Keys to Using Adhesives Successfully

• STEP 1: Clean Your Surfaces. Absolutely, positively, clean your surfaces. If possible, use either isopropyl alcohol or acetone, depending on the material. We cannot stress this enough. Also, abrading the surface (roughening it up with sandpaper or chemicals) will often help on surfaces with an oxidized layer (e.g. metals, rubber). See our Surface Prep Guide.
• STEP 2: Select the Right Adhesive. Every adhesive has advantages and disadvantages, which we detail in How to Select the Right Adhesive. By the way, did we mention that you should clean your surfaces?! Try our Adhesive Finder to ease your selection.
• STEP 3: Follow the Application Directions. Each adhesive works differently. For example, Contact Adhesives should be applied to both surfaces and allowed to get tacky before use. Epoxies, Urethanes and Methacrylates come in two parts that need to be mixed together. See our Directions for Use, such as How to Use Epoxies.

If you follow these three easy steps, you will always have success with your adhesives!