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