Glue Velcro to Seats

Can someone recommend the best adhesive/method to glue velcro strips to a foam seat? I've tried two part expoxy, rubber cement, fabric glue, etc. to no avail. The strips stick fine to the hull but pull off the seat whenever I remove it. Any idea what the pros use? Thanks.

Submitted by dblane on Wed, 06/17/2009 - 2:04pm



The stuff I know OC use is Contact Cement made by DAP Weldwood and can be found at most hardware stores (i.e. Home depot, Lowes, Ace Hardware or True Value). Make sure you get The Original Contact Cement in the red can and not the Non-flammable Contact Cement that comes in the green can. I seen them in 1 oz or 3 oz bottles which is scarce, but mostly 16 oz, 32 oz and half gallon sized cans are more common.

Spread a coat or two on both the foam and the velcro strip back with either a small paint brush or wooden spreading stick (if you can't find the bottles) and let them sit for a bit (up to 15-20 mintues) until they both gloss over. Then align and press them together making sure you apply enough pressure for a good bond.

Also, make sure the foam is dry before doing it as it won't get a good enough bond (contact cement won't be able to soak in enough) if the foam seat is wet/damp.


#1 Wed, 06/17/2009 - 3:13pm


ocone
Thanks for the prompt response. That's exactly what I needed to know.


#2 Wed, 06/17/2009 - 3:42pm


I used 3m spray adhesive and placed a cinder block on the seat overnight, this worked fine for me. Good luck!


#3 Wed, 06/17/2009 - 3:52pm


Hey Dblane,

I've got a Pegasus, and I've been battleing my seat velcro for a couple of years now, and I have tried them all, epoxy, contact cement, shoe goo, none worked despite testimonials on this site. I finally tried PL construction adhesive, and it seems to be the best thing I've used yet. I am not sure if it is available in your area, as I am in Canada, but you must have something similiar.

If anyone from Kai Waa has any suggestions I'd be interested to hear what they recommend?

Be sure to remove residue from your previous adhesive attempts, before you try again.

Good Luck, let us know what works for you.


#4 Wed, 06/17/2009 - 3:55pm


Clearco 444. It's what we use at Kamanu Composites and was a tip picked up from Kai Wa'a -- so I think it's what they use as well.


#5 Wed, 06/17/2009 - 5:27pm


If you can find it, the very best contact cement by a mile is Barge Cement. I have never seen it over here.

Comes in an old style rectangle can ...

Seriously, This stuff is NIGHT and DAY better than the typical contact cement.

Aloha,
pog


#6 Wed, 06/17/2009 - 8:39pm


Try 3M Polyurethane glue if you can find it.


#7 Thu, 06/18/2009 - 1:07am


You could also try Gorilla Glue. It's activated with water to start the curing process and is waterproof. Supposed to work really well with dissimilar materials. I haven't used it much, but their Gorilla Tape is good stuff if you need really heavy duty duct tape.

There's also a company called Mr. Sticky's that makes a line of waterproof glues. I've used these to bond HDPE (high density polyethylene) parts which are notoriously hard to bond together and it works extremely well. This was actually used to repair a mounting point on a buoy where quite a bit of load was placed. I think it might be overkill for Velcro, but it' something for all the builders and people doing repairs to be aware of and is easy to work with.


#8 Thu, 06/18/2009 - 2:06am


I would recommend staying away from whatever they use at Outrigger Connection. The glue on my seat was only able to last a couple months before the velcro stopped sticking. I’ve heard other OC boat owners complain about the same thing.


#9 Thu, 06/18/2009 - 5:22am


Like anowara, I've used Gorilla Glue and haven't had another problem. I used a new piece of velco though, to make sure I didn't have issues with the prior adhesive. I put a cinder block on it to cure over night and it worked great.


#10 Thu, 06/18/2009 - 7:13am


The glue on my seat was only able to last a couple months before the velcro stopped sticking.

What was the problem, the glue holding the velcro to the seat failed or the velcro not sticking to each other (i.e. hook side not holding fuzzy side)?

So what did you do or use to fix your problem?


#11 Thu, 06/18/2009 - 10:33am


The velcro itself was not the problem. It stuck together just fine and it’s actually still suck together. What failed was the adhesive glue holding the velcro to the seat.

As far as a repair, it’s on the list of things I’ve been meaning to get around to fixing. For the last six months I’ve just thrown the seat in the boat every time I go out. Just have to be especially vigilant to put the seat in the car before driving off after paddling.


#12 Thu, 06/18/2009 - 11:42am


What failed was the adhesive glue holding the velcro to the seat.

I think the part that may have actually failed is the sticky adhesive backing that already comes on some velcro strips. They are good for hard flat surfaces such as the gelcoat on a OC-1, but not so good for soft surfaces. Applying contact cement over the existing adhesive backing doesn't give a solid bond for the velcro to the foam. On my extra seats that I've made, the two inch velcro stirps (fuzzy loop side) I use don't come with the adhesive and they haven't failed using the contact cement I mentioned.

Just have to be especially vigilant to put the seat in the car before driving off after paddling.

I've always taken my seat out whenever I transport my OC-1 as do most people I know or see. Even though I use a hull cover, I still take the wet seat out of the seatwell when I'm done. Leaving it in and "hoping" the velcro holds it in place isn't a good idea when transporting on your vehicle. If anything you could always get an extra tie-down strap or bungy cord to secure the seat from coming out if you prefer to leave it on the canoe.


#13 Thu, 06/18/2009 - 10:38pm


2 things practical that work.

  1. With the Velcro, stick the 'hooks' on the gelcoat and the 'loops' on the foam.
  2. Do not use the whole ' loops' part of the tape ... Just cut a couple bare minimum size ovals out per side. These will stay bonded on longer and not grab as much ( hook ) which will be easier on the bondline ...

aloha,
pog


#14 Fri, 06/19/2009 - 4:04am


3M has a line of glues like Spray 75 for repositioning, Spray 77 as an all around and Spray 90 specifically for foam. I prefer the 90


#15 Fri, 06/19/2009 - 10:17am


screws, nails or staples. All will work well.


#16 Fri, 06/19/2009 - 12:01pm


Actually, when my Pegasus seat velcro peeled of
at the ends I glued two webbing loops between foam
and velcro strip.
Now when I need to take seat of I just pull on the loop,
not the seat.
It stays put ever since and I have a handy
loop to hang seat to dry etc.
Whatever glue you are using, do this and you will not
regret it.


#17 Wed, 06/24/2009 - 1:03pm


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