applicator for thicker weldon?

[Anonymous]

OK, so I finally glued together my 24x48x48 (1/2 inch acrylic) vivarium this weekend. It came out well, but it wasn't that critical as only the bottom 4 inches will hold water.

The weldon seemed to flow into all the joints really nicely, but after drying left a fair amount of bubbles etc that I can't get more weldon to go into.

I'l like to reinforce the seal around the inside bottom edge- can I somehow run a "bead" of thicker weldon or something?

If I can, which # weldon is best for this and what is the appropriate applicator?

 

[Acrylics]

Weld-on 40 is the best thing for this application. You'll need the small kit from your local plastics distributor, a small mixing tub such as old butter container, and a syringe (10 - 30cc, no needle) from lab supply store.

HTH,
James

 

[rayman]

i would just run another beed of what ever your using now on the inside of the seams

i have done that on a few occasion where looks are not important

just remember to water test it as a full unit for a few days with some water movement in htere, i also place new tanks on tissue paper then fill, any small leaks will show on the general area of hte leak


hope that helps some

 

[spaulr]

A bead of 100% silicone always works too. That's what I'm going to do. I just finished using weld on 4 on my ~20 gallon custom. 5 minutes and 2 inches into the water test I found a spot that leaked. Not that I wasn't expecting any leaks

 

[rayman]

no silicon does not always work with acrylic

 

[spaulr]

And silicone won't work because...? The silcone won't adhere correctly.

I'm having the same problem right now with a sump I just made and others suggested using silcone for minor leaks.

Weld on 40 looks like a paste. How much of that stuff would you need to lay down to seal things up?

 

[rayman]

correct

well spaulr, you live and learn not to take every thing for granted

like i said, if its not a viewable or critical that the seem is breat looking this works but is not always pretty

run another bead on the inside of the seam, draging your needle back words towards you if you see what i'm saying

let me try again

reaching in the tank put the needle tip away from you, put it in the seam, pulling backwards towards you, place some of your 'glue' in the seam

it may not be pretty but it works, a thinker 'glue' would be better i think, but i use the same glue as its what i have .. not going to buy another type for more of my projects are for me and the seams are not seen again for years

 

[spaulr]

Rayman- thanks for your help. I'm an acrylics newb and now understand why acrylics pros charge what they do.

The other day, I used a needle applicator to make another pass of weld on 4 down the seam, but it's so thin I didn't see any noticeable change in the seam. A day later I ran a bead of weld-on 16 down the bottom seams. I'm going to fill it up again today. Hopefully, the weldon 16 did the trick. Thanks for your help.

 

[rayman]

when your wife tells you to cut down the costs of your hobby you do what you got to do ya know what i mean


np i'm no pro and acrylics may say somthign other then what i have ... hes the pro, i'm a diy on a bidget with only one type of glue

 

[Anonymous]

Thnaks all- I'll get some 40. Now if I can just remember who I order weldon from...

 

[Anonymous]

Rideout plastics- I remembered!

 

[Anonymous]

Have you posted pics of your progress anywhere Flabello?


I love the look of that dog by the way....