Gluing Foam To Foam

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I have noticed in some videos on YouTube that some builders are using Elmers wood glue to glue the pink foam to it self to do their scenery build up. I thought that in order for wood glue to work well the surface needed to be some what porous?

So would it be safe to glue foam to foam with wood glue?

Thanks

Duane

2

Duane:

I have glued foam to foam with white Elmers glue, yellow carpenters glue, latex caulking compound, and Lepages no more nails.

They all work well, with no problems.

NO NOT use contact cement, it eats foam. I know.

Dave

3

I have successfully used Elmers white glue to build up a foam structure, but it does take a loooong time for the glue in the middle to dry. If you are going to carve deep into the foam, wait a day (or so) before you begin.

4

LIONS use sillycone cauk for EVERYTHING!

ROAR

5

I used dap dynaflex 230 to do my mountains. It worked great

6

Ken Patterson (What’s Neat This Week) does a foam to foam gluing test in this video. The test starts at 14:38.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZQLxQth5UI

7

I use Loc-tite foam to foam adhesive only. It will take at least 24 hours to set and a little longer if it is in the center, but it will set completely. Heard of one club using white glue and when they made changes to the layout only the glue at the edges had set. In the center it was still liquid, and this after 10 years! Wood glue needs air to set and wood breathes, foam does not. Use a glue made for your application. I have foud that wood glue wouldn’t set after a week, but 10 years, I’ll believe it. [2c]

8

Latex caulk, specially made glues for foam, or even old fashioned hot glue would work better. (And, in that order for a reason. Best to worst, whole list would be caulk, foam glues, hot glue, wood glue, Elmer’s white glue.)

I’ve also seen where some have used the spray can style foam to do things such as this, and to fill in wiring channels… But it is a little messy.

Note: I have before used liquid nails for projects adhesive on foam, it did work satisfactorily enough for gentle shaping.

But, do not attempt to use the liquid nails projects one on the bead style foam, or the cheap foam from the crafts departments at craft stores… White or green. It melts… Pink or blue insulation style foam only.

9

I hust got all my foam cut and glued and weighted down. How long should I wait to start working again?

Thank You

Duane

10

Overnight.

Dave

11
12

So what adhesive did you decide to use?

13

Carl

I used PL-300 foam glue to get glued down, and with that it’s time for me to celebrate. I NOW HAVE THE BENCHWORK DONE!!! YIPPIE!! Now lets lay some track.

Thank you all for the information and help you have given me it speeded things up a bit. I am hoping to get some trackside photos some day into Model Roader Magazine.

I will take some pics of what I have and post them up soon.

LaterDuane