Why Adhesives Fail
The number one cause of adhesive failure isn’t the glue itself—it’s the surface. Oils, dust, and oxides create a barrier that prevents the adhesive from wetting out the substrate.
Step 1: Degreasing
Use a solvent like Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) or Acetone to remove oils. Wipe in one direction to lift contaminants off, rather than spreading them around.
Step 2: Abrasion
For metals and smooth plastics, lightly sanding the surface increases the surface area and creates mechanical interlocking points for the adhesive.
Step 3: Priming (Optional)
For “low surface energy” plastics like Polypropylene (PP) or Polyethylene (PE), standard glues won’t stick. A chemical primer (like RW-Primer 770) modifies the surface chemistry to allow bonding.