What's the best glue for EVA deck pads

damel · Joined: 15 Jul 2007 Posts: 247

One of my EVA foam deck pads started to peel off yesterday. It is the top layer of less dense foam that lays on top of another sheet of denser foam. I was wondering if anyone knows what the best glue is to lock it back down for life.

Luckily I have another similar wave board I can use while the foam gets nice and dry.

kevinkan · Joined: 07 Jun 2001 Posts: 1661 Location: San Francisco

a good toluene-based contact cement. i use Weldwood classic. make sure you don't get the water-based version.

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

The consensus in past threads on this topic is Barge Cement.
However, because I seal the edges of pads with a fine bead of Welder's Adhesive applied straight from the tube in just seconds, my pads NEVER lift even with water-based Weldwood.

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swchandler · Joined: 08 Nov 1993 Posts: 10588

Kevin is spot on in his recommendations. I would add that it's important to prepare both surfaces being bonded to ensure a long lasting quality job. That means removing any deck texture or residual bonding agent on any of the surfaces to be bonded. I have found that using a single edge razor blade does a great job of removing any deck texture right up to the border of the anticipated pad perimeter. Follow up with a good sanding to establish a clean foundation, and you're good to go with confidence that the contact cement will give you a virtually permanent bond.

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

I have never bothered to remove the old residue. I ADD pads on top of other pads if my objective is more padding, just lift the loose section of pads I want to repair and shove Barge Cement in there and let it dry propped open with a toothpick, or just rip the old ones off and glue on new pads over the residue if that's my objective. As long as any residue is not great big thick chunks, I can never tell the difference ... not in look, feel, or durability. I've padded many scores of decks for 25 years with anywhere from 1 to 8 sections of padding in different places with not even ONE lifting edge yet.

KISS.

rigitrite · Joined: 19 Sep 2007 Posts: 520 Location: Kansas City

Kevin's suggestion is what I would consider "best practice". Weldwood toluene based contact cement. Proper surface prep. is important, but it's not hard at all. BTW, if you buy the 1 pint can, clean the sealing surfaces, and don't mangle the lid when you take it off, it'll last for years....literally! I still use the can I've had for like.....ten years!

I have no idea what isobars is talking about, as soon as he starts a diatribe, I just hear Charlie Browns teacher: "Mwah Mawp maaaw maaaw maaaww....."

coachg · Joined: 10 Sep 2000 Posts: 3550

What Kevin said. Can't go wrong with contact cement. It's also what Eva the Board Lady recommends.

Coachg

cgoudie1 · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 10:22 am Post subject:

I'm still a Barge Cement guy. Pretty sure that's just a formulation
of contact cement, with a cool name ;*)

-Craig

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

JamesHardy · Joined: 29 Mar 2002 Posts: 159

Yep, Kevin's right brush on contact cement is the way to go.