Which is the best way to adhere fabric to plastic?

Question

I am going to be decorating some plastic shelves with fabric. Should I use Tacky Glue, super glue, or a hot glue gun??

Answer 1

You might try a double-faced fabric tape, or spray on adhesive. Super glue just makes fabric hard and stiff, and discolors it. Hot glue might not adhere to the plastic and I don't think tacky glue would either, over the long run I think it would just come loose. I would go with the tape. You can also take it off easily when you want to change it.

Answer 2

Glue Fabric To Plastic

Answer 3

If you're adhering the fabric to the entire shelf, I wouldn't use superglue unless you get a couple bottles of the kind that has a brush. Otherwise, it's really tough to spread evenly and you'll get lots of ridges and bubbles in the fabric. If you're just gluing to the sides of the shelf, the super glue would probably work fine.

My suggestion would be to use fabric tack or tacky glue or even Elmer's glue and apply a very thin layer with a paint sponge (the kind with a handle). Line up the fabric with the shelf and smooth the entire surface with a roller (get at a craft store or use a rolling pin or something similar).

As the pp suggested, I would lightly sand the shelf first, with a very low grit sand paper or even an emery board. You don't want to create ridges in the plastic, just remove any shiney finish.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Gluing Fabric To Plastic

Answer 5

Sand the plastic to make it rough, and then use a very thin layer of super glue. Hot glue will melt the plastic and make it awfully bumpy under your fabric.
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Answer 6

You best bet really is a spray on adhesive. If you really don't want to purchase that then use tacky glue. Super glue won't hold and hot glue will leave bumps.