4 Things to Consider When Choosing an Adhesive

Adhesives come in a variety of chemistries and forms, and each has unique features that are formulated to solve a particular problem or need. Science has allowed for engineering very specific adhesives, and they tend to come in polar opposites: solvent or acrylic, clear or pigmented, removable or permanent. 

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From epoxy to thread lockers, and everything in between, choosing the correct adhesive for your project comes down to the application it will be used for and the environment in which it will be applied. 

To get the best results, ask yourself the following questions before selecting your adhesive: 

What surface, container or product will the adhesive be applied to?

Adhesives attach to the surfaces of two substrates, unlike a process that fuses substrates into a unified whole such as welding metal or solvent activation of plastics. In selecting a GlueGun.com adhesive, surface condition must be considered: roughness, smoothness, porosity, coated, uncoated, cleanliness, flexibility, and size of the part. Check out our Surface Preparation Tips and Tricks for adhesive bonding. 

Not every adhesive will work on every surface. For example, polyurethane adhesives are an excellent choice for finish carpentry and other woodworking projects, as they provide durability, impact resistance and flexibility in open times.

Pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) adhere to most surfaces, and contact adhesives are particularly well-suited in applications where clamping is difficult. 

Some adhesives, like epoxies, require thorough surface preparation (cleaning, roughening) in order to adhere properly. MMA's would be better for metal bonding in general because they require little or no surface preparation. 

Hot melt glue sticks and bulk hot melt excel at bonding porous materials such as paper, cardboard, wood, as well as some plastics. 

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What temperature will the adhesive endure or be exposed to during use, distribution and storage?

Many environmental conditions affect how adhesives cure and perform over long periods of time. One of the most significant environmental factors is temperature. Minor changes in temperature can have major changes in cure speed and storage life of adhesives. Most organic adhesives have maximum continuous operating temperatures and if exposed to higher temperatures for long periods of time their performance drops significantly. 

Thermosetting adhesives such as melamine, phenolic and formaldehyde resins form strong bonds and have good resistance to higher temperatures. Silicone adhesives have a high degree of flexibility as well as a very high temperature resistance, making them excellent choices for marine or plumbing applications. As a rule, curing will be slower at lower temperatures and faster at higher temperatures. 

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Will the adhesive need to be one that forms a strong, permanent bond, or one that allows the joined surfaces to be removed or re-positioned as needed?

Adhesive strength is the interfacial strength between adhesive and substrate, and usually the most important consideration when designing a strong adhesive bonded assembly. However, adhesive strength is not the only factor critical to creating an effective bond. Even when using the world's toughest adhesive, a bond will fail if the adhesive does not bond to the surface of the substrate.

Water-based adhesives are commonly used for laminating, they're also a lower cost alternative to resins. Hot melt adhesives can be melted or softened repeatedly by heat, or set by cooling, which allows for re-positioning during assembly. Often, removable adhesives are used as positioning aids during product build. 

Polyurethane hot melt, more commonly known as PUR, is an adhesive that shares many characteristics of traditional glue sticks and bulk hot melt. That said, PUR hot melt is not dispensed in a traditional glue gun and can offer some additional bonding attributes that may fit applications that require a stronger bond or higher endurance to the elements. 

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Will the adhesive be exposed to high humidity during end use, application or distribution?

Excessive humidity can cause adhesives to become more foamy in appearance or softer in quality. It can also result in film formation in certain curing agents. Some adhesives may not be affected by humidity within a certain range, but if condensation forms on top of a substrate, you can be assured that the bond strength will be negatively impacted. 

Moisture and humidity will both have an effect on adhesion performance. Acrylic adhesives have excellent environmental resistance but because they are water-based, they are more susceptible to moisture which affects their application and durability aspects. When it comes to humidity, when it's low, drying is accelerated; when high, drying is slower. 

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Adhesive Testing

Even after all of these questions are answered, there's no guarantee a particular adhesive will perform exactly as you need it to. Adhesive testing is strongly recommended prior to production or purchase. When testing, some factors affecting bond strength you'll want to consider include:

• Test temperature
• The adhesive contact area
• Type of force applied
• The adhesive's properties
• Adhesion to substrates
• Prior or subsequent exposure to heat or moisture
• Storage, complex and loss modulus

Contact Us

At GlueGun.com we offer quality products and deliver great customer service in equal measure; our experienced professionals guarantee it. 

If you have additional questions, or would like more information on the use of adhesives, custom formulations or application products, contact us for more information. 

How are SOLYX® films installed?

Installing SOLYX® window film is one of the easiest do-it-yourself projects there is. All SOLYX® Decorative Films have an acrylic adhesive system protected by a removable release liner which must be removed prior to installation. Films are installed using a water and soap based solution. See the Installation Instructions page for more details on installation.

Can SOLYX® films be removed?

Yes. Unlike other decorative glass processes, SOLYX® Decorative Films can be removed if desired. This of course is a huge advantage and most landlords do not object to their tenants' installation of film when they find out the product can be removed. In addition, the cost of reinstalling SOLYX® Decorative Films on existing glass is low in comparison to other processes.

How do I remove old film?

Removing SOLYX® Static Cling films is as easy as peeling the film from the glass and cleaning.

In most cases it is very easy to remove SOLYX® or SimGlas® adhesive films. Peel away the film from one corner and pull the film from the glass. If any adhesive remains on the glass it can easily be removed with a spray of soapy water and a single edge razorblade. (Blades cannot be used on Plexiglas or Polycarbonate sheets to remove film.)

What tools do I need to install the film?

Basically, you will need tools to clean the glass, cut the film, squeegee the film and spray the soap and water solution. As we now charge for tools, you will need to purchase either the basic tool kit or complete tool kit with your order. These tool kits may be found in our category page Tools & Cleaner.

Do I install the film on the inside or the outside of the glass?

Always on the inside if possible. The films will stick to the outside, but the life of the films will be reduced due to weathering if installed on the exterior side (exposed to the elements).
Static Cling non-adhesive films are not recommended for outside installation.

Are your films suitable for humid, wet environments like a bathroom?

Yes, both adhesive and static cling films can be installed in humid and moist conditions.
If being installed on a shower door, mounting on the outside of the shower door is recommended.

Can SOLYX® films be installed in heavy traffic areas?

All of our films are very durable, however care still should be taken not to scrape or gouge films.

Can your films be installed on Plexiglas, Polycarbonate or Acrylic?

Yes, most of our films can be installed onto Plexiglas or Polycarbonate sheets. Unlike glass or mirror, Plexiglas expands and contracts by temperature and also emits gasses. This may cause many small air bubbles between glass surface and film as time goes on, causing the film to appear wrinkled or blistered.

These windows have a texture to them, kind of a bumpy hammered type for some privacy. Would I be able to use your film on this type of glass?

No, the surface must be totally flat and smooth, otherwise the film will fail to adhere correctly.

Can I install the film on double pane windows?

All of our films with the exception of SXWF-BO Blackout Film, are safe for installation onto double or triple pane windows, Wire Glass, tempered glass, Plate glass and gas filled windows.

What is the difference between air bubbles and water bubbles?

Air bubbles are caused from improper squeegee technique or not applying enough wetting solution during install. If air is trapped from improper installation, simply peel the film back*, and reinstall following the recommended installation instructions (*Static Cling ONLY).

Water bubbles are pockets of water trapped under the film during installation or that collect after the film is installed and begins to dry. In most cases, these should disappear in 5-7 days from date of install.

What is the curing/dry time after the film has been installed?

Under reasonable weather conditions, film will dry flat with no blisters within 30 days when viewed under normal viewing conditions. Normal viewing conditions are viewing treated windows from a distance of ten feet from the room side, looking at a clear or uniformly overcast sky. Since a particle-free application isn't possible, there may be small amounts of dust or grit caught between the film and glass.

There may also be a small amount of water left behind the film, particularly with the thicker films. Please be patient. Although in most cases this evaporates within 5-7 days, in rare cases this could take up to 90 days for the water to fully evaporate through the film.

How do I remove the clear protective liner from the film?

To separate the liner from SOLYX® films, take two pieces of scotch tape and stick them opposite each other at one corner...then pull these two pieces of tape apart and the liner will separate from the film. The adhesive surface will now be exposed. Wet this adhesive surface. Do not let the film fall upon itself as it will stick if not wet and it will be hard to separate!

How do I work with film that has a tendency to curl?

There is a natural curl to film since it's been rolled up in a box for a period of time. To begin, unroll the film across a clean table and allow for the film to relax.

In the unlikely event that the film is curling up along an edge after installation, wrap your squeegee in a few layers of paper towel and push the film firmly down, beginning several inches away from the edge, moving toward the lifted edge. This will force the air out and enable the film's adhesive/mounting surface to bond to the glass. You may have to repeat this step several times.

If the problem continues, use a hair dryer on the warm (not hot) setting to help the remaining moisture evaporate along the edge so that the film may start to bond. Hold the hair dryer about 8-12 inches away from the affected area while stroking down the edge with the paper towel wrapped squeegee.

How do I clean the film after installation?

We recommend only SimGlas® Window Film Cleaner and microfiber cloth.

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