contact cement Vs. super glue: what’s the difference?
Contact Cement is better for porous materials and offers a longer open time but takes longer to reach full strength. Super Glue sets faster and can bond a wider range of materials but has a shorter shelf life.
Contact Cement Vs. Super Glue: Specs & Uses
šInstructions
Contact Cement: Apply a thin even coat on both surfaces, let dry 15-20 mins, and press surfaces together with pressure
Super Glue: Apply 1 drop/sq. inch, assemble parts, and hold for 15 secs
šNot Recommended for
Contact Cement: Polystyrene foams, heavy metals
Super Glue: Glass, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.
š ļøCommon Uses
Contact Cement is ideal for securing laminate sheets to countertops; bonding pool table bumpers to the rails; repairing rubber or leather shoe midsoles and outsoles; bond a deck pad to your paddleboard.
Super Glue is suitable for repairing metal jewelry; can be used to fix bronze lampshades; completely non-toxic.
Technical Info
My Hands-on Test of DAP Contact Cement
ā A Convenient Gel Formulation
First and foremost, Contact Cement comes in a convenient gel formulation, making it a breeze to apply with a simple brush or spatula. No need for fancy spray guns or complicated setups ā just good old-fashioned elbow grease. The cement itself has a cloudy, clear appearance, ensuring it won’t discolor or show through most materials.
It’s amazing how strong Contact Cement is. I’ve used it to laminate Formica onto plywood countertops, and let me tell you, that bond is practically unbreakable. While it’s not designed to support weight on its own, it creates an exceptionally strong, waterproof adhesive bond between surfaces that can withstand even the toughest conditions.
Waterproof
Speaking of waterproof, I’ve even ventured into outdoor projects with Contact Cement, such as attaching plastic sheeting to landscape borders or vinyl fencing. Although not rated for continuous exterior exposure, it has held up remarkably well against the elements in my experience. Just be sure to let it cure fully before exposing it to moisture.
In my workshop, Contact Cement has been a lifesaver for projects like adhering vinyl to speaker boxes or laminating plywood sheets together. In these types of applications, it creates a strong, durable bond. And for those delicate upholstery jobs, like attaching headliners or bonding fabric to polystyrene, it created a thin, even coat to both surfaces. Remeber to let it get tacky before joining them together. The bond is strong yet gentle, never soaking through or discoloring the materials.
Contact Cement for Shoes
Here’s how to apply contact cement for shoes
- Clean the bottom surface of the shoe with a sending paper
- Apply a thin bead of glue along the top edge of the sole and across the interior surface of the sole.
- BARGE contact cement
is used Works on shoe repair materials, smooth leathers, weather, etc
For shoe repairing functions, you can take a look at my test on Barge Cement vs. Shoe Goo.
Contact Cement On Vinyl
From sticky concrete slabs to faux marble (marble stick-on vinyl)
āPotential Drawbacks
Now, let’s address the potential drawbacks. Contact Cement does have a potent, solvent-like odor, so I always make sure to use it in a well-ventilated area. While a respirator isn’t strictly necessary for small jobs, it’s not a bad idea if you’ll be working with it for an extended period. Additionally, it’s important to note that Contact Cement is not recommended for bonding concrete or rubber surfaces ā for those materials, you’ll want to seek out a more specialized adhesive.
One final tip: don’t even think about using Contact Cement as a grout or trying to clean your brushes with solvents. Trust me, it’s not worth the hassle. Just embrace the disposable brush life and enjoy the convenience of this no-fuss adhesive.
FAQ of DAP Weldwood Original Contact Cement
Q: Will this glue bond a dense rubber parking block to concrete?
A: Some users have recommended construction adhesive, particularly construction adhesive for fiberglass, for this type of application. Alternatively, you may want to consider using concrete anchors.
Q: I want to attach a 1/8-inch thick rubber mat to plywood. Will Contact Cement work?
A: Contact Cement would be a good choice for attaching rubber to wood, a better choice is Rubber cement, which I’ve discussed in my article 
Contact Cement vs. Rubber Cement. It provides a strong and flexible bond, making it suitable for attaching rubber to various surfaces, including plywood.
Q: Will Contact Cement effectively bond seat foam to plastic?
A: Yes, that’s why I purchased it.
Q: Can Contact Cement be used to apply fabric to a painted cabinet?
A: It could work, depending on the fabric’s weight and the solidity of the paint. However, I would recommend using 3M 90 spray adhesive instead, as it’s easier to apply and offers the same concept.
Q: Is Contact Cement suitable for stacking leather to leather?
A: Contact Cement is great for cementing leather to leather. I don’t know of any better product for that purpose.
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What Is Original Super Glue
ā Thin, Runny Consistency
I love the thin, runny consistency of this super glue. It seeps perfectly into cracks, crevices, and tight spaces – much better than those gel-like formulas. Whether I’m mending a broken ceramic piece or reattaching a metal embellishment on a piece of jewelry, the glue finds its way into all the nooks and crannies for a solid bond.
Best Adhesive for Stainless Steel to Ceramic, Wood, Plastic & Drywall
The strength is also seriously impressive. I’ve used it to reassemble heavy bronze lamp shades, re-attach wood veneers, and even (accidentally) glue my hand to my crotch area – a mishap that proved just how tenacious this adhesive really is! It creates industrial-strength bonds on metal, rubber, most plastics, ceramics, china, wood, pottery, and more.
While I wouldn’t recommend using it for medical purposes, I have used a dab in an emergency to close up a small cut until I could get proper medical supplies. For everyday wounds though, a medical-grade skin glue is better to avoid potential skin irritation or other issues from the chemicals.
From repairing small tears in fabric curtains to dealing with minor cuts on my hands, super glue has become my go-to solution. Some people claim that duct tape and WD-40 are the ultimate repair tools, but I find them lacking. Duct tape leaves annoying residue, and WD-40 is not a proper lubricant, merely a penetrating oil. However, super glue has proven time and again that it can fix anything that is broken.
Goo Gone Vs. WD-40: Remove Rust on Metal, Grease, Grime, Gum, and Tar, Lubricate Bike Parts
As for durability and longevity, I glued part of an old-school desk to the wall years ago as a quirky shelving unit, and that bond is still going strong to this day! Whether for heavy-duty projects or delicate repairs, this super glue delivers incredible Hold-ability that lasts.
āCan Irritate Eyes and Skin
One important note – the glue package does warn that it can irritate eyes and skin upon contact and is not intended for ingestion, so take proper precautions. I’d also avoid using it on any electrical components or anything that conducts electricity, as that could be unsafe.
FAQ of Original Super Glue
Q: Can I use Super Glue to repair metal jewelry? I have a metal enhancer that has come apart, and I need to reattach the back to the front.
A: I successfully used it to fix a bronze lampshade, so it definitely works with certain types of metal. This super-strong adhesive will surely do the job for you. Best of luck with your repair!
Q: What is the strength of Super Glue?
A: It’s incredibly strong, to the point where it can even bond my hand tightly to my crotch.
Q: Will Super Glue work on bamboo?
A: According to the manufacturer, it is not recommended for use on bamboo.
Q: Can I use Super Glue with fake nails?
A: Super Glue instantly bonds various materials, including metal, aluminum, rubber, most plastics, ceramics, china, wood, pottery, jewelry, and even fingernails. See more: nail glue vs gorilla glue
Iām Ronald Stevens, a Mechanical Engineer obsessed with adhesives, glue, and all things sticky! My passion began in childhood when Iād always be the one playing with glue during arts and crafts. And Iād spend hours researching and experimenting. Happy reading, and remember: stick with the best, and youāll never be stuck in a mess!
Feel free to contact me and join our discussion:
Can Contact Cement be used on rubber or leather shoe midsoles and outsoles?
I had success using it to glue the sole of my work sneakers back on according to the instructions, and it's still holding after months. I also used it to glue the bezel back on my watch, and it's been secure for over a year, even with constant wear. As long as the surface is mostly clean, it should provide…Read More
I had success using it to glue the sole of my work sneakers back on according to the instructions, and it’s still holding after months. I also used it to glue the bezel back on my watch, and it’s been secure for over a year, even with constant wear. As long as the surface is mostly clean, it should provide a strong bond.
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