How to Glue Plexiglass Together

Updated 3/8/2023

Gluing Plexiglass can sometimes be frustrating because of the difficulties that can arise, especially if you’re a beginner.

We’ll teach you how to glue Plexiglass together the right way to save you time and stress!

What You’ll Need:

  1. Exhaust fan
  2. Safety gloves
  3. Goggles
  4. Facemask
  5. Acrylic glue and adhesive tape
  6. Applicator bottle
  7. Suitable surface
  8. Alcohol

How to Glue Plexiglass Together (The Right Way)

A few differences exist between gluing acrylic and other materials, such as wood or paper. If you’re looking for anything more than glue, acrylic cement is your best bet.

The procedure may be pretty straightforward if you’re careful, methodical, and patient.

Here’s how to glue Plexiglass together!

Step 1: Find a Suitable Place to Work

Make sure you’re in a well-ventilated place before you begin working with glue that may produce fumes. For example, working in the open air or with several windows.

Place your workspace in between windows and an open entryway. Box fans that direct the air away from you are also an excellent idea.

Another option is to use an exhaust fan in the room.

Step 2: Ensure That You Take the Necessary Precautions

This procedure includes wearing gloves, safety goggles, and a facemask.

Apart from protecting yourself from acrylic cement fumes, it would be best to watch out for any sanding or cutting debris that might go into your mouth, nose, or eyes.

Also, carefully follow the instructions on the acrylic cement to avoid any mistakes.

Step 3: Find a Suitable Surface to Work 

Be sure that the surface area you’re employing is suitable with acrylic cement if you want to glue in a garage, workroom, or even your kitchen.

Keep to a metal, concrete, or wood surface if you can. Acrylic should never adhere to a glass or paper surface.

Step 4: Take a Look at the Acrylic Edges

Check that the acrylic’s edges are smooth and free of cuts or bumps before attaching the pieces.

Acrylic glue will not cling to wood or paper-like regular glue or seep into cracks and fissures.

As a result, they must be as flat as possible to prevent the acrylic from softening and forming a chemical link with each other.

Make sure the edges are precisely smooth and square using routers or light sandpaper. While sanding the edges to make them round is okay, avoid doing so.

A highly smooth surface is difficult to join; therefore, make sure the surfaces are bonded together, sanded gently, and not shining.

Step 5: Use Alcohol to Disinfect the Acrylic

You may use alcohol and a clean cloth to wipe the acrylic once you’ve sanded and smoothed it.

To ensure that all dust, debris, and other particles are eliminated, use alcohol.

It will also eliminate any oils from your hands that can hinder the gluing process. All of your surfaces must be dust-free before you begin.

Step 6: Prepare the Acrylic Glue

Solvent-based acrylic glues like Weld-On 4 are the most frequently used glue for gluing Plexiglass.

Additionally, you should include a needle and an applicator bottle with this adhesive. Fill the applicator bottle to roughly seventy-five percent capacity using a funnel.

Once the bottle has been completed, gently squeeze the bottle to let some of the air out of the bottle.

Step 7: Put the Acrylic Parts Together

Assemble the acrylic pieces into the desired configuration. You should form a 90-degree angle between them.

You can then use a combination square to ensure the pieces are appropriately angled.

After being put up, you may either use your hands or a clamp to keep the portions together.

Before applying any adhesive, always perform a dry run to ensure all components fit together.

You can use adhesive tape to build the item. You may apply the glue precisely and without fuss to avoid juggling the pieces.

Step 8: Apply Glue by Positioning the Applicator Bottle

Place the needle just above the point where the pieces of the acrylic encounter when the bottle is upside-down.

Using a little pressure, squeeze the bottle along the joint lines.

You’ll want to bring the bottle closer to your face. As you move the acrylic cement, it should fill in any gaps or seams that may be present.

You may avoid over-gluing the acrylic by squeezing the bottle and moving it without pausing.

Apply the acrylic glue to the inner edge of the sheeting if you are gluing for a box corner junction.

Apply the cement on both sides of the sheets if you are gluing for flat joins.

Acrylic cement should not contact any parts of the acrylic that you do not wish to be cemented.

Acrylic cement irreversibly damages a lot of surfaces it comes into contact with. Allow the acrylic cement to evaporate if you drop it onto the acrylic. Do not try to remove it.

Step 9: Let the Acrylic Cement Dry

The first setting time for most acrylic cement is between 10 and 15 minutes. Using a clamp or your hands, you may keep the edges together while this process occurs.

They should be ready to use within 24-48 hours after being firmly attached.

Acrylic cement that has cured and is transparent indicates that the components have been properly attached.

The acrylic should have appeared hazy white before this point.

Step 10: Trim The Acrylic

You may use a router to remove extra or overlapping acrylic pieces.

On the other hand, you should avoid excessive heat generation since it might melt the acrylic.

Before altering the acrylic, ensure it is well set and that the Plexiglass isn’t scratched.

What Is the Best Glue for Plexiglass?

In addition to connecting Plexiglass to itself, SCIGRIP glue may be used to bond different plastics to Plexiglass or Lexan.

It is designed for industrial-grade acrylics and can be purchased online or at your local hardware/home improvement store.

SCIGRIP 16 Acrylic Cement, Low-VOC, Medium bodied, 1 Pint Can with Screw-on Cap, Clear
  • High-strength solvent cement for bonding acrylic
  • Fast setting with a working time of 5 – 6 minutes
  • Low VOC content
  • Bonds rigid PVC, ABS, styrene, butyrate, polycarbonate to themselves and each other, as well as other plastics and porous surfaces
  • Available in a variety of sizes to suit your style

Does Gorilla Glue Work on Plexiglass?

Because Gorilla Glue is activated by moisture, and Plexiglass is not permeable, Gorilla Glue is not ideal for Plexiglass.

Can You Use Silicone on Plexiglass?

Silicone does not adhere to Plexiglass. In the long run, any silicone used to hold plastic together will break down and become useless.

Can You Use PVC Glue on Plexiglass?

PVC glue will not work on Plexiglass. You’ll need to use acrylic cement.

Wrapping it Up

We hope our detailed guide on how to glue Plexiglass together was worth your while! Although it might seem difficult, if you follow the steps above and work carefully, gluing Plexiglass should be no problem.

Until next time, readers!

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