How to Glue Lucite

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Things You'll Need

  • 240-grit sandpaper

  • Isopropyl alcohol

  • Cloth

  • Thin metal wire

  • Acrylic glue

  • Syringe

Lucite, a clear plastic material made of acrylic and manufactured by Lucite International, first came on the market in the 1940s. The material appears in a wide variety of items, from walls to display cases and even hard-cover purses. Gluing Lucite is not a difficult task but requires the use of a specially formulated acrylic glue. Acrylic glue melts the Lucite slightly, creating a durable bond that holds it in place.

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Step 1

Lay the piece of Lucite down on a flat surface and sand the section to be glued using a 240-grit sandpaper. This roughs up the surface for better adhesion and ensures that the surface is perfectly flat with no bulges. Sand the other piece of Lucite at the location where it will be attached.

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Step 2

Pour 1 to 2 teaspoons of isopropyl alcohol onto a cloth and wipe the areas of Lucite that you will glue. It is extremely important to wipe away all sanding particles, as well as oil and grease, from the surface of the Lucite.

Step 3

Place the Lucite against the object you are gluing it to. Insert pieces of thin metal wire in between the two surfaces at approximately 6-inch intervals. Cut each wire piece using scissors until each piece is 3 to 4 inches long. Wire is available at most craft or floral stores.

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Step 4

Insert a thin layer of acrylic glue in between the Lucite and the other surface. If you cannot easily squirt the glue in between the surfaces using the glue bottle, fill a syringe with the acrylic glue and use the syringe to apply the glue to the Lucite.

Step 5

Wait approximately 60 seconds and then slowly remove each piece of wire from between the surfaces.

Step 6

Apply pressure to the two surfaces and allow them to dry for at least one hour before moving them.

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