Plastic comes in many types, shapes and sizes. Therefore, it’s important to choose the right plastic sealant for the material you’re working with. Our guide will explain about the different liquid sealants for plastics, and point you to the right products for multiple jobs.
There are many different kinds of plastics in the world. Plastics make up a majority of everyday objects like furniture, kitchen supplies, electronic parts, construction material, toys, clothes, jewelry and much more. When plastic breaks, it’s easy to throw it away. However, everyday objects are easily repaired with the right liquid sealant for plastic.
There are several types of bonding systems that work with a variety of plastics, here’s a look at what they are, and the differences between them.
Silicone sealants come in cartridges that require a caulking gun to administer. This type of plastic sealant is ideal for construction projects like installing windows, trim, plumbing, or other heavy-duty projects and also for underwater use, if claimed in the respective product’s technical documentation.
Two-part plastic adhesives and epoxies come in tubes with plungers. These types of sealants require you to either mix the two properties before application, or prime the surface before applying the adhesive. These types of plastic adhesives are rigid, strong, and designed to adhere to hard-to-bond surfaces like PP and PE plastics.
Some plastic sealants come in single tubes, and require one step application. These plastic sealants provide a flexible seal and are intended for use with softer plastics like pool floats, umbrellas, and camping gear.
Given the variety of plastics that exist, the type of sealant you need greatly depends on the job you’re doing. Here are examples of projects, and the matching plastic sealant.
For fixing shoes, or minor plumbing leaks, turn to Loctite Clear Silicone Waterproof Sealant. This silicone sealant is perfect for bonding ABS plastics, rubbers, and more. As an added bonus, it’s flexible, gap filling, temperature-resistant, and acts as a sealant and adhesive.
For bigger jobs that require watertight adhesion to a number of different plastics and other materials, reach for Loctite PL Marine Fast Cure Adhesive Sealant. This waterproof sealant is ideal for boats and other underwater applications. It can be used to seal out both salt water and fresh water, keeps a watertight and flexible bond, and will not shrink when cured.
The strongest and most versatile sealant is Loctite Polyseamseal All Purpose. This strong and durable product is designed to have the strength of an adhesive and the sealing characteristics of a caulk. It is an easy to use water-based caulk and will bond to most surfaces including plastic. The permanent and flexible seal provides a long-lasting professional finish for any household project, and it's even paintable after only 40 minutes!
For difficult to bond plastics (like PP and PE) reach for Loctite Plastics Bonding System. This two-part system also bonds to PVC, requires no mixing, and sets in seconds.
If you're looking for a product that will repair and bond most plastic materials, including ABS, hard plastic, soft plastic, PVC and fiberglass, then we recommend Loctite Epoxy Plastic. It's 2-part formula consists of resin and hardener for permanent high bond strenght, It is also resistant to water, solvents, moisture and impact.