Glue for Polypropylene

[jkerklo]

I broke down and bought a lot of light bulbs and a Black and Decker "Workmate" for organizing them. Problem is, I can't find a glue for attaching the paper labels to the Workmate's bins.

I think the bins are made of polypropropylene, but can't be exactly sure. They are not styrene.

I have tried office glue sticks, rubber cement, Duco (for polystyrene), and wood glue.

The label just pops off after the glue dries.

Any ideas?

John Kerklo
TCA 94-38455
www.Three-Rail.com

[wrmcclellan]

Would doublestick tape work? There is a wide version for carpet.

Also make sure you clean the surface well. Poly is kind of oily and may also have mold release on it.

Regards,
Roy

[eZAK]

Use 220 grit sand paper over the surface then attach with clear packing tape.
This will protect the label and make it easier to change.

[lionelsoni]

I use the stick-on labels that come on a backing sheet, but put a piece of Scotch tape over the label from the start.

[jkerklo]

Roy, you rock!

Cleaning the surface with alcohol works!

I never thought of an oil or mold release. I cleaned the surface with alcohol and tried the glue stick, the Duco, and the wood glue. They all are still sticking. The wood glue may not be completely dry, I will reply again if it doesn't work.

The double sided tape works too (on the cleaned surface). I used some very thin "carpet tape" that just happened to be as wide as the plastic bin divider. Bit of trouble cutting it, so I will use the glue stick; very convenient.

Peal off labels also work, but the label size and the way I print them (a few at a time) would mean wasting label stock. That's why I went to glue (worked in the past with styrene parts drawers).

I think sanding would also work, but I will save that for more the troublesome situations.

Thanks all. Still would be interested if there is a glue especiually for polyproplyene.

John Kerklo
TCA 94-38455
www.Three-Rail.com

[jkerklo]

The wood glue didn't work. Once it dried completely, it came right off.

The glue stick and Duco seem to be holding, but we're not talking a permanent bond.

John Kerklo
TCA 94-38455
ww.Three-Rail.com

[lionelsoni]

Scotch tape.

[wrmcclellan]

Bummer. I agree with eZAK and Bob - try the tape route - particularly the clear packing tape. It has very strong adhesive.

[jkerklo]

Scotch tape sticks OK, but my labels are about the size of the bin dividers. Not much surface area left over for the tape.

John Kerklo
TCA 94-38455
www.Three-Rail.com

[jkerklo]

More bummer. The glue stick comes off too.

Well, Roy, cleaning helped, but I think I will use your double sided tape suggestion. If I put the label on the sticky side of the tape, trim, then peal off the backing and stick it on the bin it isn't too tedious. Thanks for the suggestion.

Seems like a lot of fuss for bin labels. I guess this falls into the "Do it Right ... or Don't Bother" category.

John Kerklo
TCA 94-38455
www.Three-Rail.com

[eZAK]

John,
You might also want to try silicone addhesive.

[Anonymous]

Try ZAP-A-GAP for plastic or wood , bonds

[jkerklo]

I haved learned something. Parts drawers should be styrene, NOT polypropylene.

I stopped at Caboose coming back from the WGH show in Denver (good show, by-the-way) and checked out glues. Nothing for polypropylene.

I asked. Caboose's resident chemist pointed out that polypropropylene is used to store a wide variety of chemicals. It is impervious to most solvents. There is no easy glue. Some glues will work, but are likely too inconvenient for paper labels. Oh well.

John Kerklo
TCA 94-38455
www.Three-Rail.com

[FJ and G]

What about mixing up a batch of epoxy or body filler and putting a small dab on.

[underworld]

There is a glue called "Seal All" it sticks to most anything. One great way to use this is as a contact cement. Coat surface of both objects.....let dry for whatever time it says on the label.......and stick the two pieces together.
underworld

[webenda]

Polypropylene is very difficult to bond on account of its non-polar, non-porous and chemically inert surface.

On the other hand, the paper label on the glue bottle (polypropylene?) sticks very well. How do they do that? The glue itself does not stick to the bottle.

When I had to bond polypropylene parts at work, I purchased a pretreatment from Masterbond. It worked well, however, it was a carcinogen. When I was through with it I gave it to Environmental Health and Safety engineering for disposal.

Masterbond's web site gives more information.
http://www.masterbond.com/bspolye.html

[jkerklo]

Thanks webenda. Great web site for learning about glue. I don't know much about glue, beyond wood glue. Looks like a bit of learning will be useful. I have bookmarked the site.

I have used the double-sided tape suggested by Roy. Works OK and might be a hint as to how the label on the polypropylene bottle is held on. Is the double-sided tape a "glue" or is it some other class of material?

I haven't given up yet. I think I will try the silicone adhesive suggested by eZak and the Seal All suggested by underworld. I might try the epoxy if I happen to be mixing some for something else.

The web site mentions "hot melt" glue. Not sure if the conventional stuff will work, but I think I will try that too.

I have picked up the gauntlet thrown down by polypropylene!

John Kerklo
TCA 94-38455
www.Three-Rail.com