Retailers guide on choosing the correct adhesive for DIY projects

Q: For DIY projects involving plastic materials, selecting the right adhesive is crucial to ensure a strong and lasting bond. What type of adhesives should retailers recommend to their customers for the best results? 

A: Sika recommends two products when it comes to all things sealing and bonding and we break it down into two bonding categories: Flexible and Rigid. 

For flexible bonding we would recommend our product Sikaflex-11 FC. This product has been the professionals’ favourite multi-tool for sealing and bonding for over 50 years. 

Sikaflex-11 FC+ is an all in one, multipurpose elastic adhesive, and joint sealant with very good application properties which bonds and seals most construction material substrates. This product can be used on wall casing and landscaping, window and door sills, stair casings, decorative elements, and signs, interior sealings etc. 

How to use the product: preparation and priming 

· Substrate must be clean, dry, homogeneous, free from oils, grease, dust and loose particles 

· Clean substrate with Sika Aktivator-205 (or acetone) as per data sheet 

· Prime porous substrates with Sika Primer-3 N as per data sheet 

· Prime PVC with Sika Primer-215 as per data sheet. 

Q: Material such as metal require adhesive qualities that are very strong and long lasting. Bonding metal-to-metal or metal-to-plastic or metal-to-glass requires specific quality adhesives that are efficient and durable. What type of adhesives should retailers recommend to their customers for the best results? 

A: For a more rigid bonding solution, we recommend Sikadur AP. This easy to mix and apply adhesive paste is used for general bonding and patching. Best used on bricks, concrete, wood, ceramics, and metal. It can be applied to damp surfaces and is ideal for vertical and overhead applications. Sikadur AP can be smoothed off with water and has a convenient 1 to 1 mixing ratio. 

How to use the product: preparation and priming 

• Sound, clean, free from oil and grease, old coatings and surface treatments, etc· Concrete, mortar, stone should be prepared by high pressure water jetting or mechanical means (grinding, chiselling etc) 
• Proportion equal amounts by volume of both components into a suitable, clean mixing container. Depending on the volume, mix thoroughly using a large spatula or a slow speed drill (set at 400-600rpm) with a clean, rust free, mixing paddle until the two components are evenly blended to a uniform colour (minimum three minutes). 
• Use immediately. 

Starlite application (Image:Supplied)

More adhesives 

Apart from the above-mentioned adhesives, Sika also recommends the adhesives below as solution for some of your customers’ needs. 

Sikaflex-11 FC+ 

• Bonding of windowsills, thresholds, staircase steps, baseboards, panels, prefabricated elements, concrete or terracotta tiles, tiling 
• Sealing of acoustic insulation, for caulking between elements, for filling joints 
• Repairing of cracks or filling in gaps on the outside of walls. 

Sikaflex-112 Crystal Clear 

• Transparent joint sealing 
• Invisible bonding of decorative materials 
• Bonding of hooks 
• Bonding mosaic tiles to walls, exterior. 

Sikaflex-113 Rapid cure 

• Bonding of metal fitting rods to metal claddings 
• Bonding of isolation plates to a pipe 
• Bonding of plastic parts to metal furniture 
• Bonding of paper dispenser on glazed wall tiles. 

Sikabond-115 Strong Fix 

• Bonding of stucco elements to interior walls and sealings 
• Bonding of skirting boards 
• Bonding of gypsum boards to wooden frames 
• Bonding of interior windowsills 
• Bonding of panels, terracotta tiles, anodized aluminium, hard PVC profiles, polystyrene mouldings and ceiling tiles. 

Sikaflex-118 Crystal Clear 

• Bonding stone facing to pillars 
• Bonding of bricks, windows and door sills, wood beams and heavy landscaping coverings 
• Bonding of mirrors 
• Bonding cupboards to walls 
• Bonding flowerpots on wall. 

Sanisil 

• For sanitary or other sealing applications 
• For applications where fungi and mildew resistance are required, such as basins, showers, toilets, baths, etc Bath and Kitchen Sealant. 

Sikacryl S

• For sealing of indoor connection joints with low movements on surfaces 
• For interior and sheltered exterior crack filling 
• Indoor connection joints, around windows, windowsills, doors, pvc pipes, dry walls, and ceilings, etc. 

Sika Boom S 

• Filling gaps and voids that occur around the home 
• Blocking out dust, noise, drafts, and vermin 
• Installation of window and door frames 
• Insulation of pipes. 

Sikasil Pool 

• Joints in and around swimming pools 
• Areas under permanent water immersion and frequently wet areas such as shower rooms in sports halls or leisure facilities 
• Between ceramics, tiles, concrete, glass, metals, and other typical building substrates.