When is PL Premium not PL Premium?

[Thorne]

I just discovered that there are two glues that could be called "PL Premium" :

1. PL Premium Polyurethane Construction Adhesive

2. PL Premium Polyurethane Wood Glue

http://www.stickwithpl.com/msds_new.aspx

The labels and directions look similar, so can we treat them as the same product for general boatbuilding purposes?

I've always avoided using the word "Construction" when describing PL tube glues, as they also make a (in my opinion a greatly inferior) PL Construction Adhesive -- smells awful and didn't bond well in the tube I tested.

Anyway, I know the two PL Premiums are different in looks, liquidity and containers, but are they similar enough so that we can recommend "PL Premium" to someone without risking glue failures on their part?

[abe]

Hi Thorne, Can't answer your question but I would step back a bit and ask why would you recommend PL Premium to anyone for boat building purposes?? Maybe Ok for setting up molds, strongbacks, interior joinery, etc. ?? I have never seen it used in a boat building environment; maybe I have just been in the more traditional shops. Have seen plenty of 5200 though.

abe

[Yeadon]

I've used the Construction Adhesive a handful of times above the the waterline. No complaints.

Of course, I'm just killing time like the rest of you until Smalser shows up with the correct answer.

[JimConlin]

In either case, you have exactly the same assurance of its fitness for boatbuilding.
Zilch!

[Thorne]

A number of new designs are being built with PL Premium as spec'd by their designers -- see the thread on the Summer Breeze build in Designs/Plans.

You will also see boats built with other glues than epoxy at shows where the organizers won't approve anything with that much VOC, and in youth programs where they can't (or won't) work with anything as potentially dangerous as epoxy.

I'm certainly not saying that we can or should replace all epoxy use with PL Premium. But I do use it for **some boatbuilding applications** when I think it is appropriate.

For example I'm building a small removable backrest for my dory skiff out of scrap fir. It is glued and screwed together, and I'm using PL Premium, as the bonds are large, flat, and motionless.

I'm also building a boom for my massive 38 sq. ft. mainsail. To glue the two pieces of fir together, and to glue the oak gaff jaws in place, I'm using Smith's epoxy (slow cure). Considering the flex the boom will have, and the essential nature of the bond, I'm not using PL Premium for this job.

[kc8pql]

I just discovered that there are two glues that could be called "PL Premium" :

1. PL Premium Polyurethane Construction Adhesive

2. PL Premium Polyurethane Wood Glue

http://www.stickwithpl.com/msds_new.aspx

The labels and directions look similar, so can we treat them as the same product for general boatbuilding purposes?

From just looking at their MSD sheets, there's no difference. The MSDS numbers (the whole sheet for that matter) for both products are the same.

[codfish bob]

pl premium in the caulk tube is thickened polyurethane so it won't sag.The pl in the wood glue is like pancake syrup and is for laminating without large glue lines. Either works around boats and is waterproof.Good stuff cheap. Takes 2 weeks to get the residue off your hands.Codfish

[Thorne]

Not to hijack my own thread, but did anyone notice that whereas Gorilla Glue recommends moistening the surface before gluing, PL Premium's tube directions don't mention this at all.

I also noticed that I seem to get more bubbling with PL Premium on moist surfaces than dry ones.

[dmg]

Thorne

Not especially speaking from experience with this product in boats, If I had to pick one of them, the polyurethane would be my choice. Anything listed as such is extremely durable, and highly adhesive.

As for any glue that bubbles or foams around moisture, I was always advised that the more this is the case, the more toxic are the ingredients.

Dave

[C. Ross]

Of course, I'm just killing time like the rest of you until Smalser shows up with the correct answer.

Heh. Just 'cause, I googled Smalser, PL Premium domain = woodenboatvb.com (the first 10 out of 130, excluding duplicates):

http://www.woodenboatvb.com/vbulletin/upload/showthread.php?t=64316
http://www.woodenboatvb.com/vbulletin/upload/showthread.php?p=1568453
http://www.woodenboatvb.com/vbulletin/upload/archive/index.php/t-7068.html
http://www.woodenboatvb.com/vbulletin/upload/showthread.php?t=7068
http://www.woodenboatvb.com/vbulletin/upload/showthread.php?t=9890
http://www.woodenboatvb.com/vbulletin/upload/showthread.php?t=1927

I don't think he universally endorses it. <grin>