How to Glue a Nameplate to a Chair

Assign seats with handy nameplates.

Nameplates can make implementing a seating chart simpler or help you distinguish your chair from a group of others that resemble it. These plates are often made of hard plastic, so conventional glue will not be able to permeate the nonporous surface. A two-part epoxy, made from resin and hardener, must be used to secure the plate to the wood, metal or plastic chair. With some basic tools and an epoxy mixture, you'll be able to identify your chair quickly.

Things You'll Need

• Fine-grit sandpaper
• Microfiber cloth
• Solvent
• Two-part epoxy
• Plastic spreader tool
• C-clamp tool

Instructions

1. Rub the area on the chair where you wish to attach the nameplate with a pad of fine-grit sandpaper. This will help strengthen the epoxy's adhesion.

2. Saturate a microfiber cloth with a solvent, such as acetone or isopropyl alcohol, and wipe the chair's bonding surface clean. For best results, the chair should be completely clean before epoxy application.

3. Mix the epoxy according to the instructions printed on the container. Most kits will include a small mixing bowl and stirring stick for your convenience. For maximum adhesion, ensure that the resin and hardener are completely blended together.

4. Apply a thin layer of epoxy to the back of the nameplate with your spreader tool. The coat should be even and spare; too much epoxy can result in a poor bond that weakens over time.

5. Press the nameplate onto the bonding surface of the chair. Hold it in place for three to five minutes to allow the epoxy time to set.

6. Place the jaws of a C-clamp tool over the chair and nameplate. Close the C-clamp firmly around the chair and nameplate by rotating the clamp's lever clockwise. The clamp should be snug enough to hold the two surfaces together, but not tight enough to squeeze out the epoxy or crack the nameplate.

7. Allow the epoxy to cure for the time suggested on the container, or at least 24 hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not move or sit in the chair until the epoxy has fully cured.

• Work in a well-ventilated area to avoid fumes from the epoxy.

References

• This to That Glue Advice: Plastic to Wood
• California Department of Health Services: Epoxy Resin Systems