How To Repair a Flexible Toy
How do you repair a broken toy that needs to stay flexible?
A broken toy can spell disaster — for kids and parents alike. When you are making everyday household repairs like this, the thing that decides success is not how strong the glue is but whether it stays flexible. A toy that bends, squeezes or gets thrown will work the bond line every time it is used, and a rigid adhesive will crack there within days.
That is why the product for this job is Selleys Power Grip. It is a flexible all-purpose adhesive in a squeezy tube, it sets fast, and once set it is shock resistant — which is exactly the loading a toy sees. Before you start, though, check what the toy is made of, because there is one large category of plastic that Power Grip will not bond, and it is a very common one in toys.
What you need
- Selleys Power Grip
- Mineral turpentine or acetone, for cleaning up
- Clamps or tape, if the shape needs holding
How to repair a flexible toy
- Make sure both surfaces are clean, dry and dust free.
- Apply Selleys Power Grip to one surface.
- Bring the surfaces together and clamp or tape if needed. With porous surfaces like wood and ceramics, practical strength takes about 12 hours. Allow more time for non-porous surfaces such as plastics and metal.
- Clean up with mineral turpentine or acetone before the adhesive sets.
- Wipe the nozzle and replace the cap to stop the tube drying out, and store it in a cool dry place.
Check the plastic before you glue
This is the step that determines whether the repair is possible at all. Power Grip is not suitable for polyethylene or polypropylene — the two plastics most moulded toys, buckets, bins and fridge drawers are made from. If the toy is a soft, waxy-feeling moulded plastic, there is a good chance it is one of those.
Most plastic items carry a recycling triangle with a number in it. A 2 (HDPE), 4 (LDPE) or 5 (PP) means Power Grip will not bond it. In that case use Selleys All Plastics, which comes with a primer pen that chemically activates the surface first. On polyethylene, All Plastics with the primer achieves 5.6 MPa; on polypropylene, 2.9 MPa. Without the primer, neither figure is achievable.
To use it: apply one coat of primer to each plastic surface — if the pen looks dry, draw a line on paper and check a wet mark appears — let it dry clear, then apply a small amount of glue to one surface only and press together with slight pressure for about 30 seconds. Initial bond is 30 minutes; full cure 24 hours. Do not use the primer pen on non-plastic surfaces, and note that nylon, PVC and polystyrene actually bond best without priming.
Timings that decide how long to leave it alone
Power Grip's published figures make the waiting straightforward:
| Stage | Time |
|---|---|
| Set time | 3 minutes |
| Practical strength on porous surfaces (wood, ceramics) | 12 hours |
| Non-porous surfaces (metals, plastics) | Longer than 12 hours — allow extra |
There is a useful trick for the non-porous case, which is most toys. The data sheet suggests keeping the two surfaces apart for about 30 seconds after applying the adhesive before bringing them together. Letting the solvent flash off briefly reduces set time on materials that cannot absorb any of it.
Figures are from the product's technical data sheet and are indicative results rather than a basis for preparing specifications.
Limitations — where Power Grip should not be used
- Not for polyethylene or polypropylene. Use Selleys All Plastics with its primer for those.
- Not for permanent water immersion. Bath toys that live in the water are not a good candidate.
- It yellows on direct exposure to UV. A repair on a toy that lives outside or on a sunny windowsill will discolour over time.
Two more judgements worth making before you reach for glue at all. Anything a small child mouths should be considered carefully — a repaired join is a potential small part, and the adhesive's own safety information is written for the person applying it, not for a child chewing the result. And anything load-bearing on a ride-on toy or a piece of play equipment is not a gluing job; a failure there has consequences a broken toy does not.
Choosing between the flexible adhesives
If Power Grip is not on the shelf, or the repair is a different kind:
- Fix & Go Multi Grip — a 50mL multi-purpose solvent adhesive for fabric, paper, wood, ceramics and plastics other than polyethylene and polypropylene. Not for polystyrene foam, and not for underwater use or constant moisture.
- Super Glue High Precision — for fine detail on ceramics and small rigid parts, where the join does not need to flex.
- Araldite Rapid — a two-part epoxy with a 90 second set for rigid repairs where clamping is not possible. It will not bond PTFE, polyethylene or polypropylene, and the bond softens above 60°C.
The rule of thumb: flexible part, flexible adhesive. Epoxies and super glues cure hard, which is right for a broken ceramic ornament and wrong for a squeezy toy.
Safety: the recycling triangle decides the hazard too
The page already makes the right call about the finished toy. This is about the repair itself, because the plastic check above does not only decide whether the bond will work — it decides which of two quite different hazard profiles you are about to open on the kitchen table.
If the toy is not polyethylene or polypropylene, and Power Grip does the job. Power Grip carries the signal word Danger but no flammability classification and is not Dangerous Goods. Its classifications are H318, causes serious eye damage (Category 1); H317, may cause an allergic skin reaction (Category 1A); H315; and H335, may cause respiratory irritation. H318 is permanent damage rather than irritation that passes, and the shape of this job is what makes it live: a small tube squeezed by hand, head down over the work, nozzle pointing back at you when you clear it. The other relevant detail is that toy repairs attract an audience. A child leaning in over the tube is at the same close range you are, without the judgement to turn their face away, and the tube looks a great deal like a food tube. Do this one out of reach and hand the toy back afterwards.
If the triangle says 2, 4 or 5, you have no choice, and the hazard changes. All Plastics carries H225, highly flammable liquid and vapour; H319, causes serious eye irritation; and H336, may cause drowsiness or dizziness. The primer pen is part of that — it is the solvent doing the surface activation, it is waved around in the open, and the method has you leave it to dry clear before the glue goes on. So the exposure runs across the priming, the 30 seconds of pressure and the 24 hour cure, not just the moment of application. H225 vapour is heavier than air and pools at floor level, so a bar heater or a gas heater low down in the room is the ignition source to think about. Open a window, put the heater off, and leave the toy to cure somewhere ventilated rather than in a toy box.
Fix & Go Multi Grip, the alternative listed above, carries the same three as All Plastics and the same precautions.
H317 on Power Grip is worth a gloved hand. Skin sensitisation is not irritation — it is generally permanent once acquired, and it is built by repeated small contacts rather than one spill. Parents who do this several times a year are exactly the exposure pattern.
A splash in the eye needs a 15-minute flush and a call to the Poisons Information Centre — 131 126 in Australia, 0800 764 766 in New Zealand.
Common questions about repairing toys
What glue is best for a toy that bends?
Selleys Power Grip. It is a flexible, shock-resistant adhesive, which is what a bending or squeezing part needs — rigid adhesives crack along the bond line.
How long does Power Grip take to set?
Set time is 3 minutes, but practical strength takes about 12 hours on porous surfaces like wood and ceramics, and longer on non-porous surfaces like plastics and metal.
Do I glue both halves?
Apply Power Grip to one surface, then bring the two together.
Why won't my glue stick to this plastic?
It is probably polyethylene or polypropylene. Power Grip is not suitable for either. Selleys All Plastics with its primer pen is designed for exactly this.
How do I tell what plastic a toy is?
Look for a recycling triangle with a number: 2, 4 or 5 indicates polyethylene or polypropylene. If there is no marking, a soft, slightly waxy plastic that nothing seems to stick to is usually one of them.
Can I fix a bath toy?
Power Grip is not suitable for permanent water immersion. A toy that is used in the bath and then dried is different from one left sitting in water, but this is the limitation to weigh up before you spend the time.
Will the repair go yellow?
Power Grip yellows on direct exposure to UV, so a repair kept out of sunlight will stay clearer for longer.
Do I need to clamp?
Only if the shape needs holding. Clamp or tape as required while the adhesive sets.
How do I clean up the excess?
Mineral turpentine or acetone, before the adhesive sets. Once cured it has to be removed mechanically.
How do I stop the tube drying out?
Wipe the nozzle and replace the cap after use, and store the tube in a cool dry place.
Is it safe for a toy a toddler chews?
Think carefully before repairing anything that goes in a small child's mouth. The published safety information covers the person applying the adhesive, and a repaired join can become a small part.
What about a rigid toy, like a broken ceramic figurine?
Use an epoxy or a precision super glue instead — see 5 tips to repairing sentimental items and Glue Guide 101.
What Selleys product is recommended for repairing a flexible toy?
Selleys recommends Knead It Multipurpose, a hand-kneadable epoxy repair system, for mending and repairing flexible toys. It provides a permanent finish once cured.
How should I prepare a toy's surface before applying Knead It Multipurpose?
Before applying the adhesive, make sure the surface is free of grease, dirt, and dust. For best results, roughen the bond area by scuffing or sanding it prior to cleaning.
How do I prepare Knead It Multipurpose before applying it to a toy?
Cut off the required amount of Knead It Multipurpose from the tube and knead it with your fingers until it reaches a uniform colour. If it's difficult to mix, let the polymer warm to room temperature first.
How quickly must Knead It Multipurpose be applied after mixing?
Knead It Multipurpose must be applied to the toy within 2 minutes of mixing. Apply pressure to force it into the damaged area or mould it into the required shape.
How can I achieve a smooth finish when repairing a toy with Knead It Multipurpose?
Remove any excess adhesive and hand rub the repaired area with water or a damp cloth before the material begins to harden, which will give it a smooth appearance.
How long does Knead It Multipurpose take to cure on a toy repair?
Knead It Multipurpose hardens and begins to form a strong bond in approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
Can I paint or sand the repaired toy after the adhesive cures?
Yes. After 60 minutes of initial curing, the repaired toy can be further finished — the cured Knead It Multipurpose material can be drilled, sanded, filed, sawed, or painted to match the toy's original appearance.
Should I wear protective equipment when using Knead It Multipurpose on a toy?
Yes, you should wear gloves when handling the uncured Knead It Multipurpose product to protect your skin.
How do I clean up excess Knead It Multipurpose adhesive?
Wipe away any excess adhesive with a damp cloth before it hardens.
How should leftover Knead It Multipurpose be stored?
Store the remaining product in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight and foodstuffs.