Best Way to Bond Wood to Fiberglass (Tips and 20 Glue Options)
There will be times where you will want to make some alterations to your RV. One example would be adding curtains where no curtain rod exists. This situation would mean you would have to attach the brackets to some wood then attach the wood to fiberglass. This is not always an easy task to do.
One would be Bondo but you would need lots of hardener to make sure the Bondo adheres to both the wood and fiberglass. Another would be PL Premium Polyurethane Construction Adhesive. But you would need a top-quality caulking gun to apply it.
To learn more about adhering wood to fiberglass, just continue to read our article. It has the information you will want to know about if you want to do the same projects. Take a few minutes to see if this information will help make your work a little easier.
Bonding Wood to Fiberglass 101
Does Fiberglass Bond To Wood?
It will if you use the right type of adhesive. Just any glue will not do and even super or crazy glue may have difficulty bonding the two products together. Liquid Nails may also not work that well and may need bolts to help it hold the wood in place.
There are some top adhesives made for this purpose and a third choice would be 3m’s 4200 Fast Cure and it can be used on the rough side of the fiberglass surface. Another 3M product that may work should be the VHB tape. It is highly recommended to make the bond permanent.
The bond will depend on how well you scar the surface of the fiberglass. You need to give the adhesive something to hold onto to make sure the bond is tight and will last a long time.
Also, the hold will depend on the quality of the adhesive. Not all adhesives are the same and even though it is made by a top brand, the hold may not be as expected.
How Well Does Fiberglass Stick To Wood?
Not well if you use the wrong adhesive. The bond will depend on how well you do the prep work and how clean the surface is. The instructions on the different products will guide you through the prep work and you do not have to press too hard when roughing up the fiberglass.
The goal is to give the adhesive something to hold onto, not damage the fiberglass. Wood is porous already so you do not have to worry so much about that surface but make sure it is clean.
You may need to drill some temporary screws into place to hold the wood in place while the adhesive dries. You want to let it completely dry before removing the screws. This will make sure the bond is very secure and holding fast.
Some people have used different adhesives that have held wood to fiberglass for over 3 years. A solid bond can be achieved when you do the work right. Just take your time and follow the instructions carefully.
How To Bond Wood To Fiberglass
There are different methods you can use. When the wood you want to use is not long enough to reach other wood features, then you are left with trying to bond the wood to the fiberglass section of your trailer or RV.
The first step is to cut the wood to fit the area where it will be glued to. You can go a bit larger than the area so that the set screws you use will not split the wood pieces or piece. Next, make sure the surfaces are clean and prepped carefully.
Fiberglass is usually smooth on one side but even the rough side may need some sandpaper to create a better hold. Just sand carefully without applying too much pressure. The smooth side will need roughing up so use a fine grit piece of sandpaper and again, not a lot of pressure.
After that is done, drill the holes for your set screws and place the screws partway into the wood. Then apply the adhesive to the surface of the wood and possibly the fiberglass section. Read the instructions to make sure you need to do both surfaces.
Once that is done, place the piece of wood in place and screw in the set screws. Those screws will hold the pieces of wood in place until the adhesive bonds. You can remove them once the adhesive has fully cured.
Before you start, make sure to cover any flooring or cabinets underneath the area you are working on. You will make a mess so it is best to have some protection in place to avoid getting your mate upset with you.
Does Gorilla Glue Bond Wood To Fiberglass?
Unless the Gorilla Glue product is made to be used with fiberglass, you should not use it at all. You can contact the company directly to see if they make an adhesive strong enough to bond wood to fiberglass or go to your local retail outlet and read the different labels.
It takes a fairly strong adhesive to bond wood to fiberglass and while Gorilla Glue is strong for some applications it may not work for them all. or have the same holding power.
Most people we have read talking about this project have stated that you should use an epoxy-type adhesive instead of regular glues. Epoxy products have very strong holding power and can dry quickly.
The best way to see if a product is made for use on fiberglass is to read the labels. Not everyone on discussion forums tells the whole truth when they say they used a regular glue when they did the same thing and had long-term success.
Will Liquid Nails Bond Wood To Fiberglass?
This product will be the same as Gorilla Glue. If it is not made to adhere to fiberglass then it will not work. Some people have said to avoid this type of product as it is not strong enough for the materials involved.
There does seem to be a Liquid Nails product, Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Panel Adhesive, but if it works on wood is another question. Read the label as all indications point to the fact that it can work.
You have to be careful when using adhesives as some will work too well and if you get them on the wrong spots, they are practically impossible to repair or clean up. The application needs to be done carefully so that you do not get the glue on the wrong areas.
Be patient as you work and make sure there are no distractions when you do this project.
What Bonds Fiberglass To Wood
There seem to be a lot of products that will complete this project and hold the two materials together securely. We have already mentioned 4 products but be careful when using polyester resin bonds. These need styrene added to the adhesive to get the wood to stick properly.
Two-part epoxies hold just about any material together and have been known to work on wood and fiberglass. Then you should check the labels of the different adhesives being sold at home improvement stores, hardware stores, and even Amazon.
There are some very powerful glues on the market and as long as they say they will work on wood and fiberglass, you should be okay. It is impossible to list all the adhesives that should work as these outlets carry any number of brands that make adhesives for both surfaces.
Just read the labels carefully to make sure.
Construction Adhesive For Fiberglass
There are many products you can buy that will work in this category. many of them are made for marine applications and while some will not adhere to wet surfaces, they can cure even when underwater.
The list includes:
- Loctite 1919324 Marine Epoxy
- The PC Product Store PC-11 80115 Adhesive
- Total-Boat Store Thixo Glue
- C-Tough Epoxy Adhesive by CECCORP
- The Karlash Store Glue Gel
- 3M Adhesive 08272 Glue
- CECCORP C-POXY Adhesive/Glue
- The Fasco Epoxies Store Epoxy Glue
- The FGCI Store ( Epoxy Glue )
Not all of these products will be easy to apply and you have to watch the conditions in which you are working under. Also, some of these products will take a long time to dry but once they do, they should have a strong bond.
Then some may not be waterproof so shower applications will be out of the question. Read the labels carefully to make sure they will work for you.
Best Epoxy For Wood To Fiberglass
Most likely, the two-part epoxies will be the best adhesives when you are bonding wood to fiberglass or vice versa. These types of adhesives will bond just about any surface when applied correctly.
You have to follow the instructions to get the right kind of hold that will last for years. Plus you have to be careful when applying the epoxy. You do not want to get it anywhere else than the sections of the materials you want to bond together.
The best brands should be in the list in the immediately above section and marine-grade may be the strongest material to use. You can try contact cement as a last resort but do not hold your breath as that may not work that well.
It is designed for non-porous surfaces but double-check before you buy.
Tips For Bonding Fiberglass To Wood
1. Look for those high-powered adhesives that are non-toxic. These may be rare and if you use toxic adhesive make sure to work in a well-ventilated area.
2. Take your time. Using very sticky adhesives is not something you rush. There are specific procedures to follow and you need to follow them step by step and in order.
3. Some of the top adhesives for wood and fiberglass are found at your marine parts and supplies stores. they are not found at the big box outlets or other retail stores.
4. Do not forget to cover those areas surrounding your working space that you do not want to get glue on. You may have to tape some plastic or sheets in place to protect all those spots. Use top masking to other tapes.
5. Make sure to do a good prep job before you apply. This project needs patience and careful work. it is not a rush job.
Does Fiberglass Strengthen Wood?
It may not strengthen the wood but it will protect it. The right application may help hold the wood in place and keep it from breaking but not always. That will depend on the strength of the fiberglass.
In other words, fiberglass may reinforce the wood but it may not strengthen it too much. With enough force, the wood may still break but not as bad as it would if there was no fiberglass attached to it.
The fiberglass may not add any strength to the joints at all. again, it will depend on the type of fiberglass you are using. It is said that the adhesive used to bond the too materials is stronger than wood so if you get any additional strength, it may come from that application.
It is hard to say as different accidents apply different pressure so the fiberglass may hold the wood together or it may crack and break with the wood.
Some Final Words
When taking on wood to fiberglass projects, it is always best to get an expert’s advice. it is also best to read the adhesive’s labels to make sure the product will work for your intended purpose. Take your time as this is not a rush job and it needs to be done cleanly.
