How to Glue Hair to Styrofoam

Styrofoam is sensitive to harsh chemicals and adhesives.

According to This to That, an adhesive advice group, Styrofoam is a plastic that is whipped up and set into its fluffy shape. This type of material requires careful adhesive techniques so that you do not erode the Styrofoam in the gluing process. Whether you are attaching an acrylic weave to a Styrofoam frame or applying a natural fiber hair to a Styrofoam base, a few basic techniques and some careful application will ensure that your project remains stable and lasts for a long time.

Things You'll Need

• Large alligator clips
• Hot glue gun

Instructions

1. Clip a chunk of hair in a large alligator clip about 2 inches below the cut edge of the hair where you will place the glue. Create a thin, flat section of hair that will sit evenly within the length of the body of the alligator clip. Place a few alligator clips down the length of the hair to keep extra hair from getting in the way while you are gluing.

2. Turn on your hot glue gun and allow it to heat up completely. Place an even line of glue on the underside of the hair just above where you placed the original alligator clip. The goal is to place an even amount of glue along the back of the hair so that all of the hair fibers will have some adhesive on them.

3. Press the line of hot glue onto the Styrofoam, pushing down along this glue line for a few seconds before releasing.

4. Repeat the previous steps with another thin section of hair. To create an even effect, be sure to place the next hair piece about one-half inch above the previous hair section. Work from the bottom to the top of the Styrofoam to allow the hair to cascade down as you glue.

Tips & Warnings

• Test the hot glue on a spare piece of Styrofoam before applying it to the final project.

• Practice gluing acrylic hair pieces that have been sewn together along one edge.

References

• This to That: Styrofoam to Plastic
• The Complete Peruke Guide: How to Glue in Hair Extensions