Guide to Contact Adhesive Spray Systems | Ultrimax Coatings | UK

Written by Andy Potts | June 2022 The Top 4 Wood Coatings Suppliers In The UK

Which Contact Adhesive Spray System Should I Use?

Spray contact adhesive is a versatile glue well-suited for a wide range of DIY projects and industrial applications. Products are available in the form of spray cans or disposable pressurised canisters for use with a spray gun and hose. Which type you use will depend on your application requirements. This article provides a guide to selecting the best kind of spray contact glue for your needs and how to use aerosol and canister products.

CONTENTS:

What is spray contact adhesive?
Spray can products - when to use them, how to use them, and recommended products
Recommended spray can products
When and how to use disposable pressurised canister products
Recommended disposable pressurised canister products

What is spray contact adhesive?

Spray contact glue is a quick-dry adhesive applied onto a surface from a pressurised container as a mist. It is usually sold as a clear, non-yellowing product that can be used on a wide range of substrates. High-temperature resistance and superior bonding strength formulas exist for more demanding projects and professional use.

When to use a spray can contact adhesive

Hand-held aerosol contact adhesives are the go-to product for many non-load-bearing indoor DIY projects and small-scale jobs such as:

Arts and crafts
Repairs to furniture, household appliances, leather or fabric
School projects and scrap-booking - won’t bleed through or wrinkle paper

Suitable surfaces

Hand-held spray can adhesives can be used to bond a multitude of surfaces, including:

Paper & cardboard
Leather
Foam
Fabric
Corkboard
Foil
Glass
Rubber
Wood
Metal
Acrylic
Various plastics

How to use spray can contact adhesive

The application process is fast and straightforward. Most products can be applied using the steps described below, but always check the manufacturer’s technical datasheet (TDS) for full product information and instructions.

STEP 1: Workspace and user preparation

You will need the following before you get started:

A safe, well-ventilated workspace that is:
- Clean and dry
- Free of possible sources of ignition
- At a suitable temperature (refer to the manufacturer’s TDS)
Suitable respiration protection
Latex or nitrile gloves (mot cotton, PVC or nylon)
Surface protection for your work area

STEP 2: Surface preparation

Check that the surfaces to be bonded are:

Are clean, dry and free of any residue (oil, wax, paint, etc.)
Are flat/even
Fit tightly/have plenty of contact

STEP 3: Application

Shake the can vigorously before use.
Apply the spray glue evenly across the surface according to the manufacturer’s instructions. In most cases, spraying on both surfaces will produce a permanent bond and spraying on one surface will create a temporary and correctable bond.

STEP 4: Contact and curing

Wait for the glue to become sticky (refer to product TDS for development times).
Join the parts together, applying firm pressure to achieve a strong bond.
Clamp in place.
Leave to cure for the manufacturer’s stated curing times.

STEP 5: Clean-up

Clean any residue or buildup with turpentine or mineral spirits.
Hold the spray can upside down and press the spray head until only propellant and no more product comes out to prevent valve and tip blockage. Wipe thoroughly with a dry cloth and replace the cap.

Ultrimax Recommended Product

Soudal Contact Adhesive Spray (x 6 cans)

A ready-to-use, quick-drying aerosol contact adhesive that can be used to achieve a temporary or permanent bond.

Buy everything else you need for the job:


Respiration Protection	Nitrile Gloves	Surface Masking Protection

When to use contact adhesive in a disposable pressurised canister

Disposable canisters are easy-to-use, self-contained and time-saving systems that are designed to be used with a suitable hose and spray gun. They are the ideal take-on-site choice for professional trades such as:

Commercial vehicle and trailer installations
Kitchen & furniture manufacture
Joinery applications
Contract flooring and carpet-fitting
Laminating & veneering
Shop-fitting & exhibitions
Re-upholstering

Suitable surfaces

A canister system can be used to bond a multitude of surfaces, including:

Wood, MDF & particleboard
Metal
Concrete
Brickwork, stone & slate
Glass
Decorative laminates
Foam, felt & fabrics
Carpets & carpet tiles
Cardboard
Rubber
Polythene, sheet vinyl & most plastics

How to use a disposable pressurised canister system

Most products can be applied using the steps described below, but always check the manufacturer’s technical datasheet (TDS) for full product information and instructions.

STEP 1: Workspace and user preparation

You will need the following before you get started:

A safe, well-ventilated workspace that is:
- Clean and dry
- Free of possible sources of ignition
- At a suitable temperature (refer to the manufacturer’s TDS)
Suitable respiration protection
Latex or nitrile gloves (mot cotton, PVC or nylon)
Surface protection for your work area

STEP 2: Surface preparation

Check that the surfaces to be bonded are:

Are clean, dry and free of any residue (oil, wax, paint, etc.)
Are flat/even
Fit tightly/have plenty of contact

STEP 3: Connecting the hose and gun

Connect the spray gun to the hose - ensure that the gun’s locking nut is closed.
Connect the other end of the hose to the canister - ensure connections are tight.
Open the valve on the canister.
Open the locking nut on the gun to commence spraying.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Always leave the locking nut on the canister in the open position and use the locking nut on the gun to turn it off.
The valve on the canister should remain open until the canister is empty, locking this valve before then will result in the adhesive drying in the hose and causing blockages.

STEP 4: Application

Spray the adhesive from approximately 40-50cm, holding the spray gun at right angles towards the surface.
Spray evenly in a thin layer, constantly moving across the surface.

STEP 5: Contact and curing

Leave to cure for the manufacturer’s stated curing times. 20-30seconds cure time with full bond achieveed in minutes.

STEP 6: Clean-up

Clean any residue or buildup with turpentine or mineral spirits.
Remove the tip from the gun soak it in any industrial solvent until the adhesive dissolves or softens enough to be peeled off.

Ultrimax Recommended Product

Ultrimax Spray Contact Adhesive (17kg)

Our own-brand canister system is a new-generation synthetic rubber/resin adhesive with high solids/low solvent formula for a quicker, stronger, more aggressive bonding system that outperforms all conventional adhesives.