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Good Questions: The Right Glue for an HM Chair?

6-1-herman-miller.jpgHello AT,

I have a vintage Herman Miller chair that's come unglued where the rubber meets the wood. Any suggestions on what kind of glue I could use to reattach would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks, Patty

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Comments (9)

Try this site. You enter what material you want to stick and to what. Then it gives you some options and info about each option (i.e. toxicity, time to adhere and where to find).

http://www.thistothat.com/

posted by dorothy on June 1st 2007 at 5:58am
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My daughter recently broke one of mine (the rubber snapped off from the wood) and I used Gorilla glue, and so far, so good. You have to wet one surface with a little water, and then put a thin layer of the glue on the other surface, and clamp them together. With mine, it was the seat that broke off, and I just used a bunch of art history books as a weight. Properly clamping is key, though. Good luck!

posted by Paris on June 1st 2007 at 5:59am
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Some (hopefully) helpful hints.

Before anything, go and get yourself some high quality marine epoxy paste. I use PC-7, a 2-part epoxy that is available in most Ace Hardware stores

step one: prepare the surfaces by cleaning/sanding both the neoprene shock mount and the wood veneer where the mount attaches (I suggest removing the seat back from the frame to facilitate this process).

step two: thoroughly mix the two epoxy components and apply a small amount to both surfaces, being careful NOT to spread it to the edges...a little goes a long way! You might consider masking the area outside the shallow hole on the seat back with painters tape in case you get a little too much epoxy. Clean up any excess immediately (see directions for clean-up on the epoxy package).

step three: making sure that you have seated the shock mount in the correct position, use a piece of painters tape to secure the mount while the epoxy cures.

step four: have a beer and wait 24 hours!

Best of luck and enjoy your chair again!

posted by monstermustdie on June 1st 2007 at 6:07am
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I second Gorilla Glue- that'll stick just about any material to wood. Be careful though- as it reacts, it can bubble out if you put too much on. Have a damp rag ready to wipe it away if this happens. If you let the bubbled out glue harden, it is nearly impossible to get off.

posted by Mark on June 1st 2007 at 6:08am
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Gorilla glue is the best!!!

posted by BklynTee on June 1st 2007 at 6:52am
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I second the 2-part epoxy. But compared to everything else I've tried, 2-part epoxy is forever.

In fact the guy who did my antique restorations uses a special 2-part epoxy that he says was developed for the aircraft industry. He uses that because he guarantees his work for life. The guy does top notch work too. (American Craftsmen, Portland, OR - not related, just a happy customer).

posted by boomer on June 1st 2007 at 8:47am
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2-part epoxy for sure. Just check the packaging for dry times and specifics about the materials it's made for. I doubt you'll find a better solution.

posted by Pete on June 1st 2007 at 10:32am
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Use the PC7. Gorilla is brittle and it will crack with time as don't let it flex.

posted by joel maria pirela on June 1st 2007 at 3:01pm
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Actually, you don't want to use a glue that is stronger than the materials you are bonding in this case. If it breaks again, where do you want it to break? The plywood, rubber, or the glue?

posted by bc on June 1st 2007 at 3:33pm
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