Does E6000 Work On Plastic (How To Use It)

E6000 is a formidable and versatile industrial glue used to bond a wide range of materials. It combines the bonding strength of regular glues with its own unique characteristics to provide strong adherence, and that is why craft men and DIYers love it. If you’re thinking about using E6000 for your plastic project, you may be wondering – does E6000 work on Plastic? 

E6000 can be used on a wide variety of surfaces, including plastic. It provides a firm grab and creates a tough bond when used on certain types of plastic. However, it won’t work on all plastics.

This article will answer questions relating to E6000 glue and what to expect when using it for your plastic project.

What is E6000 Made of?

Being a synthetic adhesive, E6000 is made from tetrachloroethylene and other hydrocarbons and acids. This yields a waterproof, rubber-based, and stretchy adhesive that will not wear out when washed in soap and water. 

However, bear in mind that you would have to wait for up to 72 hours for this glue to fully dry and cure.

The glue is available in three colors – white, black, and colorless. The colorless option dries clear and is an excellent choice for bonding suitable plastics. It provides a tough finish and will not break down if the weather gets too cold or hot.

Does E6000 Work On Plastic?

Yes, E6000 works on plastic but not all plastic. It’s well-known for its flexibility, strength, and versatility. 

Specifically, E6000 is not recommended for polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene plastics. This is because these plastics have inert surfaces and are hard to bond. So when you apply E6000 to them, instead of bonding them, it will partially melt them, causing the adhesion to fail. 

On the other hand, the glue is great for plastics such as polyvinyl, polycarbonate, and acrylic.

Is E6000 Safe to Use On plastic?

When choosing the glues for your projects, safety is a very important aspect that you must consider. While some glues might be fit for your project, they might be toxic. So you want a glue that is both safe for you, your kids, and your pets and also provides a nice bonding. Unfortunately, E6000 does not meet these requirements.

E6000 is considerably safe to use on some plastics, such as polyvinyl and acrylics. Ensure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and wear your protective gear.

This is because the glue contains toxins, which you should not inhale because it can cause dizziness and fainting. Therefore, you should wear a mask while working with it. 

In addition, the glue can irritate the skin and cause redness, so you should be fully geared up while working. Wear your eye goggles, and protect your face.

If tetrachloroethylene and perchloroethylene, the active ingredients of E6000, get to the brain, they can affect the central nervous system to malfunction and may reduce nervous coordination. The glue has also been found to be carcinogenic when tested on animals. 

Thus, no quantity of E6000 is safe for swallowing. Also, keep it far away from your pets and children when not in use. 

How To Use E6000 Glue On Plastic

E6000 is very versatile and can be used for a wide variety of projects. However, you need to be careful with it as things can get quite messy. The glue can seal around the cap if you don’t clean it properly after use. Also, it’s toxic and has a long curing time. 

Be sure to follow the guidelines on the label on how to use the glue. Here are the steps usually involved:

Choose Your Workspace

Besides being toxic, E6000 has a pungent smell. It’s something you don’t want to inhale for long. So, choose a well-ventilated space to work. And before you start working, make sure you have all your protective gear on. This includes a respiratory mask, gloves, and proper clothing (an overall would be great). 

Prepare the Surface

Before opening your E6000 glue, make sure that the plastic surface is neat and dry. Remove any speck of dust or oil, as this can weaken the bond. If the plastic surface is extremely smooth, consider roughening it a bit using sandpaper.

Open the Glue 

If you are using E6000 for the first time, it usually has a seal which you will notice after removing the cap. You can use a small needle to puncture the seal. Make sure to keep the cap within arm’s length because the glue can get messy and run over when you first open it. So you should keep the cover close to cover it quickly after use to avoid unnecessary spillage. 

Apply The Glue

You can apply the glue directly from the nozzle, but this is usually less precise. Otherwise, pour a small quantity on a piece of paper and apply dabs of the glue on the plastic surface with the paper. Attach the surfaces together and allow to dry.

Allow For 72 Hours to Dry

E6000 starts to dry only 30 minutes after application, but it may take around 24 to 72 hours to cure. The eventual curing time will depend on the amount of glue you applied to the surface, the weather conditions of your environment, and the surface condition of the plastic you are working on.

Clean the Nozzle And Cap

Before storing your E6000, you have to clean the nozzle and the cap, as things can get messy the next time you want to use your glue if you don’t clean them.

You do not want to be fiddling the cap with pliers and end up destroying it or, worse, wasting all your glue.

How Long Does E6000 Glue Take To Dry On Plastic?

E6000 usually requires up to 72 hours to cure fully. However, certain factors, such as the quantity of glue and weather conditions, can shorten or extend this time. 

If your project requires a lot of glue, then you may need to wait longer for it to dry. Likewise, if the weather is calm, drying will be faster. 

Whatever the case is, we highly recommend waiting at least 3 days for the project to cure fully and achieve maximum bonding. 

Does E6000 Glue Work On Styrofoam?

Despite being very versatile, E6000 doesn’t work on Styrofoam. This is because styrofoam is polystyrene, which is a type of plastic E6000 doesn’t bond with.

Polystyrene has an inert surface that is difficult for most glues to bond, including E6000. So, even though E6000 maintains its sticky consistency on styrofoam, it doesn’t bond to it. So using E6000 for styrofoam is setting yourself up for failure because the glue will most likely fail. 

If you’re looking to glue styrofoam, then consider using a specific styrofoam glue. Two good examples are UHU styrofoam glue and 3M77. 

How To Remove E6000 Glue From Plastic

E6000 glue provides a very rough bond, which makes it very hard to remove. However, with the right materials and a bit of care, you will be able to remove the glue. 

Removing E6000 From The Skin

If E6000 mistakenly drops on your skin becomes tacky, don’t try to pull it out forcefully as you could injure yourself. 

Wash the affected part in soapy water and scrub gently until the glue is removed. If this fails, you can use a nail polish remover or acetone. Drop a little quantity of acetone on the affected area and scrub off with water and detergent. Wash your skin thoroughly afterwards because acetone may irritate your skin if you allow contact for long.

Removing E6000 From Plastic

Choose a well-ventilated area. Apply acetone to the surface of the glue and scrub off with a toothbrush. If this fails, use petroleum solvent products such as Goo-gone, soak the plastic in it for 30 minutes, and then scrub off the glue. 

Is E6000 Glue Better Than Gorilla Glue?

This depends on what you’re looking for. Both E6000 and Gorilla are great glues. They are versatile and provide a tough bond on a wide range of projects. However, If you are looking for a glue that can fully cure in 24 hours, then gorilla glue is the way to go, as E6000 will take up to 72 hours to fully cure. But if you need a rock-solid bond with a lasting grab, then E6000 might just be what you need.

E6000 also has a pungent smell that can be very irritating. So, if you’re concerned about smell,  gorilla glue will be the more lenient option. 

Other Related Questions

How Well Does E6000 Glue Hold On Plastic?

As long as you use it on the right plastic, E6000 will provide a rock-solid bond capable of withstanding extreme temperatures and weather. However, if you use it on the wrong type of plastic, the bond is most likely to fail.  

Is E6000 Glue Good For Rubber?

Yes, E6000 glue is good for rubber. Being a stretchy and super-flexible glue itself, it will hold on strongly to rubber and will not fail when the rubber material is stretched or compressed. It can also withstand harsh weather and temperature conditions and so will serve for a long time.

What Does E6000 Glue Adhere To?

Being one of the most versatile adhesives in the market, E6000 can adhere to a wide variety of materials, including metals, wood, ceramics, rubber, fabric, polyvinyl plastics, leather, and much more.

Can E6000 Glue Be Removed?

Yes, E6000 can be removed. However, the “dryness” of the glue will determine what will work. You can wash it off with water and soap, acetone, or even petroleum solvent.

1. Specifically, the glue gets tacky within 5 minutes after application.
2. During this time, you can wash it off with soap and water.
3. If it stays beyond 30 minutes, you’ll need acetone or nail polish remover.
4. However, once it has cured, you may not be able to remove it until you immerse it in petroleum solvent for some time (say, 30 minutes). 

Will E6000 Stick To Plexiglass?

Yes, E6000 will stick to plexiglass. In fact, it’s one of the best adhesives for the material. The good thing about using E6000 on plexiglass is that it has weather-resistant properties, so it will not fall apart easily.  

Summary

We will draw the curtains here. As you can see, E6000 provides a strong bond on certain types of plastic, but it’s not perfect. It contains chemicals that are harmful to the body when ingested, so it should be used with care and caution. As long as you deal with the toxic aspect of the glue, which can be done by wearing the right protective gear, you shouldn’t have any problem.