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How To Glue Clear Plastic Without Marks?

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Written by: Jeremy Sanchez

Updated:

How To Glue Clear Plastic Without Marks?

To glue plastic without marks, you need to move away from commonly used adhesives such as super glue and use one of the following methods:

  • Tensol 12
  • Plastic weld 
  • Aquabond 50
  • Super glue 

You could also use other adhesives to glue clear plastic, but this won’t give you a result without marks. 

This guide will show you how to glue clear plastic without marks and precision. 

How To Glue Clear Plastic Without Marks

A few methods will result in a clean and precise result. 

Tensol 12.

This very thick glue causes both plastics to melt together when applied. The thickness of this glue offers a great gap-filling solution.

You can apply this solvent in two ways:

  • With a bottle that has a nozzle
  • A wooden stick 

Applying the glue with a nozzle bottle would be best as it offers more ease of use and precision. 

When squeezing, don’t press too hard to avoid applying too much of the glue.

Tensol 12 is a very strong adhesive, great for gluing clear plastic with precision and without marks. 

Here is how to apply it:

  1. Apply one layer of the glue along the surface of the clear plastic
  2. Keep the plastic in place for a minimum of 10 minutes until the glue dries 
  3. Leave it overnight for the glue to fully cure 

Plastic weld.

A plastic weld is a liquid solvent cement with a water-like consistency. 

This adhesive is great for general plastic gluing, including acrylic, ABS, butyrate, polycarbonate, and other plastics. 

Check out my guide on the best glues for acrylic for more info.

Here is how you can use this clear adhesive to glue clear plastic without marks:

  1. Place the two clear plastics together the way you wish to glue them
  2. Carefully apply with the help of one of the following tools for a more precise result:
    1. Solvent syringe 
    2. A fine paint brush 
    3. Polyethylene bottle 
  3. Hold securely in place for 5-10 minutes
  4. Leave it to cure for about 24 hours fully 

This adhesive is also very strong and doesn’t cause unwanted issues, such as bubbling, cob-wedding, or white marks. 

If you need to get the glue into areas that are harder to access, use a brush with a kink.

Aquabond 50.

Aquabond 50 is an emulsion glue. The properties of this adhesive offer high viscosity that work well even with porous materials. 

This glue can be easily applied with a brush because of its thixotropic nature.

Aquabond 50 offers an initial high tack which is beneficial for the early handling of the materials.

Besides being very strong, this glue is also very flexible. This allows you to transport models around without a higher risk of breakages. 

Here is how to apply this adhesive to glue clear plastics together:

  1. Apply it using a small bottle with a fine nozzle – this gives you easier and more precise control 
  2. Keep the materials secured in place for about 15 minutes
  3. Let it fully cure for about 24 hours 

Super Glue.

Super glue is a high-strength adhesive with fast drying and curing time. 

When looking for super glue, be mindful of the following aspects:

  • Viscosity 
  • Set time 
  • Tensile strength 
  • Gap-fill properties 
    • what amount of gap or spacing it can accommodate while maintaining its full-strength bonding characteristic
  • Temperature and humidity resistance

You can find superglue in various types of a dispenser, providing different advantages. 

  • Gel: resistant to running during application 
  • Liquid: may fill gaps more easily 
  • Paste: resistant to running with a higher filler content 

You can apply super glue following the same steps as already described in this guide with the glue mentioned above options. 

What To Know When Gluing Clear Plastic

When working with adhesives, inhaling some of their evaporated pores is risky. Also, the glue may come into contact with your skin and cause unwanted damage. 

Always practice caution and implement safety measures. 

Wear protective gloves to protect your skin from accidental glue spillage. Also, wear a protective breathing mask. 

Work in a well-ventilated space that provides fresh and clean air for you to breathe in.

Conclusion

With the right solution, you can glue clear plastic without marks. You can choose from one of the following glue options:

  • Tensol 12
  • Plastic weld 
  • Aquabond 50
  • Super glue 

Regardless of which adhesive you choose, having the right tool to apply it with will make your job easier and offer a precise and clear result. 

Even tho the adhesive may dry within 15 minutes from the application, the full curing time does take longer. Wait for about 24 hours before you move your newly glued project.

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