The Armour Archive

I was just wondering what everyone's favorite glue/cement was for use in installing padding in SCA armor. I started out using hot glue and I'm not very happy with it. It doesn't stick well when attaching foam to SS and I've tried a couple of different brands. I used 3M Super 77 the last time and it seems to work well, but I haven’t had to remove it yet so I'm not sure if that will be problematic or not. What I want is something that sticks well but doesn't leave a huge mess when it needs to be replaced. Your knowledge and experience are appreciated.
Thanks.
Ed C

Ed C wrote:I was just wondering what everyone's favorite glue/cement was for use in installing padding in SCA armor. I started out using hot glue and I'm not very happy with it. It doesn't stick well when attaching foam to SS and I've tried a couple of different brands. I used 3M Super 77 the last time and it seems to work well, but I haven’t had to remove it yet so I'm not sure if that will be problematic or not. What I want is something that sticks well but doesn't leave a huge mess when it needs to be replaced. Your knowledge and experience are appreciated.
Thanks.
Ed C

I use liquid nail. Works pretty well.

If you are going to go the foam route, let me suggest something different...velcro tabs. Lots of products will work for gluing the foam to the inside of your helm, but when it comes time to remove the foam, it gets messy. A few well place velcro tabs will kepp the foam in place and eliminate the mess.

I almost always use duct or carpet tape.

Easier to change stuff than with glue, and no drying time!

Word of advice when using liquid nail to attach padding in helms, let it air out several days before wearing it. My knight's helm was repadded using liquid nail (or similar epoxy) and wasn't aired out sufficiently. Needless to say, my knight got very sick and light headed when wearing the helm the next day. There is a reason why people burn brain cells sniffing glue. I use contact cement with velcro. I also place the velco strips at 90 degree angles to each other, that way I can easily readjust the padding to conform to my mishappen 'noggin.

Bjorn

Thanks for the replies and ideas. I'm not really worried about helms. I made a foam cap that just slides in and stays put. I was thinking more for gautlets and the inside next to my neck in my gorget. pretty small pieces that are harder to get to stay put.
Thanks again and keep them coming.

I use contact cement a lot- the Barge stuff for strong jobs, the cheap rubber cement if it's just to hold something in place until I stitch it together. Only thing to watch for is spillage- if you plan to dye some leather and haven't yet, be very careful with the stuff, since it will resist the dye where you smear it on the outside. Does allow for some adjustment when putting things together, which I like (especially if you're using the cheap stuff), and it comes right off steel with a little rubbing.

If you're talking ensolite to steel I use gaske cement from auto supply stores. You must do this ahead of time and air out the helm for a few days prior to wearing it.
It removes easily with acetone nail polish remover

hi

I glue my elbow pads in with dap contact cement... in the red can.

never lost one and I dont have a strap where my arm bends...

mrks