Applicator for solvent-based contact adhesive

[ScottEnglish]

Hello.

Other than brushes what can be used to apply solvent-based contact adhesive to leather and other materials? I'm considering a cheap silicone spatula as an alternative to a brush. Has anyone tried this?

Thanks.

Scott

[Hags]

I use a silicone applicator for glue. I think I got it at tandy.  It was a 2 pack,  large and small.The small one worked fine but tore after a while. The large was just too big, so I cut it down and this is doing well.

[tsunkasapa]

I use plastic "disposable' putty knives. Get them at any hardware store. When done, let adhesive cure and rub off with an eraser.

Homax 1-1/2 in. Putty Knife-00015 - The Home Depot

Edited December 16, 2021 by tsunkasapa

[Matt S]

Hi Scott, I usually use a brush (either a flux brush for precise applications or the the ones that come with my glue pots) but have used old credit type cards for spreading over large areas, or just scraps of leather. I tried a silicone pastry brush once but it was too floppy. Those glue spreaders that kids use in school didn't work for me. You can get something that looks a bit like one of those old oil cans that's made of metal and has a pump on the side. They normally have a brush on the tip but one of our members modded his for a needle applicator.

If you're intending to make clean-up easier the TS boy glue pots are pretty good, cos you keep the brush in the glue so it doesn't dry out. I have a mayonnaise jar full of thinners that I keep brushes in. When the one in the glue pot gets a bit too claggy for neat work, or at the end of the day, I swap it with one in the pot. This also puts a little bit of solvent in the glue pot which compensates for the angel's share if I've not refilled the pot that day.

These are the pots I use. They're pretty universal in the leather trades, including shoemakers and cobblers. I use the smallest size. If I'm doing a full production day (about 25SQFT of leather back-to-back, single coat) I'll have to fill it 2-3 times. Solvent glue will keep usable in one of these for about a half week before you need to add thinners and leave it overnight.
https://www.abbeyengland.com/glue-pot-d160

[bland]

I have used all kinds of stuff.  Sheep skin, felt pads, paint brushes, flux brushes... What I have found works the best for me is a squeeze bottle and a plastic putty knife.  The solvent will slowly eat the plastic putty knife but they are cheap.  

[ScottEnglish]

Hags, tsunkasapa, Matt S, and bland, thanks for your replies. In view of your experiences, I've just ordered a silicone spatula from eBay.

Matt S: Adding solvent. Now there's an idea! I may try a glue pot in the future.

Bye.

Scott

[fredk]

For contact glue out of tin I use a 1 inch wide metal paint scraper/wall paper scraper. I also use a lot of UHU glue in a tube on small areas, it doesn't need any spreading around

[ScottEnglish]

Thanks fredk. Sounds a good idea.

Scott

[Dwight]

I buy small disposable brushes . . . from Harbor freight . . . they have a metal handle . . . small bristle brush . . . I think they are called acid brushes.

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-horsehair-bristle-acid-shop-brushes-36-pc-61880.html

At a dime apiece . . . they will last a couple to 5 days . . . then get tossed . . . used mainly for belts, holsters, and knife sheaths.

Just won't mess with anything else . . . this works that good.

May God bless,

Dwight

[HaloJones]

For solvents could you use a glass spatula as found in chemistry labs & hi end kitchens? 

[tsunkasapa]

2 hours ago, HaloJones said:

For solvents could you use a glass spatula as found in chemistry labs & hi end kitchens? 

You COULD, but why would one spend the money? At $.58 each, use them a few times and throw them away, as opposed to $$$

[fredk]

15 hours ago, Dwight said:

I buy small disposable brushes . . . from Harbor freight . . . they have a metal handle . . . small bristle brush . . . I think they are called acid brushes.

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-horsehair-bristle-acid-shop-brushes-36-pc-61880.html

At a dime apiece . . . they will last a couple to 5 days . . . then get tossed . . . used mainly for belts, holsters, and knife sheaths.

I used to use those type. Used to get them 6 for £1 but now their price has rocketed up to £1.25 each! If I need a brush I buy and use children's chunky paint brushes, 4 for £1 or less if I buy more

 

[fredk]

An alternative to having spread contact glue over large-ish areas, consider spray glue. We can get tins of spray adhesive in the £ shop

[fredk]

On 12/15/2021 at 11:08 PM, ScottEnglish said:

. . .  I'm considering a cheap silicone spatula as an alternative to a brush. Has anyone tried this?

Thats not a bad idea really. You can get silicone spatulas in the £ shop. Its worth a squid to try it. Probably work ok on thin glue but not on the thicker type

I realised there are different shaped paint scrapers. I use one that looks like this;

I got it in Home Bargains for under £2. The blade end is sharp for scraping but I filed some very light grooves in to the end, parallel with the sides, to help spread the glue, other wise the blade just scrapes the glue right off again

[AzShooter]

I bought a pack of the rubber spatulas from Tandy and they have worked real well.  They aren't that wide so a larger one my work out better for you.    I really like the looks of the Putty Knife from Home Depot and will be getting one to try.