The Best Glue for Styrofoam in 2022 – A Buyer’s Guide
Styrofoam is a very versatile material as it’s commonly used in various applications including the manufacturing of food packaging products and home insulation panels as well as arts and craft projects or making stage props and decorations.
Almost all of these applications will require holding the Styrofoam pieces together or sticking them on other surfaces. Although this can be done using toothpicks or tape, they won’t hold the Styrofoam material together as effectively as glue.
However, it’s very important to make sure you’re using the right kind of glue as there are many different kinds of glue on the market and they all have different properties, so not all of them will work on Styrofoam.
Also, there are some kinds of glue that might be only suitable for use on Styrofoam surfaces, while other kinds of glue can be used to glue Styrofoam to other surfaces.
To help you narrow down your options and make the right choice, here’s a compilation of the best glues for Styrofoam on the market along with a review of their properties.
List of the Best Glues for Styrofoam in 2022
- Uhu Por Styrofoam Glue – Best Overall
- Weldbond 8-50420 Multi-Purpose Glue – Runner Up
- Elmer’s Craftbond Tacky Glue – Best on a Budget
- Loctite PL 300 Foamboard Adhesive
- Tombow Mono Multi-Purpose Glue
- Aleene’s Quick Dry Tacky Craft Glue
- 3M General Purpose Spray Glue
- Liquid Nails Heavy Duty Construction Adhesive
Contents
The Top 8 Best Glues for Styrofoam
Okay, without any further delay, let’s discuss the best glues for Styrofoam that you can find and that offer the best value for money.
1. Best Overall – Uhu Por Styrofoam Glue
Uhu Por Glue is one of the best Styrofoam glues on the market as it’s specifically developed to bond Styrofoam to various other surfaces including plastic, paper, metal, glass, leather, and wood.
When applied to Styrofoam, it will form a strong bond without causing any damage to the surface, however, it can take a relatively long time to cure completely. The bond created will be long-lasting as it’s not susceptible to any kind of solvent.
It has a thick consistency but can still be easily applied and when it dries, it will form a clear even layer on the surface.
It’s also affordable and can last for a long time after being opened when stored in the proper conditions.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- It forms a strong bond
- It’s affordable
- It’s doesn’t dissolve Styrofoam surfaces
- It’s not susceptible to solvents
- It dries clear
- It’s easily applied
- It bonds Styrofoam to different kinds of surfaces
- It lasts a long time after being opened
Cons
- It takes a long time to cure
- It’s considered a single-purpose product
Bottom Line
This product is ideal if you’re looking for an overall high-quality glue that’s specifically made for use on Styrofoam
2. Second Runner – Weldbond 8-50420 Multi-Purpose Glue
Weldbond is one of the oldest and most popular brands in the adhesive industry.
Their Multi-Purpose Glue can strongly and quickly bond with a wide range of surfaces, including Styrofoam without causing any damage. It can also be used to seal or prime a surface.
This glue is easy to apply evenly on any surface as the bottle comes with a special tip that prevents the glue from spilling out and causing a mess.
When it dries, it gives the surface a smooth and clear finish which makes it ideal for projects with smaller detail work.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- It bonds strongly
- It bonds Styrofoam to different kinds of surfaces
- It’s doesn’t damage Styrofoam surfaces
- It’s easy to apply
- It doesn’t spill or cause any mess
- It gives a clear smooth finish
- It can be used as a sealer and primer
Cons
- It dries too quickly so it is difficult to make adjustments
- It has a strong odor
- It might be difficult to clean up
Bottom Line
This product is ideal if you’re a glue that works on various kinds of surfaces and for various purposes
3. Best On a Budget – Elmer’s Craftbond Tacky Glue
Elmer’s glue is one of the best glues for arts and craft projects that involve Styrofoam as well as other kinds of surfaces. It’s also an ideal choice if you’re looking for a high-quality adhesive that comes at a cheap price.
It has a tacky consistency which makes it easy to bond any two surfaces together and it doesn’t take a long time to cure. The bond formed will be flexible enough to allow making adjustments or repositioning the surfaces.
After the glue dries, it will form a clear and smooth finishing layer.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- It effectively bonds Styrofoam without causing damage
- It’s flexible which allows making adjustments
- It doesn’t take a long time to dry
- It’s accessible and cheap
- It gives a clear smooth finish
Cons
- It doesn’t bond Styrofoam to plastic
Bottom Line
This product is ideal if you’re looking for a strong glue that comes at an affordable price
4. Loctite PL 300 Foamboard Adhesive
The PL300 glue from Loctite is specifically designed for use on Styrofoam as it doesn’t cause any damage to the surface and prevents it from melting. It can also be used to bond Styrofoam to various surfaces even porous surfaces including paper or wood.
It’s easy to apply on a surface and can create an extremely strong bond, however, it takes a long time to cure.
Once it’s dry, it will form a transparent layer over the surfaces that’s also water-resistant.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- It creates an extremely strong bond
- It’s designed for use on Styrofoam
- It bonds effectively with other porous materials
- It’s water-resistant
- It dries clear
Cons
- It takes a long time to cure
Bottom Line
This product is ideal if you’re looking for a glue that can bond Styrofoam to porous surfaces
5. Tombow Mono Multi-Purpose Glue
Tombow is one of the greatest brands for adhesives with its wide selection of glues that work for almost any project. Their mono multi-purpose liquid glue is ideal for scrapbooks, collages, and any project that involve Styrofoam.
The glue is easy to apply as the container is designed with dual application tips. The pen tip can be used to apply the glue on smaller, more delicate areas, while the broad tip can be used for complete surface coverage.
The glue forms a strong bond with the surface and it doesn’t take too long to dry and cure fully. Once it dries, it will form a clear layer on the surface and won’t leave any odor behind.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- It can bond with Styrofoam and various kinds of paper surfaces
- It’s easy to apply and remove
- Its container has dual-tip applicators
- It dries clear and odorless
Cons
- It doesn’t work when adhering paper to wood
Bottom Line
This product is ideal if you’re looking for a multi-purpose glue that can be applied to small areas as well as large areas
6. Aleene’s Quick Dry Tacky Craft Glue
Aleene’s Tacky Craft glue is ideal for any project that involves bonding Styrofoam or other materials such as paper, fabric, ceramic, plastic, wood, or metal without damaging the surface. The glue’s formula is also non-toxic which makes it safe to use around children.
The container comes with a slim tip which makes it easy to apply glue in hard-to-reach areas, however, it might be difficult to get it open at first.
Once the glue is applied, it will bond strongly with the surface and dry almost instantly forming a clear layer
Pros and Cons
Pros
- It’s made from non-toxic ingredients
- It dries clear and quickly
- It forms a strong bond with different kinds of materials
- It’s easy to apply in areas that require precision
Cons
- It might be difficult to open
Bottom Line
This product is ideal if you’re looking for a non-toxic craft glue that’s safe for children
7. 3M General Purpose Spray Glue
The 3M general-purpose spray adhesive makes it easy to stick surfaces together without worrying about excess glue or causing a mess. However, it requires caution when used as it’s highly flammable and contains toxic materials.
Its formula allows it to bond strongly when applied to various surfaces including Styrofoam, metal, cork, wood, and more. The bond formed will be long lasting as it’s not susceptible to any solvents
It’s very easy to apply and will provide full surface coverage in much less time. It also dries clear and doesn’t take too long to cure.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- It’s quick and easy to apply without causing a mess
- It works on various kinds of materials
- It’s ideal for large surfaces
- It dries clear and fast
- It forms a strong bond that’s not susceptible to solvents
Cons
- It’s highly flammable
- It contains toxic materials that are dangerous to inhale and may cause skin irritation
Bottom line
This product is ideal if you’re looking for an easy to apply glue to cover large surface areas
8. Liquid Nails Heavy Duty Construction Adhesive
Liquid Nails are the most ideal adhesive when working on construction projects that involve Styrofoam tiles and insulation panels. It is a low-solvent adhesive that is certified by the UL environment and meets the Greenguard standard.
It provides a strong bond when applied without causing any damage to the surface. It’s also water-resistant and can withstand high temperatures up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit
It’s flexible to work with as it takes a few minutes to set which allows making adjustments or repositioning the material.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- It forms a strong long-lasting bond
- It is flexible which allows adjustments and repositioning
- It works with a wide range of construction materials
- It doesn’t damage Styrofoam surfaces
- It’s water-resistant
- It can withstand temperatures up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit
- It’s certified by the UL environment and meets the Greenguard standard.
Cons
- It requires a caulking gun to use
Bottom Line
This product is ideal if you’re working on a construction project that involves Styrofoam
What You Need to Know about Gluing Styrofoam
What Is Styrofoam?
Styrofoam, also known as blue board or foam board, is a soft material that’s mainly made of a petroleum-based product called styrene which is refined through polymerization styrene into small polystyrene balls.
It is basically a kind of plastic that contains 90 percent air which makes it extremely light in weight. It is also moisture resistant which is why it’s commonly used in manufacturing food packaging boxes and home insulation panels.
It’s available in different sizes as well as shapes, such as flat sheets, blocks, cones, or spheres, which is why it’s often used in arts and crafts raft projects or to make props and decorations for theater productions
Is Styrofoam Safe?
Even though Styrofoam is a very versatile and useful material, it’s not completely safe to use as it can still do some significant damage to the environment.
That is because burning or melting Styrofoam material will cause it to release various harmful pollutants into the air including carbon monoxide.
So, it is very important to dispose of Styrofoam properly and to keep it away from any heat sources.
What Kinds of Glue Can Be Used on Styrofoam?
If you’re working on a project that involves Styrofoam, you will often need to hold pieces of Styrofoam together or stick them to other surfaces. The fastest and most effective way to do that is to use adhesives like glue.
However, you need to make sure you’re using the right kind of glue as there are many different kinds of glue, and not all of them will work with Styrofoam. Some kinds of glue might be only suitable for use on Styrofoam surfaces, while other kinds of glue can be used to glue Styrofoam to other surfaces.
So, let’s take a close look at the kinds of glue you can use on Styrofoam:
PVA Glue
Standard craft glue like PVA glue will be ideal for simple Styrofoam projects.
PVA glue, also known as white glue or school glue, is made from a combination of polyvinyl acetate polymers, water, ethanol, acetone, as well as other chemical substances.
You can use PVA glue to hold Styrofoam pieces together or stick them to other kinds of surfaces such as wood, ceramic, metal, rubber, and different kinds of paper. However, you can’t use it to stick Styrofoam to surfaces like glass or some kinds of plastic like polypropylene or polyethylene.
Epoxy Glue
Epoxy glue is ideal for bigger Styrofoam projects as it holds the pieces together or sticks them to other surfaces.
It consists of two main components which are resin and hardening fluid. These two components typically come in separate containers so they need to be combined before applying them to the surface in order for the glue to bond effectively.
This kind of glue might take longer to dry than other kinds, however, it will form extremely strong bonds with the surface and can withstand high degrees of pressure for a long time.
Super Glue
Super glue is ideal for sticking Styrofoam to various kinds of surfaces, including metal and wood, without damaging the quality of the material.
It’s mainly made from a chemical compound called cyanoacrylate which gives it the ability to form extremely strong bonds with any surface. However, keep in mind that the surface the glue is applied on needs to have some degree of moisture in order for the glue to react and form a bond.
Two-Part Acrylic Glue
Two-part acrylic glue is ideal for bonding Styrofoam without breaking down or damaging the material.
It might need UV exposure to bond with the surface and can take a longer time to fully cure compared to other kinds of glue. However, the bond formed will dry clear and will not yellow over time.
Silicone-Based Glue
Silicone-based glue is ideal for bonding Styrofoam to surfaces that require a good amount of flexibility.
However, it doesn’t provide the strongest bonds compared to other kinds of glue so it might not be suitable for surfaces that are exposed to a lot of wear and tear.
Styro-glue
As the name implies, Styroglue is a kind of glue that is developed specifically to be used with Styrofoam
It’s made from various chemicals that allow it to bond Styrofoam together strongly as well as other kinds of surfaces. Although this kind of glue is very affordable, it’s not easy to find in most supply stores.
How to Glue Styrofoam?
To glue Styrofoam, you first need to determine which kind of glue is most suitable for the kind of project you’re working on. Next, you need to prepare the surface for bonding before applying the glue to avoid causing any damage.
Here is a step by step guide you can follow to properly glue Styrofoam:
Prepare the material for bonding.
You need to make sure the Styrofoam surface and the surface you’re sticking it to are completely clean and dry before applying the glue.
That is because any contaminants such as dirt or grease will interfere with the glue’s ability to form a bond with the surface which will result in a weaker bond.
Apply the glue to the Styrofoam surface.
Make sure to cover the entire surface with glue. It’s recommended to apply the glue in a thin, even layer for more effective results.
It’s also recommended to use a paintbrush to apply the glue for more control over where and how much of the glue is applied.
Apply slight pressure on the surface you’re gluing.
Press the Styrofoam on the surface you’re sticking it to but be careful with how much pressure you apply because Styrofoam is a very soft material and can break easily.
You also need to make sure that all of the glue you applied on one surface comes in contact with the other surface.
Adjust or reposition the surface before the glue starts setting.
Depending on the kind of glue used and the amount you applied, you’ll have at least a minute or two to make any final adjustments or to reposition the Styrofoam surface before the glue starts to set.
Leave the surface to dry
Give the glue enough time to dry and make sure not to disturb the surface during the drying process otherwise or you might need to re-apply the glue and start over.
It’s recommended to use a sturdy object to prop your project to ensure remains in a stable position while it dries.
The time it will take for the glue to dry and cure completely will depend on the size of your project, the kind of glue you used, the amount of glue you applied, and the kind of surface you applied the glue on.
Can Your Remove Glue from Styrofoam?
Removing glue from Styrofoam will depend mainly on the kind of glue used. Some kinds of glues can be easily removed from Styrofoam, while others might cause significant damage to the surface with removal.
If you’re not sure whether the kind of glue you used can be safely removed without damaging the surface, it’s best to test the glue on a small area before applying it to the entire surface.
To remove dried glue from a Styrofoam surface, you need to use a suitable adhesive remover to dissolve and soften most of the glue residue.
It’s recommended to use solvent-based adhesive removers as they contain certain chemicals that can be safely used on Styrofoam without causing any damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take Glue to Dry on Styrofoam?
Glue can take from 15 to 20 minutes to dry on Styrofoam, and from 5 to 8 hours for the bond to cure completely before you can use the surface. The speed of the drying process mainly depends on the kind of glue used, the amount of glue applied, and the conditions of the room you’re working in.
At What Temperature Does Styrofoam Melt?
The temperature Styrofoam will melt at is 464 degrees Fahrenheit (240 degrees Celsius) as it is the melting point of the polystyrene chemical that Styrofoam is made of. You need to be careful when melting Styrofoam as it will release harmful fumes in the air such as carbon monoxide.
What Kind of Glue Can’t Be Used on Styrofoam?
The kind of glue that can’t be used on Styrofoam is hot glue as it will cause the surface to melt and release harmful fumes. It’s also recommended not to use any kind of glue that’s specifically made for use on surfaces other than Styrofoam such as wood glue because it can contain strong chemicals that will damage the surface.
What Happens If You Inhale Styrofoam Fumes?
Inhaling Styrofoam fumes can cause harm to your health as they contain toxic ingredients such as carbon monoxide. Prolonged exposure to these fumes will cause symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. If you’re melting Styrofoam, make sure to wear a mask to avoid inhaling too much of the fumes.
If you like this article, share it!
