Crafting with foam boards is fun…!
However, this can also turn into failure and wastage if you don’t attach the sheets firmly. So there comes the need for the best glue for foam sheets for crafting!
With the right adhesive used in the right way, pieces will come out with high precision. You can expect them to last longer since they put an incredibly strong bond that isn’t comprised. Most glue is cured using heat to ensure they create stronger bonds. However, this might depend on the brand and the type you get.
Furthermore, every brand includes different features which you should consider depending on your sealing, repairing, and bonding needs. With that in mind, finding the perfect foam sheet bonding agent can turn out to be a real hassle. Luckily, we’ve stepped in to help you make the best decision with ease.
Here’s a quick round-up table with out top 6 picks:
Image | Name | Our Rating | Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Waterproof Polyurethane Glue for Foam |
5 out of 5 |
Check On Amazon | ||
BSI Clear Slow-Cure Epoxy |
5 out of 5 |
Check On Amazon | ||
Gorilla Waterproof Polyurethane Glue |
5 out of 5 |
Check On Amazon | ||
Gorilla Clear Foam Bonding Adhesive |
5 out of 5 |
Check On Amazon | ||
Gorilla Clear Glue for Foam Sheets |
4.5 out of 5 |
Check On Amazon | ||
BSI Clear Super-Gold Foam Safe Glue |
4.5 out of 5 |
Check On Amazon |
To read about our product selection procedure, visit the “About” page.
6 Best Adhesive for Foam Board Reviews
We conducted thorough market research to bring you some of the top leading products. We’ll review all our and picked items today. Also, we’ve included a buyer’s guide to help you make an informed decision while purchasing an adhesive for foam.
1. Waterproof Polyurethane Brown Glue for Foam
Bonding foam boards together can sometimes be a very tricky process. Moreover, it’s literally difficult to come up with an adhesive that works across several surfaces. But, this Original Gorilla Glue bonds as how the manufacturer claims!
Especially when it comes to attaching foam sheets together, this can be your best bait!
This adhesive is certainly a great product with amazing qualities. It’s completely multi-purpose and has the capability to bind most surfaces together. Unlike most adhesives, you’d have to wet the surface before the application.
Once you’ve wet your surfaces, apply a small amount and secure them together for an hour. When it dries, breaking the bond between the surfaces will indeed be a struggle! This is because it expands three times on the applied surface, thus forming an exceptionally strong bond. Consequently, it’s temperature resistant and creates a stainable secure bond.
You can even sand and paint it when fully intact. In addition, it’s waterproof and does not break down in case it’s exposed to the outdoor elements. All these features clearly indicate that it’s a versatile and multi-purpose product.
It can also be used to bond foam to metal, wood, ceramic, concrete, glass, etc. Indeed, it’s the best adhesive for foam board to concrete repairing projects.
Highlighted Features:
- Waterproof & temperature resistant
- 1 hour curing time
- Versatile
- Long-lasting
- Tough and strong
2. Bob Smith Industries Clear Slow-Cure Epoxy
Foam crafts will be much more pleasing if you have got this BSI-205 slow cure epoxy. It’s an equal 2-part adhesive that forms very strong bonds through the chemical reaction between the hardener and resin.
Additionally, after curing, this epoxy tends to be resistant to many chemicals.
Slow-cure epoxy works best in forming fillets in joints. Moreover, it’s more heat resistant, waterproof, and has higher strength than others. Application of this product should be done in temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, it has the ability to maintain its strength both in the highest and lowest temperatures after curing. You can use this adhesive to bond foam boards together.
And, it penetrates really well both in porous & non-porous surfaces. So that facilitates excellent bonding. You can mix Finish-cure and Slow-cure with fillers like micro balloons to create putty-like consistency. The benefit of using such fillers is that they reduce the bonding time by approximately 25 percent.
You can handle the bonded objects after about 8 hours. However, the cured epoxy attains maximum strength after 24 hours.
The package of this product comes with two 4.5 oz. bottles. And, because of its versatility, this can be used for gluing foam to wood, fiberglass, metal, and more.
Highlighted Features:
- Made in the USA
- Directions are in five languages
- Wide range of application
- 30 minutes working time
- Waterproof
3. Gorilla Waterproof Polyurethane White Glue
Gorilla is a reputable brand in making extremely strong adhesive products. And this White Glue is among their best sellers. It sets and forms permanent bonds in just about 5 to 10 minutes. The package comes included with one 2 fl. oz. bottle.
It’s ideal for most household outdoor and indoor projects since it provides superior strength and versatility. Additionally, it’s 100% waterproof and can withstand various outdoor conditions. As a matter of fact, it expands three times into the surfaces, thus forming an incredibly strong bond.
This white adhesive conveniently bonds foam to wood, stone, ceramic, and metal among others. Another great thing is that it dries 2 times faster than the Original Gorilla. Drying time might vary from 20-30 minutes based on the kind of material you’re using.
It’s also worth noting that it can bond materials through water evaporation. So that means it can be cleaned up conveniently with water.
However, ensure that the surfaces are tight-fitting, clean, and dust-free before the application. You should then dampen one material lightly with water. And the reason is that it’s a polyurethane adhesive that is moisture-activated.
Additionally, ensure that you tightly replace the bottle’s lid after application and store it in a cool and dry place.
Highlighted Features:
- Water-based formula
- Water-resistant and long-lasting
- Fast-drying; dries in about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Forms incredibly strong bonds with most materials
- Versatile application
4. Gorilla Clear Foam Bonding Adhesive
Bonding foam boards together hasn’t been easier but Gorilla has made it! This brand has been making different types of high-quality products for quite some time now. And this Clear Glue is no exception! It’s highly reliable due to its permanent and secure adhesion.
As the name suggests, this adhesive is crystal clear. For the most part, the undeniable advantage is that it leaves a surface looking clean after use.
Moreover, it’s water-resistant and can be used for both outdoor and indoor applications. As a matter of fact, it can stick to various surfaces such as stone, ceramic, glass, wood, and foam. Additionally, it takes less time in comparison to other products.
You can bond foam sheets together within just a few minutes. Added to that, it’s easy to use and sets in about 5 minutes. It’s easier to achieve a fine finish than what’s possible with most others. Another great thing is that it uses high-quality ingredients that make it water-resistant.
Gorilla clear glue comes in a 1.75 oz. container, making it convenient to apply on more intricate and smaller repair projects. Additionally, this adhesive doesn’t spill easily and it isn’t quite messy like most similar products.
If you’re concerned about your kids because of the toxic fumes that ordinary products evaporate, then this can be a life-saver!
Highlighted Features:
- Incredibly strong & convenient to use
- Made in the USA
- Non-foaming and crystal clear
- Fast drying time
- Water-resistant
- Practically bonds everything
5. Gorilla Clear Glue for Foam Sheets
Finding an adhesive product isn’t like a rocket since there are many options in the market. Nonetheless, what can be challenging is finding something that doesn’t leave a messy residue and cures quickly.
If you like clear adhesives that offer the best and durable results with no mess, this is another great deal! This will provide you with an exceptional bond.
It can be used on large, medium, or small projects. The glue comes in a clear form that helps in keeping the surfaces visible. Additionally, it’s easy to apply since you only need to squeeze the bottle to release a small amount of the adhesive.
Once you’ve applied on both materials, expose the pieces to air for a couple of minutes, then join and clasp together. The curing process will have started in about 2 hours, although full curing will be achieved after 24 hours.
One more thing you’ll certainly like about this product is that it isn’t very runny. This prevents creating a mess after application. Besides, the non-foamy feature plays an important role in that aspect.
Finally, this incredible doer is waterproof and not affected by moisture, spills, and dampness. You won’t have to worry about the chemical smell. It comes in a 5.75oz bottle and can be applied on wood, foam, glass, metal, and stone among other surfaces.
Highlighted Features:
- Quick-drying time
- Simple to apply
- Creates strong bonds
- Water-resistant and non-foaming
- Doesn’t have a strong chemical smell
6. BSI-139H Clear Super-Gold Foam Safe Super Glue
Super glues tend to produce fumes that might be irritating to the nose or eye. Although these fumes aren’t toxic, there are some people who are sensitive to such fumes. If you’re such a kind of person, we suggest that you try out this BSI-139H super glue from Bob Smith Industries.
It is odorless and high-performing without producing those irritating fumes. Moreover, Super gold doesn’t fog clear glass and plastic and can be utilized on any foam. That’s why we consider it as the best glue for foam to plastic.
Being a versatile adhesive it can be used on a wide range of materials.
For instance, you can use it on all foams, wood, ceramics, fiberglass, and clear glass. Additionally, it has a thick consistency that tends to dry in about 5 to 15 seconds. This clearly indicates that it has a faster settling rate than most others.
So you won’t have to wait for a long time when bonding materials using this agent.
It also comes in an easy-to-use 1 oz. squeeze bottle which ensures it doesn’t dry out. Similarly, it maintains a strong bond for many days after the seal has been broken. On a similar note, the packaging includes the pin-pointed head.
This enables you to apply on various areas comfortably including hidden or tight spaces.
Highlighted Features:
- 100% foam safe
- Odorless, so non-irritant
- Versatile range of application
- Convenient squeeze bottle
- Dries quickly
Different Types of Glues for Foam Sheets
Each application of foam boards is unique and therefore needs a specific agent. Choosing the type of glue to use on foam depends on the method of application, the overall process, and product requirements.
If you combine these factors appropriately, foam adhesive can impressively enhance efficiency. Different types of adhesives are based on the various chemistries that enable them. Some of the most common types include:
Epoxy Adhesives
This is a particularly strong class of glue that was initially developed for the construction of airplane components. Epoxy glues tend to work well on most surfaces like foam, concrete, glass, and plastic. In addition, the curing of epoxy adhesives virtually includes a chemical reaction between 2 components that are mixed together.
However, gluing with this adhesive can become quite messy since you’ve to add 2 parts to trigger the chemical reaction.
The 1st part of the epoxy glue is the plastic resin which is the body of the glue. On the other hand, the 2nd part is the catalyst that activates resin, thus enhancing its curing and hardening. The performance of certain epoxy glue is dependent on the kind of hardener utilized in activating and curing the resin.
It is usually best to combine the 2 parts equally in order to get proper curing. Nonetheless, you can vary their proportions by about 40% resin and 60% hardener and vice versa. Furthermore, you’ll increase the flexibility of the bond if you increase the proportion of the hardener.
On the other hand, increasing the proportion of the resin more than the hardener’s proportion increases the strength of the bond. However, this renders the glue to be less impact-resistant and more brittle.
Super Glue/ Cyanoacrylate Glue
Cyanoacrylate glues tend to adhere quickly since their curing requires the absence of oxygen and the presence of moisture. Therefore, once you press 2 items with super glue together, you squeeze out oxygen and air moisture sets the adhesive.
However, cyanoacrylate adhesives are only effective in non-porous materials like metal, rubber, ceramics, plastics, and glass.
They quickly form strong and durable bonds, although they’re somewhat brittle. In addition, they’re quite expensive since they don’t have an extremely long shelf life. You’ve probably realized that super glue doesn’t last for long if you don’t close the lid tightly.
This is simply due to the fact that it was exposed to air moisture. You should therefore store these types of adhesives in a dry place and close their lids tightly.
Hot Melt Adhesives
Hot melt adhesives (HMA) are thermoplastic in a sticky form that liquefies when heated. When applied to 2 surfaces, these types adhere once they cool. They’re usually colorless, translucent, amber, tan, or clear.
However, you can find HMAs in colored forms too. Hot-melt glues are particularly popular in bonding foam mattresses.
Moreover, these adhesives are mostly applied using a spray, unless its solid share reduces by about 75% to allow the liquid state. 100% solid HMAs are used to bond foam to different substrates without including any solvents.
Additionally, they cure fast, allow efficient methods of applications, and save both money and time. The only limitation with these adhesives is that they tend to make noises when they’re moved or bent.
Solvent-Based Adhesives
Solvents-based glues form strong bonds on foam using a solvent known as a carrying agent. These types of glues are set after evaporation of the solvent. They are commonly used in bonding foam to foam or to other materials.
Additionally, they can be applied by spraying, beads & dots, or roll coating.
These types of glue are the best where the strength of the bond is required. However, these adhesives are claimed to be dangerous to the environment.
Things to Consider Before Buying Foam Glue
When purchasing the best glue for craft foam sheets, there’re certain factors you should put into consideration. These factors will help you determine the capabilities of a certain brand to meet your needs completely. And they include;
Bonding and Curing Speed
First and foremost, you should consider the speed at which the glue you’re intending to buy bonds. However, you can increase the speed of bonding by using the product in a place with high humidity.
On the other hand, knowing the curing speed of an adhesive helps you optimize the benefits offered by the brand. The working/opening time of the adhesive is the maximum amount of time taken by the product to bind the materials.
Once the open time is completed, the adhesive will have completed the chemical reaction, thus creating the strongest bond. Therefore, this will help you to determine the maximum bond strength offered by the glue.
Ease of Use and Dispensing
Some foam glues like epoxy adhesives involve 2 parts that should be mixed. In this case, you should know how to get accurate mix combinations to make the process simpler.
Additionally, you should consider how easy it is to dispense the adhesive from the bottle or can onto the surface. Most brands come in a patented applicator which enhances precise application, thus enabling you to apply glue accurately.
Curing Process
Some glue requires thermal curing which is fast and takes place at room temperature. But, the heat might damage the surfaces being bonded with the adhesive.
On the other hand, UV curing is done on some glues, but only when the adhesive contains UV-transmitting substrates. However, of these 2 methods, the results of thermal curing are relatively better and it’s faster.
Performance and Finish Appearance
The performance of an adhesive varies depending on various features like bond strength and stress consistency. If an adhesive requires curing, one should have the ability to identify the specific temperature required for effective processing.
Moreover, the best foam glue should leave a soft, clean, and clear surface after each application. This enables you to maintain an aesthetic value for the bonded materials.
FAQs
1. What kind of glue works on Styrofoam?
There are certain adhesives that are specifically designed to be used on Styrofoam. Some of the most common glue types that work on Styrofoam include; spray adhesive, styroglue, basic craft glue, and low-temperature adhesive gun.
2. What glue is best for foam board?
I would suggest, Original Gorilla Glue is the best adhesive for foam boards and it’s available in most stores. It comes in various colors that you can either roll or brush on both surfaces to be bonded. Let the surfaces dry out for approximately 5 minutes and then stick the sheets together.
3. How do you cut polystyrene?
Cutting Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) can be quite challenging since it breaks easily, causing uneven edges. Therefore, you’ve to select the right tool so as to cut polystyrene into smooth and even edges. You can either cut polystyrene manually with box cutters, knives, or cookie cutters. However, for a more finished and smoother look, use an electric knife or a wire cutter.
4. Will foam glue work on fabric?
Yes, foam glue certainly works on fabric. However, read the manufacturer’s note to ensure the product can be used on the yarn without damage. The best practice would be to use the best glue for foam to fabric that’s recommended for the purpose.
5. What is Styrofoam Made of?
Styrofoam is also known as EPS (Expanded Polystyrene foam) and it’s made from polystyrene. This is the plastic that is mostly used in making clear products such as lab equipment or food packaging. EPS is actually made up of about 95% air. Moreover, it’s so lightweight and it’s used to make floating products like life jackets and rafts.
6. Can I Use a Glue Gun on Styrofoam?
Definitely! But only low-temperature glue guns! Hot glue guns have the ability of bonding Styrofoam to various kinds of surfaces too. However, the heat might damage Styrofoam if it comes into contact with it, thus causing accidental deformations and other complications. Alternatively, the contact between hot gun and Styrofoam might produce harmful fumes.
7. How Do You Glue Foam Insulation Together?
Choose an adhesive that is designed to be specifically used for foam applications. Wait until the adhesive on the existing foam insulation layer has dried overnight.
Cut a portion of the foam insulation and squeeze beads of the glue on the insulation in a zigzag pattern. Apply an adhesive on the bother panel and ensure it overlaps the seams in the 1st insulation layer. Then put pressure on the panel and butt it against the installed panel.