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Keep in contact with cement

How to use contact cement: An expert’s guide

Our guide on how to use contact cement will answer your questions about this versatile glue. We’ll help you choose the best formula.

4 min read

If you want to know how to use contact cement, look no further. We have the answers here. Full instructions and product selection all in one easy guide.

What is contact cement good for?

Contact cement, or contact adhesive, is a unique type of glue that is well suited to laminating one material to another, such as flooring and fabrics. It is often used to apply countertop laminates to the wood substrate and paper products, such as charts or posters, to a display board.

It has several advantages including a low moisture content compared to many other types of glue. This means it will not bleed through paper or most fabrics. 

Also, some types of contact cement glue remain repositionable, which is very handy for certain applications. 

Contact adhesives come in solvent-based and water-based varieties. Spray-on contact adhesive is also very common. We’ll provide some guidelines for choosing the best product for your job, but always check the label for specifics.

How to use contact cement glue

Using contact cement is a bit different than most other adhesives. It is generally applied to both surfaces and allowed to dry to a tacky state before attaching the parts. Here’s how to apply contact cement:

  1. Surfaces must be clean and dry. Sand smooth surfaces to increase adhesion.
  2. Apply a thin coat of contact adhesive to both surfaces using a small putty knife or brush. (If using spray-on adhesive, shake the can and spray an even coat on both surfaces.)
  3. Allow 5–10 minutes for the adhesive to become tacky. (Check the label for details.)
  4. Press the surfaces together firmly.
  5. Use a roller to remove any air pockets under laminates, or in the case of a fabric, smooth out any wrinkles. Clamp in place or put weight on the item if needed. 
  6. Allow time to cure (at least 2 hours). 
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You may have wondered why contact cement is allowed to dry before joining the parts. By letting the cement dry to a tacky state, most of the solvent that allowed it to be spreadable (or sprayable) has evaporated. The contact cement actually bonds to itself, so once the solvent is gone, a strong bond develops almost instantly.

Using contact cement: Product selection

LePage Heavy Duty Contact Cement is our premium-quality solvent-based adhesive. It bonds on contact and generally needs no clamping. It is resistant to heat, moisture, and oil, and it comes in a squeeze tube or brush-on can.

LePage Low Odour Contact Cement is preferred in situations where a thicker formula is needed. It spreads smoothly without dripping or stringing and is ideal for vertical applications. It dries fast and is also heat, oil, and moisture resistant. No clamping required! It’s also low in odour, solvent-free, and non-toxic, making it safe for indoor use.

Prefer a spray-on adhesive for your project? Try LePage Multipurpose Spray Adhesive. It can be used for permanent or repositionable bonding. It dries clear and is perfect for fabrics, photos, paper, and cardboard applications. It will not bleed through or curl the paper.

Related Products

  • lepage contact cement heavy duty 30ml card
    LePage Heavy Duty Contact Cement

    LePage Heavy Duty Contact Cement is a premium-grade, Low VOC adhesive that creates a high-strength bond.

  • lepage contact cement low odor 237ml bottle
    LePage Low Odour Contact Cement

    LePage Low Odour Contact Cement is a water-based adhesive that creates a strong, tough bond with excellent hot-creep resistance.

  • lepage spray adhesive multi purpose 312g can
    LePage Multi Purpose Spray Adhesive

    LePage Multi-Purpose Spray Adhesive dries clear and has a superior bonding strength for indoor use.

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