Bondic is Great!
Lets start with this statement: Bondic is Great! And then lets get some disclaimers out of the way...
1) Bondic will not replace superglue or epoxy in every situation.
2) It is not as strong as quality epoxy, and as it is not a true adhesive, it will not work well unless there are edges or texture for it to grab -this is why they recommend roughing the surface prior to application-.
3) It is NOT ideal for repairing clean breaks as it is not a true adhesive like super-glue and if it does not have edges and texture to grab onto it will not hold well. Also, if your material is opaque, getting the Bondic in the middle of the crack to cure may prove very difficult, as it has to be hit with Ultraviolet light in order to cure.
4) It still doesn't stick to polypropylene, nothing commercially available really does, but with the right texture it's as good or better than anything else you can buy in the store.
So, what is this Bondic stuff all about?
Bondic is an instant-UV-cure filler material with some adhesive properties. What this means in practice is that Bondic combines the best features of a liquid adhesive like superglue, a paste adhesive like epoxy and a filler like caulk. In it's un-cured state Bondic is a relatively thin, clear liquid that flows easily into tight spaces and forms around odd shapes (like you get in cracks and breaks in splintered plastic), but with just enough viscosity to not run all over the place, it looks and behaves very much like gel-style super glues when first squeezed out. That all changes when you hit it with the Ultraviolet LED, and it (nearly) instantly becomes a durable, clear polymer! you can fill large gaps by building up layers of the stuff, and you can sand and cut the cured material like it were soft plastic, which it essentially is. On materials with a rough, porous surface the bond strength seems quite high, but on smooth non-porous surfaces it will flake off quite readily. you also need to be aware that Bondic won't do a good job of holding your pieces in place until it gets hit with the UV, and you will need to be able to hold your working pieces in place. I've used it to tack some things onto unfinished fiberglass (a rough, and porous material) with excellent results, and have used it in place of electrical tape and heat-shrink tubing to insulate wire junctions, I have fixed a tail-light lens, sealed a leaky wire-passthrough in a "waterproof" speaker, stuck a hanger wire onto a small lamp housing, and more! I haven't tested the claim that it "works underwater" but based on the technology involved it probably does, you just have to be sure all the water has been pushed OUT of your intended joint before you cure.
One caution: Bondic is cured by Ultraviolet light, and if you are working outside on a sunny day you can expect the rays of the sun to begin to cure your project AND cause build-up on the applicator nozzle in a few minutes. Shade your work area if you want to avoid this happening.
Overall Bondic is a very nice addition to my toolbox and junk drawer, and is useful in a wide variety of small repair and construction projects. It's a little expensive, and could be considered a "novelty" as everything it does can be accomplished with other less expensive materials if you are patient, but it really is neat and functional stuff and although you might not wonder "how did I ever live without this?" you'll certainly hope it gets less expensive so you can use it with more abandon.
| Brand | BONDIC |
|---|---|
| Specific Uses For Product | Commercial/Residential, General Purpose |
| Material | plastic |
| Compatible Material | Wood, Ceramic, Leather, Plastic, Metal, Rubber |
| Item Form | Liquid |
| Special Feature | Waterproof |
| Color | No Color |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Package Information | Tube |
| Item Volume | 4 Milliliters |
| Full Cure Time | 4 Seconds |
| Water Resistance Level | Waterproof |
| Manufacturer | BONDIC |
| Part Number | BONDICBOGOBULK |
| Item Weight | 0.1 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 9.5 x 4.75 x 0.75 inches |
| Item model number | BONDICBOGOBULK |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Metal batteries required. |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | No Size |
| Special Features | Waterproof |
| Included Components | Bondic LED UV Liquid Plastic Welding Adhesive Complete Starter Kit |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Battery Cell Type | Lithium Metal |
| Warranty Description | Warranty |
