Hot glue pros and cons.

When using hot glue there are a few things that can be beneficial and things that can be detrimental. Hot glue is a strong adhesive and will be a good product to use for cosplay pieces. However, the trick is knowing where to use this glue. Since hot glue is not as strong as things like superglue or contact cement, gluing pieces that hold a lot of pressure can be a challenge. Helmet domes and forearm pieces that have to be glued at a seam will not hold well with hot glue. The glue is to "soft" and will not take the pressure. The seams can also acquire large gaps which can be tricky to fill. Seams this large and crucial should be done with something such as contact cement to ensure a strong and clean seam. Hot glue should be applied to areas such as small details and pieces that do not have to bend. It is also very useful in creating textures and seams that look like they were welded(as seen on the pyramid head cosplay).Hot glue is a very quick drying and forgiving adhesive, which makes it a very easy to use. Another thing to be aware of when using hot glue is that if you will be in a warm area or standing in the sun for a long time be wary. Since the glue melts with heat, pieces of your props or costume can begin to fall apart. Saying these pros and cons about hot glue does not make it a bad adhesive to use when making complex armor. On my Felix cosplay, I used hot glue since it was my first ever foam build. I was standing in the sun for a while in line and the worst thing that could ever happen while cosplaying happened. My chest piece, which was held by hot glue at my shoulders, completely melted apart and my chest piece fell to the ground.The rest of the costume did hold up very well though which proves that hot glue is not bad but just should be used cautiously.