Help attaching Velcro to rubber

[Darthikari]

Hello everyone! I’ve had a reoccurring problem with my builds. A few years ago I had purchased rubber boot straps for my Mudtrooper costume, and I attempted to use self-adhesive Velcro to attach them to the boots. They worked well for a few days, but then the adhesive turned slimy and the straps fell off. I eventually ended up stapling the Velcro on, and it’s held reasonably well…

Fast forward to now, once again I purchased a set of rubber costume accessories, and once again, I tried a heavy duty stick on Velcro , and a few days later the addition failed and the parts fell off…..

Is there a go-to way of fusing Velcro to a smooth cast flexible rubber part? Thanks!!!

 

[moviebuff5]

I have used e-6000 adhesive on rubber with varying degrees of success depending on the rubber type.
Shoe Goo and Barge both say they are for bonding to rubber, but I have never tried them.

 

[Duncanator]

I would try rubber cement - Barge and Shoe Goo being a few brands.
I have a feeling that there may be a chemical reaction happening between the rubber and the adhesive.
There is also the challenge of attaching something no-stretchy (velcro) to something stretchy/flexible (rubber).
Every time it flexes or stretches, the adhesive has to gets released a little bit.
If it doesn't look bad, a mechanical bond like sewing, riveting or stapling might be the best way to go.

 

[JPH]

Hello everyone! I’ve had a reoccurring problem with my builds. A few years ago I had purchased rubber boot straps for my Mudtrooper costume, and I attempted to use self-adhesive Velcro to attach them to the boots. They worked well for a few days, but then the adhesive turned slimy and the straps fell off. I eventually ended up stapling the Velcro on, and it’s held reasonably well…

Fast forward to now, once again I purchased a set of rubber costume accessories, and once again, I tried a heavy duty stick on Velcro , and a few days later the addition failed and the parts fell off…..

Is there a go-to way of fusing Velcro to a smooth cast flexible rubber part? Thanks!!!

Sil-poxy.
Also, I would try a few stiches in the rubber to the fabric. Like 45degree angle in the corners

 

[Darth Lars]

What kind of rubber is it?

If it is natural rubber, then some products are not good. However, if it is made of natural rubber, then the best type of product might be .. natural rubber, in the form of liquid latex.
It can seep through fabric, bonding around the threads and provide a perfect bond with other rubber, provided that the rubber is natural rubber and is clean. Just don't let it seep through the velcro completely and don't spill any on any fabric where you don't want it.

 

[smithjohnj]

DuraGrip and Velcro self-adhesive tapes both use a rubber cement. It is counterintuitive, but rubber cement is not the best for permanently adhering rubber. The major advantage fo rubber cement is longer "open" time and an ability to reposition a contact before the bond sets. A contact cement is a better choice. As has been mentioned Barge All-Purpose Cement has been a good choice for me. DAP also makes a good contact cement.

 

[asalaw]

I would absolutely go with Barge. I've used it to adhere non-adhesive velcro to several props and it's held firm for nearly 20 years.

 

[Darthikari]

Thanks everyone! I’m going to try the Barge cement and see how it goes!