How to Paste Styrofoam

Use basic craft glue for simple needs. For simple arts and crafts projects, for example, the easiest way to glue Styrofoam is to use regular milk glue. This basic glue is quite effective for many uses, especially for gluing Styrofoam to construction paper, cardboard and wood. It’s usually the cheapest and most accessible option, perfect for simple projects.

• Milk glue (the kind used by students), such as Elmer’s, is safe, non-toxic and environmentally friendly. However, it is quite liquid and easy to stain.
• Clear glue like Eileen’s is thicker and less sticky.
• Note that milk glue is cheap and unstable, not as strong or durable as expensive specialty glues, so it should not be used on projects where Styrofoam is subject to pressure (like Styrofoam Styrofoam slides). , etc.).
• Since it is in liquid form, milk glue is best suited for gluing large blocks of Styrofoam together.

Use Styrofoam glue. Believe it or not, some glues are made specifically for Styrofoam. This glue is sometimes named “Styrofoam”, which is quite cheap but harder to find than the glue used by students. Usually Styrofoam is sold at convenience stores or arts and crafts stores.

• If you are going to buy Styrofoam glue, you should check the label before you buy. Some Styrofoam adhesives are made specifically for Styrofoam, while others can be used to bond Styrofoam to other materials.

Use spray glue. Spray glue (sold at hardware stores for about $10/bottle in the US) is a quick and convenient solution for gluing Styrofoam. Additionally, because spray adhesives are often made for a variety of uses, they are also effective on a wide range of materials. For example, a cheap all-purpose spray is labeled as able to bond foam sheets to metal, plastic, paper, and wood. ^[2]

• Consider testing the glue on an inconspicuous spot first. If the glue bottle doesn’t say it’s safe to use on Styrofoam, you should check first. Some products in aerosol cans, such as spray paint, can melt or dissolve Styrofoam.
• Since spray glue is usually a slow-drying glue, it is best used for gluing large blocks of Styrofoam together. You should not use spray glue to glue two Styrofoam balls.

Use a low temperature hot glue gun. A regular glue gun can certainly be used to glue Styrofoam to a variety of materials such as paper, cardboard, wood and so on. However, when using a hot glue gun with Styrofoam, the lower the temperature the better. . Glue gun with high temperature can burn or melt Styrofoam and generate toxic fumes.

• Because of its high accuracy, the glue gun is suitable for gluing together small objects made of Styrofoam. The glue gun is also suitable for gluing Styrofoam balls.
• Although the smoke produced by the Styrofoam burning can’t hurt you right away, it shouldn’t be taken lightly because the smoke contains many harmful chemicals. Those chemicals include styrene and benzene, which are suspected carcinogens. ^[3]

Don’t use designer glue for a specific material. When it comes to gluing Styrofoam, you should generally avoid glues specifically designed for certain non-Styrofoam materials (e.g., wood glue, fabric, epoxy construction adhesives, etc.). While some of these glues can apply Styrofoam, most are no more effective than cheap craft glues and would be a waste. In addition, some specialized glues can dissolve Styrofoam and other plastics (see below).

Do not use glue containing solvents to dissolve the plastic. Because Styrofoam foam is quite light and weak, people often forget that Styrofoam is also a plastic product. Essentially, Styrofoam is a “porous” plastic – that is, the plastic is mixed with the air and results in a reduced weight. Since Styrofoam is plastic-based, you need to avoid any glue that contains solvents that can dissolve the plastic. This glue can corrode Styrofoam, create a mess and ruin your work.

• For example, vulcanized rubber glue, a fairly strong and flexible glue, often contains both alcohol and acetone. Acetone, the active ingredient in nail polish remover, can dissolve many resins so it won’t work for Styrofoam. However, some acetone-free vulcanized rubber sealants may be suitable for Styrofoam.

Clean and treat surfaces. Styrofoam is a fairly easy material to deal with once you’ve found the right glue – all you need to do is apply glue to Styrofoam, stick it on something else and wait for it to dry. However, before gluing, you should use a dry rag to wipe away dirt on the surfaces. Sticking on dirty or dusty surfaces can reduce the bond of the glue, resulting in weak adhesion.

• If you are going to glue Styrofoam to a surface with “many crevices” (such as a piece of wood with many surface defects), the actual adhesive force of the glue may be reduced. ^[4] In this case, sanding is recommended to make the surface smoother and flatter – try 200 grit or higher.

Glue. When you’re ready, you can apply glue to the Styrofoam. For the strongest adhesive force, you should apply a thin and even layer of glue over the entire surface. If you do not need too strong adhesive force, you can dot or wipe a line of glue.

• If the Styrofoam sheet to be glued is very large, you should pour glue into a tray and use a brush to apply the glue. This will help you apply the glue quickly and evenly, preventing the glue from drying out while you are scanning.
• If the item to be glued is small, consider using a glue stick or a hot glue gun.
• If you use a hot glue gun, you must act quickly. The glue will dry in just a few minutes.
• Consider using a toothpick to reinforce the balls with Styrofoam. If you want to stick two Styrofoam balls together, you should stick a toothpick in them. The toothpick will help “hold” the two marbles together. Round objects always have a smaller surface area than flat objects.

Start gluing Styrofoam. When ready, you press the foam sheet to another surface to be glued. Apply gentle pressure with your hand to ensure that all glue is in contact with the remaining surface. Depending on the type and amount of glue used, you usually have at least a minute to adjust the position of the Styrofoam sheet.

• For stronger adhesion, you should apply a little more glue around the edge of the foam sheet where it comes in contact with the other surface. Do not apply more glue than necessary to create a thin layer, as this will only prolong the drying time.

Wait for the glue to dry. What you need to do next is sit back and wait. Depending on the size of the object to be glued, the type and amount of glue used, the drying time can vary from a few minutes to several hours. Do not touch the glued object while the glue dries, or you will have to reapply the glue and start the process again. If necessary, you should use hard objects (such as books, boxes, etc.) to support or keep objects in place while waiting for the glue to dry.

• Hot glue will dry faster in colder weather.
• Some glues take a long time to dry, especially when the weather is very cold or wet.