The Ultimate Glue Quest - Best Adhesives for EVA Foam! 

Check out the full list of tools & materials shown in this video at www.punishedprops.com/2020/08/31/foam-glue/

One year I was at a con where it reached 103F and practically everyone’s hot glue started re-melting in the heat. Just an FYI.

If you are wondering what glue gun Bill is using in this video, he is using the Surebonder DT-3100 high temp hot glue gun. It is also called "The Grommet". The one linked in the desription and on the website is the surebonder DT-270 duel temp glue gun. The DT-270 is about a third of the price of the DT-3100, but the 3100 also has an auto-off feature.

Rabbit hole info. Toluene is the solvent in contact cement. It is readily absorbed through the skin and quite toxic AND incredibly flammable. If your room reeks of toluene and spark or open flame could cause explosive ignition. Contact cement is great stuff but as you pointed out you want to take some precautions. With costumes you probably aren't using enough of it to pose a serious issue but it is a common adhesive for laminating countertops and when you have a lot of square feet drying the fumes can be an issue. And people should remember that Toluene is not like paint thinner, you really do not want to get it on your skin. Don't clean your hands with it or you will very likely end up in the hospital. CA glue solvent is acetone which is also toxic but not nearly as absorbable as toluene. I wouldn't soak in it but I would also not be worried about getting it on your skin. It is the same solvent used in fingernail polish remover and is used as a solvent for some medicines like athletes foot antifungals. A heads up with CA accelerator is that it will generate heat as it speeds up the cure. Generally nobody will notice that but I knew a flamenco guitarist who used CA glue for fingernail strengthening and he used to talk about having to be careful because it could get uncomfortable hot with the excelerator. Personally I have had issues with CA glue if it has to deal with any flexing. Hot glue has gottens so much better over the years. The low temp stuff helps if you are using some non EVA foams like water pipe insulating noodles. The melting point of that foam is way lower than hot glue (it's lower than the low temp glue) so high temp is a real pain with it but low temp is OK. I knew a set designer who would add dimensionality to things with hot glue. Not sure how useful that would be for a costume but on a set where the audience doesn't get to be too close it was great. He would literally paint a picture that was "hanging" on a wall, on the wall and use hot glue to create a dimensional picture frame. You didn't need a lot of thickness just enough to have lighting create a drop shadow. From 10 ft. it looked dead on real. The hot glue as "weld" is apparently not an unused cheat with some cheap import stuff that has garbage welds. They hot glue a weld pattern and then paint it and nobody knows till the pain chips or the garbage weld fails... Epoxy is one you didn't mention, and probably don't use much. It's good for many things where strength is critical, And it can handle flex pretty well. It should work on EVA, though I doubt it would be worth the effort unless you were attaching some load bearing something. It's more useful for non EVA parts of your EVA creation. Styrene is useful sometimes for details and it uses a solvent to weld instead of a glue. Same goes for Acrylic (plexiglass) weld. I'm pretty sure PVC cement is also a weld action with some glue supplement. All of the solvent weld "glues" have lightening fast cure times. None would probably work for for EVA foam but most of us can't make everything from EVA ;~). Though by Foamsmith 10 maybe we will be using nothing but EVA! ** Forgot to mention that canned air. Most but not all cans work that way when you turn them upside down. Some have a kind of safety feature that prevents the liquid (not sure what is in there) from coming out because you can get a pretty nasty frostbite if you get it on your skin. On the plus side it's great for instant freezing that wasp that managed to get in your studio. One good blast and it's an ice cube.

Always great to see a new video from you guys Pro tip: keep your respirator in a sealed Tupperware container, the filters will last longer. Respirator filters continue to filter out vapours even when you're not using it, by keeping them in there they can only filter out the air in the container instead of an entire workshop.

Bill, hello I have new content to show you, Everyone: glued to there screens .

"The foam will rip before the glue does" This kinda made me want to see an experiment of how much it'll take to pull two glued pieces of foam apart :0

Can’t wait for Bill & his wife to do more projects around the shop

My favorite glue to use in Europe (and less toxic than barge) is Bison tix gel! Very good stuff. Unfortunately unavailable in the americas

Hot tip for hot glue: If you ever want to break the bonds of hot glue, try using isopropanol alcohol. I usually keep about 500ml of 90% ISO in a spray bottle that I can use to lightly disperse the alcohol onto rags, cotton swabs, or even directly onto things. If you end up hot gluing things together that weren't supposed to be together, just spray some ISO on there, wait a couple of seconds and apply gentle pressure to release the bonds. Works every time, surprisingly well.

Big recommendation for silicone face mask applicators to spread contact cement with - you can peel the glue right off them once you're done so you don't need to keep throwing out brushes.

Love the books! Just recently arrived in the mail. Pouring through them. Great info! Especially since I'm just getting ready to start down this path. Thanks so much!

Thank you guys for making this video! It’s so informative and really helpful. You guys have helped me so much in my costuming adventures!

contact cement :) that takes me back to when i used to work at a car mechanics shop on the weekends when i was in college. we used contact cement and a plug to plug small holes in tires from the inside. it took exactly one cigarette break for the contact cement to set before you pulled the plug trough. sometimes i miss those days

good to see you're back! I like those projects most where we learn together with you

I have some advice for the hot glue part. I run an ice club on it. This allows me to shape the glue while cooling it down. So i can get a half crescent by using ice cubes. It also safely spreads out the glue right before cooling it off.

I love the hot glue tip of rubbing it after it gets on you. Totally works. Luckily for my left hand, I've been playing guitar so long that Those fingertips are all calloused over and stuff and basically I don't feel pain in them anymore unless it's like, a cut.

Cool! Thanks for the mention. Always love glue tips and tricks.

Glad to see you back in the saddle. looking forward to new projects.

Hi Bill, Hope you and Brit and the family are safe and well. No matter what videos and content you release, we'll all stick by you through thick and thin. Take care!

Always glad to see a new video from the team at PPA, just wondering when the next build video will be up

always happy to hear that notification bell letting me know you guys posted a video...

Thanks for great info and especially for stressing needing proper PPE while using the products.

I have zero ambition to create anything I see in these videos but man do I love watching these! Something so enjoyable able watching someone create who seems very passionate about there craft. Who know though maybe my kid will need a crazy cool Halloween costume someday and thanks to these vids I won’t be lost.

I personally love fabric hot glue. It seems to have a better Bond, and it seems stronger than normal hot glue. I have used fabric hot glue on EVA foam, before and it work better in my opinion than the regular hot glue did.

Awesome as always Bill! You taught me how to use my precious contact cement which freaked my parents out at first!

Thanks! I’m just getting into Eva foam and wanted to know more about adhesives. I’ve been using weldwood for ages in my leatherwork so am glad to know I don’t need some fancy EVA foam glue. I was considering hot glue (I got an award at costumecon for my use of hot glue to mimic metal adornment). Thanks and I’ve subscribed to your channel.

Thanks for the great video, and thanks for sharing your carefully accumulated knowledge. :)

I have used the Barge in the blue tube to make a few pieces myself. The lower toxicity keeps my mind at ease and it's worked fine so far! Also I didn't need a huge can of normal Barge and that's the only size I could find.

Excelent!!! I live in Chile, I bought the super glue on website in USA, and this glue is incredibly strong ... very very strong ... thanks for your advice !!!!

Nice video! It's good to know these things.

Loved your tips including how to not burn yourself with hotglue.

this video its really helpful

Thanks for this. I've started a project and didn't know what kind of glue to use.

Awesome video I just got EVA today and can't wait to use it on my whiplash costume

Congratulations on book 3! :)

I love you guys and you inspired me to do my first project wich was a 3D printed fallout 4 Pip-Boy

Hooray for bloopers. :D I haven't made anything out of foam in years. I really need to get back into it. Maybe some stunt props. I always wanted to build a replica wrench from Super.

Fingers crossed for the foam smith trilogy for xmas🤞☃️

0:13 KamuiCosplay: *NANI!?*

Great video but wondering what's the best adhesive for gluing vinyl, like velcro strips, or metal washers to eva foam for a industrial strength bond that will not break

I could smell that contact cement from here! pfew!!! (gonna buy your books soon!)

Miss you guys! Look forward to the new videos... a bit longer maybe😛. Stay healthy!

Oh Bill and Britt how we missed you!

Was really disappointed that the smooth-on seminar was postponed. Was looking forward to meeting you.

Thanks for this! Was working trying to glue some velcro straps on foam armor with a low temp hot glue gun and clear Gorilla glue, and it wasn't working. Thankfully I saw this video at the perfect time 😂

Love your videos!!

Contact Cement softens Contact Cement. I see so many cosplayers say they added a second layer. The first layer has become soft again if you apply fresh stuff on it. I re-use brushes with dried contact cement on it by re-dipping it in to make it soft again [so long as it hasn't been dry for too long]. I learnt that from a carpenter. 'Vertical' application contact cement is also way better because it's a gel, and so much easier to deal with because it's not that runny shit that drips and gives you that annoying spider webbing, as seen after 3:57. Liquid contact cement is really designed to be spread over a large top surface for laminating. I also don't understand why people extend blades out of their knives so much, like at 14:18. Longer blade means it'll flex and wobble. Just extend to the thickness of what you're cutting.

Remember folks.... *BUY HIS BOOKS!* (I think I have been hanging around Kamui Cosplay too long lol). Cannot seem to get Barge in the UK but I can highly recommend EVO-Stik impact adhesive. Only downside they don't seem to come with their own brush in the can which is a shame.

Note on squeeze bottle: not good for long term storage, as even sealed, it will dry out over time. Contact cement is in either a metal can, or brown glass; so my guess is light is what drys it out.

'Bout to embark on my first foam project. Wish me luck!

I’m about to start a new project for Halloween and I’m so hyped because it’s my first full suit of armor. It’s going to be a Batman suit inspired by the games and the new movie. Wish me luck!!!

Bit of an old video, but, a safer alternative to barge, is elmer's rubber cement, it isn't as strong, but it's strong enough under most circumstances, as long as you use at least two layers you should be fine, and as long as the foam isn't put under too much strain, and you can back the seams with just a line of hot glue, or a strip of thinner foam to really make sure it stays together, heat forming is incredibly useful with this, as it helps put less strain on seams, which is a great thing

What would you suggest as a completely nontoxic way to bind two large surfaces of foam together for constructing a wedge pillow to sleep on?

I like Foam-tac for my foam airplanes. It is my favorite. Have you ever tried Foam-tac? It is costly but really good.

Nice video! I'm wondering if you have done a strength test with all the adhesives including hot glue? which one is the strongest?

What is that little bottle called that you have the super glue accelerator in

Respirator cartridges are active and filter the air weather you are using it or not. I wouldn’t use the cartridge for more then a few days after opening them.

I have worked with cardboard and hotglue a lot, and it holds up pretty well. Is that the same with foam? Or will you need to go back and re glue it every now and then? Thank you so much for this video, this is going to help so much when i make my custom mandalorian helmet using the templates from your video as well!!

Bill's channeling Svetlana today, "Buy my books!" :)

I've never gotten the superglue solvent to work properly on my projects, I've even seen it melt styrene. it does help unstick your fingers though.

I have barge cement but the can is blue, is it the right one?

The red Weldwood is pretty decent, I've used it to apply tolex to a speaker cabinet.

What chemicals will melt or ruin the Eva if in contact with it ?

Im glad you guys are back! Not to take a deep dive into your personal situation, but you seemed to be burned out through work (not the mental diagnosis, but rather the metaphore that comes with it) . How did you deal with it? I would be very interested in this.

Michaels has started carrying Barge Contact Cement.

Question regarding the hot glue, is there a way to make it survive being in heat better? I'm trying to build a custom proton pack, and I can't afford most contact cements, but obviously I have to wear that thing outside in Alabama summer.

I was wondering if you could help me! I’m trying to glue foam to clear tubing, ive been struggling to get the foam to bond to it. What method do you recommend? I tried regular Super glue and dap contact cement. Thanks!!

Do I need the 6001 filters like is it absolutely necessary or can I use the usual common filter on respiratos?

How long does the smell of barge linger inside helmets? When is it at a safe level to wear? Or is there a safer alternative to contact cement for inside helmets? I've just started making 3D printed helmets and need to line them with EVA, and was just wondering about the toxicity.

Very helpful video. I keep hearing nasty things about Barge in terms of its toxicity and the need for ventilation. Living in a colder climate, where keeping the window open during the winter may not be feasible it seems that Barge wouldn't be an option. Is there any other way to stay ventilated, wear a respirator and use Barge in a more closed environment? I was even thinking that working in the garage, even if the temps go down to 40F would work, but I'm guessing Barge needs to be warmer to be effective. Is hot glue pretty much the only fallback for indoor winter work?

You mention writing the date that you open the package on you respirator cartridges. How long do they last? How often do you change them?

I need to glue pieces of EVA puzzle mat together edge to edge, i.e. making the interlocks permanent. It also needs to be slightly flexible, not much, but a little bit flexible. For my application It doesn't need to be super strong. Moderately strong is good enough. Is there a glue and technique that can be used? For example, could I use contact cement and slide the interlocks together before the contact cement air-dries? I realize that this bond would not be as strong as if the proper technique is used, but I don't need it to develop full strength. I just need it to stabilize the interlocks and hold them together with moderate strength. What about just plain old fashioned rubber cement?

so what should i use for a mask if most are toxic?

Thanks for the great tips, Bill! Can you tell me if superglue or contact cement would be best for gluing foam to plastic? Thanks!

With hot gule to cool it down quickly I actually find droping a bit of water on it works

When working with heat glue you can keep some aluminum foil around. When you get glue on you, touch it to the foil. It should act like a heat sync and cool quicker. I mean, you're glued to foil, but it doesn't hurt as long (it comes off easy too).

Thanks for all the great information. You a Inspired my son to start making foam costumes I am starting to buy him all stuff what glue do you recommend for kids 11 up.

Hmm, when you get back into doing projects and showing the build process to us, might I suggest a helmet with a peaked top? Think like a Norman helmet or a Morion under the comb. I see plenty for simple bowls and other styles, but I've yet to see a build process vid for a peaked top. Cheers!

Just curious, have you tried using the Barge Infinity cement product line on EVA? it's supposedly toluene free and has no VOCs, I'm just having no luck finding any of the cosplay creators talking about it. Is it in the same boat as your opinion on the less toxic weldwood product you briefly mention in this video?

can you use the thinner inside the barge gloe to make it more "watery"?

I've been using the barge glue in the little blue bottle for several years (studidly without wearing a mask, but usually just for small applications on stop-motion puppets) Even though it's toluene-free, do you still recommend using a mask and gloves with the blue version?

Have you had any experience of the EvoStik Impact adhesive? What are your thoughts compared to alternative contact cements?

I've also had success using lighter fluid to de-bond super glue

What brand of white marker do you use to draw your templates to your black Eva foam? I've tried a few and they end up skipping about a inch in. The marker you use seems to make a consistent line without much if any skipping

Hey pal, what glue do you suggest to glue 7mm EVA yoga foam matting to plywood please?

can you use camp mat eva foam its softer and spongier than the usual foam you normally use i made a hammer out of it while watching your hammer tutorial, its soft and i can hit myself without loosing conciousness

What can you use to thin contact glue if it starts to get too thick?

Dang those helmets are looking good.

Lav mic and Humpty might not place nice together. I've noticed a similar issue with my wireless earbuds and rotary tool.

My contact cement has a big ol warning label on it about turning off the main gas line before use ect, and now im terrified to use it in the house even though we dont have a pilot lite like that... I mean.... Can i use it in the house? Am i overthinking this?

I've got a question: what is the advantage of using contact cement over super glue? I know you showed your mass affect armor, but I'm not sure what the problem with it was. Thanks

do you think a thin canvas leather will stick to EVA foam using the same adhesive?

quite interesting.......... I have been using Barge for a relatively short time (2 to 2.5 years) and haven't worn a respirator. but, I don't know what any symptoms would be for whatever ill effects might be caused by not using a respirator. I have worn a dust mask from time to time, but not real respirator. also, with the Barge thinner, I have put some on a paper towel and used it to clean my hands. I am not downplaying what is said in this video in any way, just giving my experience. as a side note, when I was a teenager, I worked at a car wash that had a detail rack in the back and from time when it was time to go home, I would often wash my hands with straight paint thinner direct from the 10 gallon drum. I'm 71 now and there may be things that I experience now that may be related to that practice. and, I fully agree with photoshopdiva that posted about hot glue failing in the heat of summer. especially in AZ where I live now.

Would being in a car garage or a shed work as a ventilated area?

Are there any spray adhesives that work on EVA foam? For something like adhering pleather to the foam, rather than for construction?

I need to glue EVA foam to EPS styrene on my model railroad. Is contact cement or is there something else you can recommend? Thanks in advance.

Anyone know if “Shoe Goo” will work the same? Can’t get Barge shipped to hawaii for some reason :(

I got a 2nd degree burn from a standard hot glue gun with a high and low setting. Classic case of horrible spacial awareness and an accidental brush against a fresh laid bead of hot glue on high temp.

He really said "hello there" while wearing a Star Wars shirt 😂