Glue Selections for Vinyl We've been doing a lot of research on Glue/Adhesives/Epoxy. Vinyl dolls have peculiar requirements. You can't use just anything on vinyl, or else your wigs and other things will fall off within months (or even a few days.) Vinyl has oils in it which work against many adhesives. In fact, if glue will work on vinyl then it will probably work on anything else. Vinyl and rubber are a class by themselves, and they are different from plastic. Things that work with plastic may not work with vinyl. But, if an adhesive will work with rubber then it is probably good for vinyl as well. Glue for Wigs I haven't been satisfied with the long term durability of any of the CLEAR craft glues, including E6000. I've stopped using CLEAR glue for wigs. I do use E6000 a lot, but I don't use it directly on vinyl anymore. My favorite glues for vinyl come from the hardware store: Cove base adhesive, and I also like Liquid Nails. Liquid Nails is the putty color stuff used for construction purposes. It comes in a toothpaste style tube as well as caulking gun cartridges. My current favorite for wigs is vinyl cove base adhesive such as the Henry brand. Vinyl cove base comes in a quart size tub for $5. It's creamy, thick and really gives a tight bond. Vinyl cove base is the vinyl molding that is installed at the base of walls. Vinyl cove base adhesive is easier to work with than Liquid Nails because you need to use a solvent to clean up Liquid Nails. Vinyl cove base is made specifically for vinyl. Liquid Nails info doesn't mention that it can be used with vinyl, but I have noticed that it forms an extremely strong bond with vinyl and actually seems to become part of it. I like using Liquid Nails when I'm glue-ing eyes or magnets INSIDE the dolls head, where the adhesive won't be seen. If you are replacing eyes in a vinyl doll, Liquid nails can form a new "skin" around the back of the eyeball, to hold it in place. These hardware adhesives are putty or creamy color and don't shown when used underneath wigs. So, this is what I'm currently recommending for wigs, and since I don't have a wholesale source for either of these adhesives, it's best to look for them at the hardware store. I've even seen Liquid Nails at Winn Dixie. We do offer the following glues because we like them and use them for specific purposes:
Elmer's is a very respected name in glue. Woodworkers rely heavily on the Elmer's brand wood glue because of it's tight bond. And, reborners have found that Elmer's Glue-All works better than any of the other white craft glues that are out there.
VINYL DOLLS APPLICATIONS:
Primarily, we use Elmer's Glue-All for glueing the eyelashes. This is the 4 oz size bottle.
Steel Weld is a two-part epoxy. It comes with a tube of "steel" and a tube of resin hardener. It's very easy to use these products. Squeeze equal amounts of each "part" on to a paper plate (disposable) and stir them together thoroughly using a popsicle stick or plastic spoon (disposable). Apply the glue and allow to set overnight.
These epoxies "in a tube" don't look as glamorous as the space-age injection style cartridges, but you get a lot more glue for the price. And they work just as well, or better.
VINYL DOLLS APPLICATION:
I specifically like this product for gluing magnets to pacifiers and inside the vinyl dolls. It is grey in color but can be painted if you want. Steel Weld doesn't run or slide and it gives an absolutely powerful bond to magnets. This is my "first choice" adhesive for magnets.
The glue does not interfere with performance: the magnets worked fine even though there was glue on the surface of the magnet. In fact, I intentionally worked the putty style glue up the edges and over the top of the magnet a bit, so the epoxy works like the "prongs" on a diamond ring, and gives more hold on the magnet.
QUICK SET EPOXY is a two-part epoxy. It's very easy to use these products. Squeeze equal amounts of each "part" on to a paper plate (disposable) and stir them together thoroughly using a popsicle stick or plastic spoon (disposable). Apply the glue and allow to set overnight.
These epoxies "in a tube" don't look as glamorous as the space-age injection style cartridges, but you get a lot more glue for the price. And they work just as well, or better.
VINYL DOLLS APPLICATIONS:
This clear, fast setting epoxy can be used for magnets, faux umbilical cords, and just about anything that you may want to glue on vinyl.
NOTE: We don't recommend this glue for eyes or eyelashes, it might damage the acrylic eyes.
E6000: E6000 is thick, dries clear and flexible and can be painted. I do use E6000 for many of my doll projects, but I don't like to use it directly on vinyl. And it's not strong enough to hold magnets. It is a very strong adhesive though, and sometimes E6000 is exactly what you need for the job.
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PLASTIC CLEANER:
I use Plastic Cleaner as a solvent for cleaning up after using glue. It can remove most glues from fingers and spills. Just put a little bit of the plastic cleaner on a cotton pad and scrub off the glue. Plastic Cleaner is the 2 oz size. We also have pints in our Supplies department. |
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Silly Prilly Gifts |
ELMERS GLUE ALL:
We have tried several of the white craft glues, but when it comes right down to it, you can't beat good ol' Elmer's Glue-All. This is not the School Glue, which is a wimpy formula for kids. This is old-fashioned Glue-All: an all-purpose household glue that dries clear and bonds tight.
STEEL WELD TYPE 45:
Heavy Duty formula!! Steel Weld will chemically bond steel, brass, copper, bronze, iron, plastic, wood, concrete and ceramics. High temperature and pressure resistant. Handymen rely on the steel weld products for all kinds of home and auto repairs. Grey color. Steel Weld is similar to putty consistency when it is mixed. Does not run or drip.
QUICK SET EPOXY TYPE 43:
Sets up clear in 4 minutes. Quick Set Epoxy is one of the most versatile products you can buy. Quick Set Epoxy provides a strong permanent bond to metals, wood, concrete, rubber and most plastics. AUTOMOTIVE USES: molding trim items, emblems, bumper strips. HOME USES: toys, jewelry, china, porcelain, appliances, furniture. SHOP USES: tools, critical repairs, hobbies.
