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Gluing cork roadbed to foam base

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  • Member since
    February 2013
  • 24 posts
Posted by dslack490 on Friday, January 11, 2019 5:34 PM

Thank you all for the replies, and it looks like I should just go with foam-safe caulk. 

  • Member since
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  • From: Shenandoah Valley
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Posted by BigDaddy on Friday, January 11, 2019 5:25 PM

Probably is too late for him not to use foam.  A lot of people like foam, I didn't even know it was a controversy.

The question is a "reinvent the wheel question." 

Elmers says: "The durable, clear-drying wet tack glue that offers a long-lasting bond, and post-drying flexibility. Safe and non-toxic, this glue won't run and is ideal for multi-purpose craft projects involving porous and semi-porous materials.

It's virture of post drying flexibility isn't needed and neither the track nor the foam are porous.  

The questions are: is it foam safe? Some glues eat into the foam.  Does it make a good bond between non porous surfaces?  Can track be easily removed, as with caulk, if there is a need to change or tear down the layout? 

If you have a supply of tacky glue, it's probably worth while to try it on a piece of scrap foam.  Otherwise it's a more expensive product  with uncertain results.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    November 2015
  • 723 posts
Posted by UNCLEBUTCH on Friday, January 11, 2019 5:11 PM

IMO. tacky glue is well, tacky. May be hard to spread. And willcost more.

Plain ole latex chaulk works well

  • Member since
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Posted by dslack490 on Friday, January 11, 2019 4:50 PM

mbinsewi

I don't see why not.  I used caulk, but that was my preference, just regular latex white.

If your unsure, do a little test section.  Not sure about the spray variety that Elmer's has.  You just want an adhesive that won't attack the foam, and anything solvent base will melt it.

Mike.

 

I didn't think of doing a test section, but I may just end up going with foam safe caulk

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
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Posted by rrinker on Friday, January 11, 2019 4:49 PM

2 layouts with foam, no issues. No excess noise, either. I just used cheap caulk, but other stuff shoulkd work. I suspect caulk for the cork to foam and also for the track tot he cork plays a part in not making it noisy, but it didn;t get any louder when I ballasted, either.

                                          --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    February 2013
  • 24 posts
Posted by dslack490 on Friday, January 11, 2019 4:48 PM

Bayfield Transfer Railway

Is it too late to tell  you not to use foam?  Tried it, hated it, will never touch it again.

 

 

 

Yes. I put it on first just in case if I wantred to carve out for a river.

  • Member since
    April 2012
  • From: Huron, SD
  • 1,016 posts
Posted by Bayfield Transfer Railway on Friday, January 11, 2019 3:51 PM

Is it too late to tell  you not to use foam?  Tried it, hated it, will never touch it again.

 

Disclaimer:  This post may contain humor, sarcasm, and/or flatulence.

Michael Mornard

Bringing the North Woods to South Dakota!

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Yorkton, Sk, Cnd
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Posted by wvg_ca on Friday, January 11, 2019 3:49 PM

i know that elmers spray adhesive wont attack foam itself ,  but DAP foam safe caulking [in a large tube] is a fair bit cheaper  .. i used clear and white DAP cauking on foam to foam, and foam to plywood ..with a squeeze gun

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Friday, January 11, 2019 3:18 PM

I don't see why not.  I used caulk, but that was my preference, just regular latex white.

If your unsure, do a little test section.  Not sure about the spray variety that Elmer's has.  You just want an adhesive that won't attack the foam, and anything solvent base will melt it.

Mike.

  • Member since
    February 2013
  • 24 posts
Gluing cork roadbed to foam base
Posted by dslack490 on Friday, January 11, 2019 2:35 PM

This may seem like a stupid question, but I am about to glue down my cork roadbed to my foam base. I have seen people say that foam safe caulk is the best way to go. My question is, can I use tacky glue, like Elmer's Craftbond Tacky Glue instead of caulk and still get a comparable result?

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