For attaching a stainless steel plaque, “glue” is a well trusted option when done right. Here is a guide for how to glue your stainless steel plaque to most surfaces so it stays put.
Materials
- Brush to clear away dust
- Cleaning rags
- Isopropyl
- Fine grit sandpaper
- Adhesive (see below)
- Gaulk gun (if adhesive required one)
- Clamps or weight (to hold plaque after gluing)
- Plywood (to protect from clamps or weight)
| Thing you are gluing to | Recommended Glue |
| Metals Metal primers & paint coatings Ceramic materials Plastics | Sikaflex Multi-Purpose Adhesive |
| MDF Particleboard Timber Plasterboard Styrene foam Masonry Ceramics Metals Rubber Glass | Selleys Liquid Nails Adhesive |
1. Prepare surfaces
Make sure the plaque will fit in the area you have decided to put it by placing it in the area without glue.
A completely flat surface is ideal but you may be able still stick it to uneven surfaces if you can add enough glue behind to fill in the gaps.
We recommend using some sand paper on the back of the stainless steel plaque to make sure the glue will have more to hold on to.
Brush off any dust and wipe over with isopropyl to remove any residues or oils.
Also clean the surface you plan to apply the plaque to.
Make sure both are fully dry.
2. Glue
Follow the directions on the packet of glue on how to open the glue.
You will want to evenly spread the glue on the stainless steel plaque first, then place it where you desire.
Most Liquid Nails products take 15 minutes to set but 7 days to fully cure. Avoid using the surface for 7 days.
3. Clamp
It can be beneficial to clamp the plaque down with either clamps or a weight. This will help keep it in place for the duration of the glue setting and also help remove pockets of air in the glue.
You may want to protect the plaque from the clamps or weight with a piece of plywood.
4. Clean up
If you need to remove Liquid Nails from a surface after it has dried, use a hair dryer to heat the dried-out adhesive and scrape it off with a putty knife
If you get any glue on your hands, wipe off as much as you can. Then use one/some of the following to help remove the glue:
- Isopropyl
- Vinegar
- Petroleum Jelly
- Hand lotion
- Acetone