FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Glue for P.E.T. plastic?

Danno | Posted in General Discussion on March 31, 2007 08:32am

I am tring to glue lattice dividers and it looks like they are made out of recycled milk jug plastic (PET–can’t remember what that stands for, but really doesn’t matter). I’ve tried Liquid Nails construction adhesive and I’ve tried my favorite, Lexel. The Liquid Nails held slightly, but the squeeze-out could easily be peeled off, so figured for long term gluing it wasn’t working. I was surprised that the Lexel was even worse–held hardly at all (and I sanded the shine off the pieces before gluing). I just tried Loc-Tite Power Grab and haven’t checked it yet.

The &^*% labels they put on each piece are on there forever, unless you use Goo-Gone or similar to take them off–wish I knew what adhesive is on the back of those labels!

So far, the adhesives have held long enough to position the slats so I can flip the board over and put screws in from the back of a 1×4 board into the plastic (using them as seat slats on a bench, so they can’t be coming loose in a couple days and they’ll be getting some pressure to pull them off). Glue that actually held though would give added security. Now I’m using so many screws the board is threatening to split. Next time (if there is a next time) I’ll just use splintery cedar (which is far cheaper anyway) and let the sitter beware!

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. BillBrennen | Mar 31, 2007 09:05pm | #1

    Danno,

    Milk jugs are PE, or polyethylene, which is nearly impossible to glue to. PET (aka PETE) is the clear stuff of soda bottles. Goop brand adhesive (comes in squeeze tubes about 5 oz.) will stick to PE. Thermal welding also works.

    Bill

    1. Danno | Mar 31, 2007 10:11pm | #3

      Thank you--I came real close to buying Goop, but thought Lexan was so similar I'd just try it. Monday I'll buy some GOOP and try it--I've pretty much screwed everything down now, but may loosen some and try the Goop--but I suppose the area is so contaminated with the old adhesive nothing will work now! (I'm not taking it all apart to clean the old adhesive off--maybe just where it'll get the most abuse.) The back shouldn't get much force on it, but with the seat I may try re-gluing--though with the seat I used two screws at each end of each slat. Unless Bertha Butt plunks herself down, should be okay!

      I'm concerned that vandals will stub out cigarettes on it (and slats are about $7 each), but wood wouldn't be a heck of a lot better in that case. The other thing is that sun may make the stuff too pliable--sit down and have the slats mold themselves to your rear end! Maybe then I could market it as "memory" seat--if it doesn't remember, your seat will (sitting on melting plastic would tend to do that!).

      About half way through this project I'm saying to myself--"Why did you have to be innovative and try something weird? Why didn't you just use wood?" But since other artists are using everything from concrete to stained glass, I figured I'd better try something different!

      1. User avater
        Luka | Apr 01, 2007 12:46am | #4

        I'm not sure what plastic the windshield wiper water tanks are made from, on cars...But I have used marine goop to fix cracks in those babies, and it works great.Sand the area down really well first. Then clean off with something like alcohol, which will leave no residue. (I used brake cleaner, on a rag, and wiped it down. Don't spray the brake cleaner on the plastic.)I thought lexel, (lexan is a plastic.), was pretty much the same stuff, as well. Glad I didn't try that first and then just give up.In afterthought, I have to wonder if the brake cleaner also had something to do with prepping the surface to accept the goop, more than the plastic normally would have.

        Hey, don't look at me, I'm mentally retireded.

        1. BillBrennen | Apr 01, 2007 01:54am | #5

          Luka,Those wiper fluid tanks are HDPE, just like milk jugs, only thicker walls. High Density PolyEthylene.I haven't used Lexel in awhile, but the smell is wicked, and quite different from the Goop product, which suggests to me a different chemical composition.Bill

          1. User avater
            Luka | Apr 01, 2007 02:57am | #6

            Yup, seems like the same plastic. I'd noticed, and thought that was the case, but wasn't positive.The marine goop and lexel actually look AND smell the same to me. That's why I thought they were pretty much the same.The only real differences in the end result, (when cured.), that I can see, are that the goop is more rubbery, and is also more cloudy.Ok, I searched the MSDS sheets...The major ingredients in both are naptha and toluene. Looks like the percentages may be reversed. But that is the first two major ingredients in both.

            Hey, don't look at me, I'm mentally retireded.

    2. User avater
      talkingdog | Apr 01, 2007 07:21am | #7

      While we are at it, I am going to be working with
      twin wall polycarbonate on the next project. Is there
      a recommended adhesive for polycarbonate? And what's
      the best sort of blade for cutting the stuff?Likewise, on the same project, we are looking into
      something called "PEP" (3-Form Struttura), which is a
      clear plastic structural panel. Any information on PEP
      plastic?

      1. BillBrennen | Apr 01, 2007 07:35am | #8

        TD,Weld-On make a line of thin and thicker solvent cements. Here is a retailer link. http://www.oceanproaquatics.com/shop/product_info.php/products_id/2105Those other panels sound like they are also polycarbonate. Check with the manufacturer.Bill

  2. junkhound | Mar 31, 2007 10:05pm | #2

    Thermal welding also works

    What Bill said - hot glue guns are a cheap thermal welder!

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Guest Suite With a Garden House

This 654-sq.-ft. ADU combines vaulted ceilings, reclaimed materials, and efficient design, offering a flexible guest suite and home office above a new garage.

Featured Video

Micro-Adjust Deck-Baluster Spacing for an Eye-Deceiving Layout

No math, no measuring—just a simple jig made from an elastic band is all you need to lay out a good-looking deck railing.

Related Stories

  • Old House Air-Sealing Basics
  • A Drip-Free, Through-Window Heat Pump
  • Insulation for Homes in the Wildland Urban Interface
  • An Impressive Air-to-Water Heat Pump

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Old House Journal – August 2025
    • Designing the Perfect Garden Gate
    • Old House Air-Sealing Basics
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data