Instant Blue Glue - for PVC Pipe

The Pond Advisor highly recommends:

Christy's Red Hot Blue Glue for PVC solvent welds, particularly for pond or water feature installations. Here's a more structured summary based on the review:

Ease of Use: The coloured nature of the glue allows you to confirm where you've applied it visually. This helps to ensure a complete and secure bond, as you can easily spot where additional glue may be needed.

Reliability: The glue's visibility also makes it possible to confirm that fittings have been glued, preventing potential mishaps such as forgetting to secure a connection.

Versatility: Christy's Red Hot Blue Glue is touted as an all-weather solution, meaning it can be used effectively in wet and dry conditions. This could be particularly useful for outdoor projects or those involving water circulation, such as ponds.

Performance: The Pond Advisor hails this as the best PVC glue they've used for solvent welds, suggesting that it provides a robust and reliable bond. 

It's always important to read and follow the manufacturer's instructions when using adhesives like this to ensure they're the right choice for your particular application.

Like other PVC types of cement, Christy's Red Hot Blue Glue typically takes about 15 minutes to set enough to handle the joint. However, it takes much longer to cure and establish a complete bond.

As a general guideline, you should wait at least 2 hours before pressure testing up to 60 PSI, 24 hours for up to 180 PSI, and 72 hours for more significant pressures.

These times can vary based on factors like temperature and humidity. Cold and humid conditions can lengthen the drying and curing times, so it's always best to allow extra time.

Remember, these times are estimates. For specific applications or requirements, refer to the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines.

Does Christy's Red Hot Blue Glue need a primer?

Professionals often opt for Christy's Red Hot Blue Glue when working with PVC cement, frequently using a primer alongside it to improve bonding. Although not mandatory, primers can enhance joint strength by cleaning bonding surfaces and making PVC more flexible.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and consider your project's specific requirements when deciding whether to use a primer. PVC primer maximizes joint strength and longevity, and while a joint can still weld without it, the connection won't be as robust as the primer allows the cement to penetrate deeper into the material.