Upholstery Bonding Tips (Frame to Foam)

Whether crafting commercial or bespoke furniture, knowing the most efficient way to upholster can profoundly impact your workflow and the quality of your final product. 

As a trusted supplier to numerous sofa manufacturing, upholstery, and furniture companies, Adkwik understands the countless challenges manufacturers contend with when working with adhesive. In this article, we’ll run through helpful technical advice and highlight our top-tier products to make your glue application faster, safer, and more cost-efficient.

Choosing the Right Upholstery Glue 

Browse the vital areas in which you can improve your upholstery process.

The Performance:

You need a glue that demonstrates excellent performance from its initial application through the entire lifespan of the final product, ensuring unparalleled quality and enduring longevity. Bonds must also be robust but flexible, able to withstand pressure and movement.

The Speed: 

Opt for a fast-acting glue that propels production without compromising efficiency.

Compliance with HSE regulations: 

Safety and regulatory compliance with Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) regulations is non-negotiable for responsible manufacturers. Invest in adhesives that guarantee compliance for peace of mind.

The Cost-Efficiency: 

In addition to selecting glue that’s good value for money, optimise adhesive application through adopting new equipment, techniques, and efficient training. Evaluating these areas will also conserve glue and minimise the need for corrections.

Practical Upholstery Solutions for Bonding Foam to Frames 

Review our tips and product recommendations to streamline your upholstery process.

1. Surface Preparation

Cleanliness is paramount. Ensure surfaces are free of dust, dirt, and grease by thoroughly cleaning the foam and frame surfaces before applying adhesive. 

2. Select the Right Upholstery Glue

Choose an adhesive specifically designed for bonding foam to frames, such as hot melt glue or spray contact adhesive.

Hot Melt Glue: 

Hot melt adhesives are excellent for bonding foam to frames. They’re fast-curing, non-toxic, and incredibly easy to apply. We recommend Timbond H509 as it has high-strength properties and remains permanently tacky, ideal for precise assembly and flexibility.

This quality of hot melt glue also eliminates the need to staple foam to frames. By cutting out this step, you can simplify the procedure and prevent common issues like crumpling and dimpling of the foam. The result? A more voluminous and neatly finished sofa with excellent structural integrity. This superior end product boosts customer satisfaction and gives your work a competitive edge.

Use the Meler B4 Hot Melt Adhesive Melter Machine Kit to apply hot melt glue efficiently. The wonderful thing about this method is that, unlike spray adhesive that becomes airborne, all glue is deposited directly to the desired surface – reducing wasted product and making your glue go further. 

Hire a Meler B4 Machine Today:

If investing in a machine upfront is not financially viable, hire equipment from Adkwik to get you on your way. Head to the Meler B4 machine product page and select ‘Get a QUOTE’ to make an enquiry. 

Spray Adhesive:

Spray adhesives are prominent in the upholstery industry, and for good reason. A quality upholstery spray glue will provide a fast and efficient application, saving you precious time and effort. However, not all spray adhesives are created equal. Instead of rushing into a decision, take the time to consider the most valuable option for your needs.

Our top pick for bonding upholstery foam is Timbond Professional NC (Non-chlorinated) dichloromethane-free Spray Adhesive. It has tacky pressure-sensitive properties ideal for bonding foam and dries clear for a tidy finish.

The main benefit of this adhesive is that it contains much safer solvents than other sprayable glues on the market. If you’re eager to use sprayable adhesive but want to enhance workplace safety and minimise environmental impact, this is undoubtedly your best option.

Note that this product will require a portable spray gun and hose to give a uniform spray. 

3. Apply Pressure: 

Ensure the foam and frame align precisely. This step is made more manageable by our proposed adhesive’s tacky properties. Then, apply an even amount of pressure to the substrates to ensure maximum contact, enhancing the strength of the bond.

Form a Reliable Partnership With Adkwik 

Adkwik is far from a faceless company. For nearly 30 years, we have solved our clients’ bonding challenges by getting to know their businesses and providing solutions centred around their needs.

If you’d like to see how we can help with your bonding challenges, speak with an expert via our online contact form or by calling 01223 412373.