Glue Guide
Glue is glue, right? Wrong. There are different types of glues for different surfaces. Using the wrong type of glue may mean your repairs fall apart or, worse, you ruin what you were trying to fix. Use this guide to help sort out which glue will be best for the job you need to do.
Before You Get Started
Before you get gluing, you'll need to preapre the surfaces you're working on. Clean both surfaces thoroughly. Any dirt or oil may prevent proper
bonding. You'll want to wipe metals, glass and other nonporous surfaces with a degreasing agent,
such as alcohol. If you're gluing wood, strip it free of any paint, wax and varnish.
Tip: Most glue applications require clamping and in some cases nailing. Be sure to allow time for glue to cure. Curing time may differ from drying time.
| Adhesive Type | Characteristics | Best Uses |
| White Glue polyvinyl acetate |
Strength: Moderate Drying Time: Several hours Moisture Resistance: Poor Heat Resistance: Poor Hazards: None Cleanup: Soap and water |
Wood Paper Cloth |
| Two-part epoxy epoxy |
Strength: Excellent Drying Time: Varies by brand Moisture Resistance: Excellent Heat Resistance: Excellent Hazards: Toxic fumes/flammable Cleanup: Acetone |
Wood Metal Masonry Glass Fiberglass |
| Hot Glue hot melt |
Strength: Varies by type Drying Time: 60 seconds Moisture Resistance: Fair Heat Resistance: Fair Hazards: Hot application Cleanup: heat/acetone |
Glass Plastics Wood |
| Cyanoacrylate Glue Instant glue/Super glue/Krazy Glue |
Strength: Excellent Drying Time: Seconds Moisture Resistance: Excellent Heat Resistance: Excellent Hazards: Instant bond/flammable/toxic Cleanup: Acetone |
Glass Ceramics Plastics Metal |
| Contact Cement |
Strength: Good Drying Time: Bonds instantly/Cures in 1 hour Moisture Resistance: Good Heat Resistance: Excellent Hazards: Flammable/toxic fumes Cleanup: Acetone |
Laminates Plastics Plywood Flooring |
| Yellow Glue (carpenter's glue) | Strength: Moderate Drying Time: Several Hours Moisture Resistance: Moderate Heat Resistance: Hazards: None Cleanup: Warm water |
Wood Paper Cloth |
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Have a questions about glue? Visit our forum to find the answers that stick. |
