Glue Application
Is glue water soluble?
A glue is water soluble depending on the materials it is made out of. If the materials are water soluble, this means that the bond they form has limited resistance to moisture and water because they more easily absorb water. Many Aleene’s glues are water soluble; check the glue label for details.
Why isn’t my glue sticking properly?
There are many reasons why a glue might not be working the way it’s supposed to:
- The surfaces you are trying to glue are dirty or greasy, thus preventing the glue from properly bonding to the surfaces. Make sure the items are clean from visible dirt and debris. PVA and solvent glues work by sinking into the surfaces of the articles being glued and forming a physical bond to lock the pieces together.
- You might be using the wrong glue for the surfaces you are gluing; make sure to check the glue label to see what surfaces it’s formulated to adhere to. You can also refer to the Aleene’s Glue Guide to find what glues work best on a variety of surfaces.
- The glue might be applied incorrectly. Make sure to read all instructions before using.
What types of tools can I use to apply glue?
Glue doesn’t always have to be applied directly from the bottle; depending on the project and surfaces, sometimes using other tools is better, depending on what you are trying to achieve. Generally, you’ll want to use tools that are disposable and can be thrown away after using since glue can gunk up the tool. We recommend the following tools for applying glue:
- Sea sponges
- Cosmetic sponges
- Toothpicks
- Inexpensive bristle brushes/paintbrushes
- Foam brushes
- Cotton swabs
How can I get every drop of glue out of the bottle?
The easiest way to get every drop of glue out of a glue bottle is to turn the bottle upside down and stand it tip down in a cup or a jar. Allow the glue to flow to the tip. Keep the glue stored that way until all glue is gone. You can also use a cotton swab, toothpick or skewer to help get all of the glue out of the bottle.
How do you keep items from sliding around when they are first glued together?
- Apply a layer of glue to both substrates to be glued.
- Do not immediately press together; instead wait about 5 minutes for the glue to tack up so it’s not as slippery.
- Press the items together.
- Secure with tape, clamps or clothespins until the glue dries completely.
How can I hold surfaces together while drying?
It depends on the items you are gluing together. Popular tools for hard surfaces like wood and plastic include masking tape, clamps and clothespins. For fabrics, use straight pins, clothespins or safety pins.
How can I remove glue residue?
Glue residue can happen when using a spray adhesive and overspray sticks to the surface of the surrounding area, or if some of the glue presses out of the section being glued together. To help avoid overspray or over application, place a piece of paper or tape on the project to mask off and protect the area.
If the glue is still wet, use a dry paper towel or Q-tip to remove most of the excess, then clean away with a damp, soapy cloth. If the glue has dried, you can try peeling or rubbing it away, carefully scraping it from the surface with a knife or razor blade, or using a glue remover product like Goo Gone®. You can also try acetone (found in nail polish remover), a high percentage rubbing alcohol (85% or higher) or mineral spirits for solvent-based adhesives such as The Ultimate, Bead & Glass, etc. All Tacky Glues can be removed with an all-natural, biodegradable citrus-based cleaner.
How can I make glue dry faster?
Drying time varies depending on the glue formulation, the temperature and humidity, and the amount of glue used. You can use a blow dryer or a heat lamp to help speed up the glue drying process. Generally, the thinner the application of glue and the warmer and dryer the climate, the faster the glue will dry.
How long does it take for glue to dry?
How long it takes for glue to dry depends on several factors, including the type of glue used, how much glue was used on your project and the level of humidity in the area you live in. A general rule for white glues is letting the glue dry at least overnight for the bond to set. If there will be any weight bearing on the bond, we recommend allowing the glue to dry for at least 48 hours. When the glue sets up, it does not always mean that it is completely dry, so best practice is to wait for the entire recommended dry time.
