Can you glue composite decking to wood or it to itself like trex?

I had to find out for myself, but can you glue trex together or to wood with regular wood glue? If this is an experiment you want to see more of, let me know and I can do more.
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[@RetreatfarmFarmvilleVirginia]

I Just use a biscuit joiner whenever the wood parts are thick enough to center a biscuit in there. You can make biscuits out of composite material on a table saw and harden them in some aluminum foil on your grill for about 5 minutes or just glue them with Gorilla glue straight together.

[@GearheadDaily]

I have both a biscuit and domino. I love the festool

[@olesarge1724]

That Trex is made from recycled polypropylene. There is glue for that but in some cases it can be plasti- welded. Like in auto body shops they use a specialized adhesive for doing plastic.

[@GearheadDaily]

I knew there was something that would make it work, I guess i was more curious about wood glue... which didn't work LOL Thanks buddy

[@joras7457]

Let try PVC cement

[@steadyeddie7453]

@@joras7457 Did you try it? Results?

[@steadyeddie7453]

I assume you are referring to "solvent" welding similar to joining PVC where the solvent softens the PVC thus bonding the 2 pieces together forever? Hoping someone has tried this and will respond. Yes,Trex is recycled plastic, and also wood, all mixed with a resin then formed. So its tricky trying to bond all these materials with one adhesive. Maybe the Project Farm guy will tackle it. Lol.

[@SQLKC]

Looking for something like this myself. I have scraps I would like to stack/glue some to turn on the lathe to make a bowl and can tell you wood glue is a nogo for this stuff. I am going to test with polyurethane glue next but I am going to run the pieces over the joiner to get the it flat and hope a good glue joint. I think the outer skin is an issue with the glue as well, need to get to the meat of the product in order for this to work.

[@GearheadDaily]

Ya it was worth the experiment but it didn't work. I've heard that plastic adhesives work, hell... 3M stuff sticks to everything or maybe even epoxy might do it.

[@steadyeddie7453]

I agree that the outer skin is the biggest problem. I have found that most anything with a shiny surface will have a hard time bonding, and generally fail. As you stated you have to get to the inner core. But the core is still a mix of resins, plastics, and wood. I am trying to end glue pieces with no luck. Thinking something that will soften or melt the material like solvent welding PVC. How did your poly glue test work out?

[@SQLKC]

@@steadyeddie7453 ya I tossed out my scrap, could not find anything that would hold well enough for spinning on the lathe safely. Tried many different types of gule and they all failed under stress of the lathe and cutting tools.

[@peterford9369]

I wanted to know if you could use regular wood glue for bonding real wood to composite decking. I'm basically looking to build a couple of short walls, 18 inches high, roughly 3 1x6 deck pieces, using a pine 1x6 for tying them together. Maybe using a few drywall screws before glue sets. Your demonstration shows unless you throw a sledge at it it would work. Trying to make it simple, kinda a favor job. I know wood glue soaks into real wood but composite is plastic or the like. Maybe gorilla glue. Thanks.

[@GearheadDaily]

If I would do this again, I'd use epoxy glue

[@peterford9369]

@@GearheadDaily Did you try epoxy in any of your waste piece experiment? Wood have been curious to see if a sudden strike would separate the pieces. I do sure know that regular carpenter glue is actually as strong as the wood it's bonded to. And the waterproof glue works great on anything that is outside. Thanks for answering 👍

[@lemmegetone]

Good experiment. Im trying clear gorilla glue with dowels in my pvc miter joints

[@GearheadDaily]

That would probably do it.

[@theanomalous1401]

I'm of the opinion that no matter what the material is, a simple butt joint is going to give you the same result, regardless of the type of adhesive. JB Weld notwithstanding of course. I'd be interested to see the same experiment with complex joints since you seem to have taken up the mantle of the #WizardofWood #LordofLumber #Thorwitha2x4

[@GearheadDaily]

Greg, in most cases, wood glue (when used on wood LOL!) is actually stronger than the wood its glued to. I trust wood glue over screws or nails. End grain gluing is problematic .

[@theanomalous1401]

@@GearheadDailyYou're correct about the end grain gluing. I remember back in wood shop that lap, or tongue and groove joints provided nice,strong bonds on many of my projects. I see your content is attracting some really interesting viewers. Perhaps I should reconsider using phrases like"Tounge and Groove" for it may result in a KZbin strike? #DontFeedtheTrolls

[@GearheadDaily]

@@theanomalous1401 LOL, i'd hope they are smart enough to know whats an innuendo and whats a legit title ;)

[@SQLKC]

@@GearheadDaily Tied up with another project but will try to get around to testing with the polyurethane glue next week. My project will be different being top of the board and stacking boards on top of each other.

[@GearheadDaily]

@@SQLKC Sounds good let me know :)

[@markabrice]

How about a redo using some kind of construction adhesive?

[@GearheadDaily]

That's not a bad idea. Epoxy was another

[@tedspens]

I'm going to try sanding with 40 grit to get deep scratches then bond with marine epoxy. Think that'll work? Lovely chair by the way. Thanks for the test.

[@GearheadDaily]

Epoxy seems to stick to everything! let me know if it works.

[@tedspens]

@@GearheadDaily Will do! 👍

[@jeredmattson9]

how did this work??

[@tedspens]

@@jeredmattson9 I never got around to it, been too busy with my work. Honestly, though, I doubt it would be a good bond. I think the only way to bond trex to itself is by melting the surfaces together.

[@mikewazowski350]

There is a glue that the county uses to attach warning signs to the storm drain (no trash down storm drain) and I see a type of glue used to attach no-slip bumpy squares on the sidewalks (where they meet the road). That glue is thick and gray. It holds them very well. I think it is a type of landscaping chalk. Also, would PVC glue or something else work on this type of plastic? My understanding is that they recycle some plastics to make these boards.

[@GearheadDaily]

Good call, I think there is a composite glue that does work for both. I can't think of it, maybe a 3M product.

[@mikewazowski350]

@@GearheadDaily I am going to try LN-3000 FUZE*IT - Originally I thought the LN-2000 would work, but it won't bond TREX planks. LIQUID NAILS® FUZE*IT® MAXTM (LN-3000) interior and exterior all-purpose construction adhesive delivers the strongest bond from start to finish* with both exceptional grab and long-term strength. Fuze*It Max sets the new standard for adhesives. This advanced adhesive provides the strongest performance* no matter the job, by combining exceptional hold & instant initial grab with outstanding long-term strength. Fuze*It Max adhesive utilizes hybrid technology to bond nearly everything to everything in any weather condition.

[@mikewazowski350]

So I tried Gorilla Glue and PVC glue, and neither of them worked. I clamped them for 12 hours and it did not even set. The PVC glue discolored the plastic and the Gorilla Glue was hard but I could peel it right off the plank.

[@GearheadDaily]

@@mikewazowski350 Interesting. thanks for lettign me know

[@mikewazowski350]

So I tried Gorilla Glue Heavy Duty Ultimate. I put a generous amount of glue in the middle and clamped it for two days. I'm still trying to get it to separate. I tried with a hammer and vice and couldn't get it to separate. I'm going to try a crow bar and hammer next.

[@steadyeddie7453]

In my experience most anything with a shiny surface like your scrap test pieces will have a hard time bonding. My question is what can be used to end glue composite material? I have deck rails that are 2 piece due to their length and I scarf jointed them with a metal plate and screws on the underside but seasonal weather changes produce a gap as much as 3/8". Since the ends are mostly inner core material of resins, plastics, and wood, I am wondering if there is a product that will attach these ends without failing? I am guessing something that will melt the material similar to the way you solvent weld PVC. Anyone out there with a success story? Thanks for the video.

[@GearheadDaily]

I've been told that some epoxy glues work well with this type of material

[@drewjohnson4673]

You sound smart enough to have not begun your experiment with wood glue.

[@GearheadDaily]

I had 2 pieces together and was worth a try. *shrug*

[@drewjohnson4673]

@@GearheadDaily Gotcha ! kind of a backhanded compliment.

[@GearheadDaily]

@@drewjohnson4673 haha ya i got that, no worries. I didn't know the answer and had the pieces right in front of me, so i thought, eh... give it a try.