Looking for strong flexible glue or epoxy

Lunal_Tic

Flashlight Enthusiast
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Jul 29, 2004
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I'm looking for strong flexible glue or epoxy to affix Velcro inside of a few of my messenger bags. Some of them are Cordura and some a PVC/polypropylene type material. I'm thinking about mounting small lights in the bags that can be used to light up the interior like I've seen elsewhere. Another idea is to Velcro a light holster to one end to keep a standard sized light upright and easier to access.

I've tried the adhesive backed Velcro and it doesn't work well. Regular rubber cement peels off the slick finish of the PVC material so I need something else. Any ideas on what would work?

TIA,
-LT
 
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You might try hot-glue. It would be easy and cheap to try. I had a backpack strap rip at the top and I didn't want the hassle of sewing it back in place, so I tried hot-glue and its been holding since I did it a few weeks ago. It was canvas type material.
 
If I have to patch some clothes at work I use stuff called speed sew, works great for bonding fabrics, and you can even throw it in in the washer.
 
A marine polyurethane rubber, like Sikaflex, or 3M's 5200. They'll take a few days to cure. That black stuff they use for wetsuit repairs might also work well, especially if you rub it into the cordura as it is less viscous than the polyurethane rubbers.
 
Barge Cement or neophreme glue. Barge cement was originally developed for shoemakers. It is also used by leather crafters. Neophreme glue was also used by shoemakers, but can some times be found in sewing supply stores labeled as Velcro glue. HTH
 
The heat seam tape I have used with no luck, as well as super glue and a hot glue gun (on cordura). I think you are going to have a heck of a time with the cordura one, short of sewing it. You can get a cheap sewing awl with thread and stitch it by hand for about 3$.

The poly one's, I would imagine you will have more luck with the glue. I agree with allthumbs suggestions. In addition to that I might try Shoe-Goo which is probably the same thing, or E6000 which is an industrial adhesive I really like.

There is another type of tape called fusible web that I have seen my wife use. It is essentially an iron on glue tape. I think it has to sink into the pores of the cloth, so probably won't work on non-porous fabrics like rubber. You should be able to get it at a cloth store. If you find one that works, let me know, would ya?
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm going to try and get to the equivalent of a Home Depot over here soon to see what they've got. I wonder how you translate "Shoe-Goo" into Japanese. :D

Hand sewing might be an option for the Cordura if I wasn't having to work inside such restricted space.

-LT
 
I did this very thing, in 2006.


Used E6000 adhesive.


It was sloppy. :eek:

(or perhaps i should say: " I was sloppy. " :)



But it has held up Great.


This certainly oughta' do the job for you.

_
 
I once used SheGoo (with gauze out of the first aid kit) to patch an old leak in a raft on a commercial river trip through the Grand Canyon. Where previous patches had soon failed, this one held througout the rest of the trip, the entire season, and the next couple of seasons. Good adhesion and very tough! E6000 is essentially the same product.
 
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Seriously do yourself a favor.....

Go to your nearest good hobby shop and get some
Flash Black

It is a rubber rienforced super glue tough as nails it has even replaced epoxie in my knife making for attaching handles

This stuff is amazing fills gaps is flexible waterproof tough as heck it will permanately bond splintered carbon fiber on my rc helicopters tail boom without being brittle like regular super glue
I have used it to permanately replace velcro as you have done
Heck Ive even used it to repair leather belts when the stiching gives out....
Even use it when making knife sheaths leather or kydex


Just be carefull alot goes a long ways and you WILL glue your hands to the item if you arent carefull


later
 
That E6000 sound great as well :)

Burgess -did you mean you have had something stuck with it since 2006? Amazing.

Cheers
Dom
 
How do you think they did it before machines?
They sewed by hand...

You can use dental floss and any needle that has an eye that's large enough. If desired, you can apply glue, epoxy, silicon rubber or whatever you can get your hands on to make it waterproof if you think it's necessary.
 
It seems to me expoxy is too stiff for a messenger bag and I think you need some flexibility and tenacious holding power.

I have two suggestions: Lexel or Marine Goo. Both will allow your bag to bend and your velcro will not delaminate.
 
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