# Gluing rubber to plexiglass? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 3, 2013, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gluing-rubber-to-plexiglass/649263 "2013-02-03T22:41:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gluing-rubber-to-plexiglass/649263/1 "2013-02-03T22:41:48Z")
I have some pieces of plexiglass that got badly scratched and oxidized so I had the hardware store cut new pieces. There’s a rubber gasket that slips around the edges and is glued into place, I was able to seperate it with a hobby knife, but any suggestions what kind of adhesive to use to glue it to the new pieces? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gluing-rubber-to-plexiglass/649263/2 "2013-02-03T22:51:10Z")
Not sure what you’re using them for, or if it’s actual plexiglass either. I’d recommend silicone as a general solution. You need something flexible since the plastic will expand and contract with temperature differences. ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2013, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gluing-rubber-to-plexiglass/649263/3 "2013-02-04T03:22:34Z")
> **[This to That (Glue Advice)](http://www.thistothat.com/cgi-bin/glue.cgi?lang=en&this=Rubber&that=Plastic)** > > How to glue this to that ---
**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2013, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gluing-rubber-to-plexiglass/649263/4 "2013-03-11T04:33:16Z")
As an update I tried silicone and it made an horrible mess, when I put the rubber gasket around the edge of the plexiglass window the extra squeezed out tionsand got all over the place, wrecking the plexiglass, so time to get the hardware store to cut more. Press tite won’t work because it bonds instantly, the gasket needs to slide onto the plexiglass, fitting around the edges. Other suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Enter\_the\_Flagon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Enter\_the\_Flagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enter_the_Flagon)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2013, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gluing-rubber-to-plexiglass/649263/5 "2013-03-11T05:13:47Z")
I came in to recommend 3M 77 spray glue, but the stuff is so darned hard to spray onto a small area without getting it all over everything else. Another good option, I think, would be this stuff: [3M Double Coated Foam Tape](http://www1.mscdirect.com/cgi/NNSRIT2?PMAKA=65368912&PMPXNO=20672542&cm_re=ItemDetail-_-ResultListing-_-SearchResults) You can buy it at Staples, and it’s surprisingly strong. I seem to remember once using it to hang a buffalo from a skyscraper, though I could be mistaken…I may be thinking of some other brand of tape. :smack: Edit: and of course, remember to clean both surfaces thoroughly first, or you’ll be blaming me when it doesn’t stick. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Niply\_Elder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e8cbc/32.png) [@The\_Niply\_Elder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Niply_Elder)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2013, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gluing-rubber-to-plexiglass/649263/6 "2013-03-11T07:35:34Z")
> [@Mdcastle](#): > > As an update I tried silicone and it made an horrible mess, when I put the rubber gasket around the edge of the plexiglass window the extra squeezed out tionsand got all over the place > > Other suggestions? Use less silicone. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2013, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gluing-rubber-to-plexiglass/649263/7 "2013-03-11T13:44:39Z")
> [@Mdcastle](#): > > As an update I tried silicone and it made an horrible mess, when I put the rubber gasket around the edge of the plexiglass window the extra squeezed out tionsand got all over the place, wrecking the plexiglass, so time to get the hardware store to cut more. Press tite won’t work because it bonds instantly, the gasket needs to slide onto the plexiglass, fitting around the edges. > > Other suggestions? Mask the area with masking tape first. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2013, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gluing-rubber-to-plexiglass/649263/8 "2013-03-11T14:35:41Z")
Yeah, you need a lot less silicone. Can you give us some idea how big this gasket is and the shape of it? ---
**Author:** ![Terry\_Kennedy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@Terry\_Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terry_Kennedy)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2013, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gluing-rubber-to-plexiglass/649263/9 "2013-03-11T21:37:53Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Mask the area with masking tape first. And if you want to be able to get away with being _really_ sloppy, specify that the cutter should leave the protective paper on both sides. You can then peel back the paper from the edges and tear it off, then use masking tape for the rest of the gap between the paper and whatever you’re installing. I use 3M 2060 green painter’s tape as it sticks well to the plastic, yet comes off without leaving any residue. ---
**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gluing-rubber-to-plexiglass/649263/10 "2013-03-12T00:12:29Z")
I tried something different 1. put gasket on 2. use exacto knife to cut the protective backing around the rubber edge 3. remove gasket, peel only the backing around the edges, apply silcone and put gasket on 4. hopefully remove the rest of the backing with any silcone slop on top of it. I’m still waiting for the silcone to cure to see if it work. ALso, is there anything that will remove cured silcone from plastic, or do I just need to get another piece done? Most of it rubbed off but there’s still a thin smear on it.