Great Stuff as a adhesive

[Bone Dancer]

I just tried using great stuff to stick together my styrofoam blocks. Up to now I used liquid nail for foam The LN works ok but has a curing time problem to get a really strong bond. In temps below 50 degrees we are talking days.
I let the GS set overnite and with only a small amount of expansion (1/4 to 3/8 of an inch) the bond was amazingly strong. I had used tooth picks to help hold the two block together but I think a little weight on them would work just as well. I plan on trying to bond wood to foam an see how that works, but I am sure it will work well.
For jobs with small parts this may not work, but for larger parts like the blocks it works very well.
Great stuff is normally a sticky mess. But this puts that to good use.

[The_Caretaker]

if you ever got it on you you know how well it sticks what might help with the cure and strength is a light mist of water on one surface, just like gorilla glue.

[My CReePY Garage]

I made a great stuff blob to put in a mask and keep the form and then carved out a space for the light up eyes to fit in one year. Used a paddle bit to run the cord through. It is amazing stuff.

[Frighteners Entertainment]

It can work thought the hardness factor is low, something around 2-3 pound (squishy to touch).
What I used for the facade was around 15 pound, much much harder (like a rock to touch).

[Frighteners Entertainment]

Oh, forgot to mention, using pink or blue foam you should ruff up the surface a bit, there is a release agent on the surface of the product.

[bobzilla]

Yep....You're right ! it works "great" on the foam blocks and foam sheets ! I've used cases of great stuff on my foam projects. It will adhere to wood too ! I use the big wooden "toothpicks" bbq skewers to hold the foam blocks together until they dry. ( 99 cent store )http://www.longvic.com.cn/BBQ%20skewers.jpg To hide the seams, try : ( Home depot )http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://phenopatch.com/images/products/010186330174_lg.jpg&imgrefurl=http://phenopatch.com/product_details.aspx%3Fproduct%3D1&usg=__eFKmYC7Jkx7v-l8c2kFeCoKt4j8=&h=230&w=213&sz=18&hl=en&start=2&sig2=4xo7d-qNg9NyquNIaNzHqg&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=eM6cnfWTwM7QDM:&tbnh=108&tbnw=100&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dflexall%2Bcompound%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den %26sa%3DN%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=4_UYTL7bNImeM9S8jLAE It dries flexible and expands and contracts with surface movement.
Foam sheets "glued" on plywood using GS : http://www.halloweenforum.com/picture.php?albumid=2415&pictureid=33024
Foam blocks "glued" using GS :http://www.halloweenforum.com/picture.php?albumid=2415&pictureid=33018
Can't wait to see what you do with your foam blocks ! :D

I just tried using great stuff to stick together my styrofoam blocks. Up to now I used liquid nail for foam The LN works ok but has a curing time problem to get a really strong bond. In temps below 50 degrees we are talking days.
I let the GS set overnite and with only a small amount of expansion (1/4 to 3/8 of an inch) the bond was amazingly strong. I had used tooth picks to help hold the two block together but I think a little weight on them would work just as well. I plan on trying to bond wood to foam an see how that works, but I am sure it will work well.
For jobs with small parts this may not work, but for larger parts like the blocks it works very well.
Great stuff is normally a sticky mess. But this puts that to good use.

[Bone Dancer]

It can work thought the hardness factor is low, something around 2-3 pound (squishy to touch).
What I used for the facade was around 15 pound, much much harder (like a rock to touch).


So I am guessing that was a two part foam you used and just poured in on the stucture?

[Bone Dancer]

To hide the seams, try : ( Home depot )http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...7bNImeM9S8jLAE It dries flexible and expands and contracts with surface movement.

What the price of the Flexall?

Never mind, I found it on the Home Depot site, listed at $14.48 gallon.

[Bone Dancer]

if you ever got it on you you know how well it sticks what might help with the cure and strength is a light mist of water on one surface, just like gorilla glue.


Thanks, I was thinking it was a water cure process but wasnt sure. So a light mist or a damp rag on the opposite surface should help.

They make a flexible GS also that I want to try for making hands. I plan on inserting a wire frame into a vinyl glove and fill it with GS. Hopefully the GS will flex enought and the wire should hold the shape in place.

[Frighteners Entertainment]

The more soft the foam is, the more it expandes

[morbid mike]

has anyone had problems with it expanding after awhile I did a branch for my accloyte to hold and after it dried I used a rasp to get the shape then used celuclay over it for the bark and I noticed the other day it cracked in a few places not bad but bad enough I have to patch a little bit and repaint

[Bone Dancer]

My guess would be that if the branch was thick that maybe the center didnt cure all the way and continue to cure after the outer shell set up. Just a guess though.

[morbid mike]

yeah the branch was a 1/2 in conduit with foam on top then I carved the shell off it is only about 2 in thick on the branch it's just wierd I guess no worries I'll fix it here shortly

[kevin242]

they don't call it "Great Stuff" for nothing... I use it in my haunt all the time, I only wish they'd start making it in fashion colors like puke green and glow-in-the-dark.

[Bone Dancer]

Just a side note. If you do get some foam on you acetone will remove it and the other name for acetone is nail polish remover. Not sure what the acetone will do to you or your stuff, its a major solvent so don't get to carried away.