamboard to glue pink foam to board. Working great.  https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lo...ve-1421941/202020476

If you are using a hot wire foam carving tool, a lot of construction glues will not cut. 

Styrofoam, or Foam insulation board.  There is a big difference'.. Hot glue will melt the Styrofoam, but not the blue,green, or pink foam board.  Liquid nails or any good whit glue will work on Styrofoam.  However, it needs ample time to dry and adhere well...... Best of luck... 

George,

 I've had good results with Liquid Nails.

Tom 

Me too. Loctite's Power Grab works also. Just make sure that you read on the label that it's "Foam Safe". Anything with strong solvent will melt foam. They make lower temp hot glue guns that extrude foam safe hot glues. If you're gluing up large surfaces though the glue will chill below liquid before the pieces are in place. For large surface I'd go with structural adhesives.

I have a post from yesterday about a box I converted for storing a Sharknose ABA. When I was gluing the foam dividers in the box I used two glues.  Elmers pro wood glue where I glued the foam to the cardboard and Gorilla glue for foam on foam.The Gorilla glue would have worked for all the gluing however it is much more expensive than the wood glue and I would have had to buy a new bottle.  The Elmers wood glue will work for foam on foam however it takes a very long time to cure. When gluing the foam to the cardboard the cardboard will facilitate drawing the water out of the glue however this does not happen with foam on foam and a sound joint can take a couple of days to cure if it is broad.  The Gorilla glue actually cures faster in the presents of a little water vapor much like CA.          j

MikeH posted:

G3750 posted:

All:

Any recommendations for a strong glue for styrofoam?  I've tried the Woodland Scenics Foam Tack Glue (ST-1444).  It's less than impressive.

Thanks,

George

George, by styrofoam, do you mean the blue XPS board (such as the Dow stuff available at Lowe's)?

Yes, this the green or pink or blue extruded styrofoam.

George

I think back in the day I used Elmer's White and didn't have a problem adhering the styro to plywood, if that's what you're trying to do.

"I think back in the day I used Elmer's White and didn't have a problem adhering the styro to plywood, if that's what you're trying to do."

I'm referring here to the pink foamboard insulation, not the white styrofoam. 

Also using expanding foam from a spray can works great if you have all your pieces precut and ready.

  Home Depot and Lowes should have it

Much cheaper I think than the other glues for bulk scenery work for me

  I built most of this mountain so far, using spray foam as adhesive.

 Great for un even joints etc with the expand factor

  Here are some pics

Al

lashup50 posted:

"I think back in the day I used Elmer's White and didn't have a problem adhering the styro to plywood, if that's what you're trying to do."

I'm referring here to the pink foamboard insulation, not the white styrofoam. 

Gorilla Glue and white glue and yellow wood glue will all adhere well to both construction foam and styrofoam.  Both these foams are made by mixing styrene monomer and a foaming agent. Construction foams have more styrene  per cubic inch and less foaming agent thus are denser. Chemically they are nearly identical to the plastic in model kits though the foaming agent may leave behind it's traces.  The problem with using White glue and yellow wood glue is the water in them must have a path to escape wood and cardboard will supply an adequate path for the water to escape. The problem with Polyvinyl acetate "white glue" is it is not very resistant to moisture.  Yellow wood glue "Aliphatic resin" is more resistant to water once cured.  If I am gluing any foam to cardboard or wood I will use yellow wood glue instead of white glue.  When gluing foam to foam any water in the glue will have a difficult time escaping and the joint will take a long time to cure. This is when I switch to Gorilla glue "Polyurethane glue" in fact a little water vapor will facilitate the cure. Huff your breath on the mating surfaces just before joining.  This stuff will foam up and adequate means of clamping are called for. It is great for filling gaps. Good article on wood glues though much applies to gluing in general.           j

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_glue

Link to a construction adhesive in tubes.   Should be available at either big box store.   

Trainman2001 posted:

Me too. Loctite's Power Grab works also. Just make sure that you read on the label that it's "Foam Safe". Anything with strong solvent will melt foam. They make lower temp hot glue guns that extrude foam safe hot glues. If you're gluing up large surfaces though the glue will chill below liquid before the pieces are in place. For large surface I'd go with structural adhesives.

I too like Loctite Power Grab.  An additional benefit is that it's available in a resealable tube, in case you only need a small amount - it will last longer than trying to keep a tube that goes into a caulking gun.  I'm sure that other adhesives are available in similar packaging, but I've found Power Grab to be a good value.