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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