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Double Bass Glues?

G

gerry grable

Nov 9, 2010
1,295
465
#1
I have a question as to which specific glue to use for repairing my Bose Quiet Comfort around the ear headphones. There is a clean break on the black plastic swivel/hinge that connects the over-the-head band to the left ear cup. By "clean break" I mean that when pressed together, the break virtually disappears. I'm hoping that there is a strong glue that I can use. I hesitate to grab the first glue from my junk drawer because I've had many bad experiences with gluing plastic; it often results in a gooy mess, so I want to get this right the first try.
Thanks in advance.
Gerry

I called Bose and these particular phones are no longer made. They did offer to give me a $75 discount on the $300 of the newest model on a trade in, but I hesitated. After reading articles on TB, I thought I might find a similar or better pair of another brand, at a better price.
 
#2
The best actual adhesive I've used for plastic is something I found at the hardware store called Plastic Surgery, though it can still be hit or miss. Far better than that is something that isn't exactly a glue, called Plastex. It's a powder and solvent that becomes part of whatever you're fixing (you can actually recreate missing segments with it. However, you'd need some space for it to inhabit, so such a clean break might have to be opened up. It's also somewhat pricey.

Best first step, I think, would be to find out exactly what type of plastic it's made from, because not all adhesives work with all plastics (else how could they come in a plastic bottle?).
 
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#4
filmtex said:
Hit up a hobby shop and find some CA (cyanoacrylate or super glue) made specifically for plastic. Have the guy behind the counter help you- they're usually pretty good about which version works best. Oh, take the phones with you so he can make sure you get the exact formulation. That's what I'd do.
Click to expand...
Thanks guys. Without being a chemist , I can't see how one differentiates among various kinds of plastics.
 
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#6
filmtex said:
Believe it or not it’s not too difficult do distinguish between the various common ones.
Click to expand...
I went to a hobby store. No one knew anything about plastics, but the girl suggested E6000 glue. I tried some on a spot on the head phones. It didn't dissolve the plastic at least, but it scraped off with a little effort of my thumb nail and didn't leave a mark after about 12 hours. I wonder if it will work? Should I give it a try?
 
#7
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#12
gerry grable said:
I went to a hobby store. No one knew anything about plastics, but the girl suggested E6000 glue. I tried some on a spot on the head phones. It didn't dissolve the plastic at least, but it scraped off with a little effort of my thumb nail and didn't leave a mark after about 12 hours. I wonder if it will work? Should I give it a try?
Click to expand...

FYI
I tried this glue. It works but it doesn't dry hard. The glue joint bends a little like a hinge. I'm glad it doesn't dissolve the plastic. I'll use the headphones ( it ain't broke ) until the "hinge" gives. Then I'll scrape it off and try one of the other suggested glues.
Thanks.
 
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#15
gerry grable said:
Thanks guys. Without being a chemist , I can't see how one differentiates among various kinds of plastics.
Click to expand...
It’s not that tough. The major difference is poly family plastics will not respond well to most glues made for plastics so it is important to insure your (non solvent) glue is made for polypropyleen type plastics.
Look at the joint, if the faces of the break appear grainy most any glue will work. If they are smooth you may need a poly friendly glue.
That said, there are several new plastic glues that claim to work on all plastics. If you choose one of those it would still be a good idea to inaure it’s good for poly plastics.
You can always use a two part catalytic epoxy and some type of sleeve brace like electrical shrink tube.
Bose wouldn’t sell you a repair part?
 
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#16
77A43D17-CB71-447C-9015-FC84B41376A0.jpeg
fhm555 said:
It’s not that tough. The major difference is poly family plastics will not respond well to most glues made for plastics so it is important to insure your (non solvent) glue is made for polypropyleen type plastics.
Look at the joint, if the faces of the break appear grainy most any glue will work. If they are smooth you may need a poly friendly glue.
That said, there are several new plastic glues that claim to work on all plastics. If you choose obe of those it would still be a good idea to inaure it’s good for poly plastics.
You can always use a two part catalytic epoxy and some type of sleeve brace like electrical shrink tube.
Bose wouldn’t sell you a repair part?
Click to expand...
Bose has discontinued the model I have. I went with Gorilla Super Glue and it’s been working fine. It looks a little sloppy, but aesthetics aside it’s functional. Now I have to get a new pair of the ear muffs.
Thanks for the advice.
 
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