What epoxy to hold zip tie holders?

[theglo]

Evening folks,

I am searching for a good epoxy that can hold zip tie holders in a boat to hold wires. I need an epoxy that cures very fast (30 seconds?) and preferably one that is available in very small quantities.

Background: I am a marine electrician and often only need to put a few of these up on a job I’m working on and then I’m off to the next boat. Waiting 30 minutes for epoxy to cure doesn’t work. Waiting 5 is a stretch. Would like either an epoxy that costs less than $5 per pack, or one that I can store and re-use for at least a few weeks before it goes bad.

Thanks!

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by theglo

Evening folks,

I am searching for a good epoxy that can hold zip tie holders in a boat to hold wires. I need an epoxy that cures very fast (30 seconds?) and preferably one that is available in very small quantities.

Background: I am a marine electrician and often only need to put a few of these up on a job I’m working on and then I’m off to the next boat. Waiting 30 minutes for epoxy to cure doesn’t work. Waiting 5 is a stretch. Would like either an epoxy that costs less than $5 per pack, or one that I can store and re-use for at least a few weeks before it goes bad.

Thanks!

Not 30 seconds, but Plexus is what Weldmount and others use. The glue is thick enough to hold the empty fixture in place, and within 15 minutes it can probably hold wires. 2-3 times stronger than 5-minute epoxy and better with plastics.


Devcon Plastic Welder is Plexus MA300 in consumer packaging. $10 for a few ounces in a 2-part syringe (and NOT other brand plastic bonders--most of them are epoxy--just this specific one).


Keeps for a year in the fridge.


--


If you really want instant, try VHB tape, but it doesn't hold nearly as much and requires non-porous surfaces. Too often it fails in the heat. Also, it does not build full strength for several days.

[HopCar]

I’ve used the 3M VHB tape for mounting tie wrap holders to fiberglass/gel coat. Fast and easy.
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/v000238433/

[s/v Jedi]

The struggle

https://www.amazon.com/XHF2018-Adhes.../dp/B07M69LK65

[Tupaia]

Cordless Hot Glue Gun. Simples

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by Tupaia

Cordless Hot Glue Gun. Simples

I had glue gun glue fail over time in warmer climate.
Do you have a good brand of glue sticks you can recommend?

Sent from my MHA-L29 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Tupaia]

Originally Posted by Franziska

I had glue gun glue fail over time in warmer climate.
Do you have a good brand of glue sticks you can recommend?

Sent from my MHA-L29 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

There are numerous "specific" glue sticks.
We have used these on the boat with success Tecbond 1942

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Franziska

I had glue gun glue fail over time in warmer climate.
Do you have a good brand of glue sticks you can recommend?

Sent from my MHA-L29 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

This is for hobby and crafts hot glue guns with limited temperature melting glue. You need a glue gun that supports higher temperatures for stronger glue. There are types with a permanent bond stronger than epoxy.

I have this one, which is entry level professional use: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008CDS324

[theglo]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Not 30 seconds, but Plexus is what Weldmount and others use. The glue is thick enough to hold the empty fixture in place, and within 15 minutes it can probably hold wires. 2-3 times stronger than 5-minute epoxy and better with plastics.


Devcon Plastic Welder is Plexus MA300 in consumer packaging. $10 for a few ounces in a 2-part syringe (and NOT other brand plastic bonders--most of them are epoxy--just this specific one).


Keeps for a year in the fridge.


--


If you really want instant, try VHB tape, but it doesn't hold nearly as much and requires non-porous surfaces. Too often it fails in the heat. Also, it does not build full strength for several days.

I’ll give the Plexus stuff a try. Just worried about the set time; and the fridge storage. I keep all my tools in a work van and will definitely forget the glue in my fridge when I leave in the mornings (plus my wife may not be cool with that).

I’ve tried VHB tape but not sure I’d trust it for zip tie holding… mainly because when it fails customers call me and I have to go fix it. Which is why I’ve shied away from this in the past and mainly used screws. But, if I can find a way to not screw into a boat, that would be great.

[theglo]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

The struggle

https://www.amazon.com/XHF2018-Adhes.../dp/B07M69LK65

I’ve had no luck with these remaining attached under any kind of load, time, or vibration.

[theglo]

Originally Posted by Tupaia

Cordless Hot Glue Gun. Simples

This I’m going to look more into.

Thank you!

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by theglo

I’ll give the Plexus stuff a try. Just worried about the set time; and the fridge storage. I keep all my tools in a work van and will definitely forget the glue in my fridge when I leave in the mornings (plus my wife may not be cool with that).

I’ve tried VHB tape but not sure I’d trust it for zip tie holding… mainly because when it fails customers call me and I have to go fix it. Which is why I’ve shied away from this in the past and mainly used screws. But, if I can find a way to not screw into a boat, that would be great.

Why distrust VHB tape? It has demonstrated to be the ultimate adhesive. If it’s good enough for windows in sky scrapers then it will hold the zip tie.

Of course the surface to attach it to must be compatible. If it is smooth gelcoat or gloss paint, it will not come off. If it is a mud wall, it will probably fall off straight away (actually it is the wall that fails).

I have tested the clips I linked above to destruction. If the surface is strong enough (not rip paint off etc.) then the failure is through the foam of the VHB tape, leaving foam on both the clip and the surface. It needs a lot of force; for most I pulled the plastic to pieces.

[Matt Johnson]

MMA (Plexus) works extremely well, but it does need to be stored properly to get its max shelf life. You can get formulas that are down to under a minute bond time, but then you can only do one tie mount per mix of the two components. Best is to get around 7 minutes and just plop a few in place and wait. The viscosity of the adhesive is enough that it will hold itself and the light weight mount up until cured.