Seattle Sun Newspaper - Vol. 8, Issue 4, April 2004
Copyright 2004 Seattle Sun. Please feel free to use the article below in your research. Be sure to cite the Seattle Sun as your source.
AROUND THE HOME:
Finding the right glue can be a challenge
By MATT MAURY
Back in my youth, when I wanted to glue some things together I considered four options: paste, LePage's glue, Elmer's white glue, or rubber cement.
One of them would do the job or the job wouldn't get done.
Then I became a homeowner with all the many repair jobs requiring some sort of adhesive each job presenting a different challenge.
I found that choosing the right product from the vast array of glues and adhesives now on the market determines the successfulness of the repair.
A starting point: there is a difference between "glue" and "adhesive."
A glue is a natural product coming from animals and vegetables. It is water-soluble and cures to a tight bond through water or heat loss. Examples of glues are those from animal hides, fish, wheat and rice.
While most are in liquid form, paste is also a type of glue. From a chemical standpoint, glue is a natural polymer protein or starch, for example. This is important to know because it means that glues can be reversed by applying water a glue joint always has the potential to be undone.
On the other hand, adhesives are based on synthetic polymers. One type of adhesive cures like glue, releasing moisture or heat until the bond is secure. Polyvinal acetate (PVA), contact cement and hot-melt glue are examples. The other type of adhesive cures through chemical reaction. Examples include polyurethane, resorcinal and epoxy.
Each type of glue and adhesive has its own characteristics strength, flexibility, drying time, toxicity, sandability and visibility. These, as well as cost, will determine the right product to use for each job.
Most of us have some general-purpose glues and adhesives around the house.
White glue, like Elmer's Glue-All, is a favorite for arts-and-crafts projects and woodworking, although it is difficult to sand to a smooth surface.
Super Glue is another product that is found in many households because it can be used on a wide variety of materials and it bonds instantly even your fingers together, if you're not careful!
Too often, we use what is on-hand, rather than what is right, for the job.
This is especially true when it comes to projects that should be utilizing contact cement, epoxy, hot-melt or construction adhesives. These products are designed to assure successful bonding.
Contact cement is applied to both surfaces that are to be joined. After it dries, the two surfaces are put together and the bond is immediate and permanent. A common use is in applying plastic laminate countertops.
Epoxy is often used where there gaps or holes that need to be filled in order to assure a good bond. It's an excellent adhesive for masonry, concrete and stone.
Hot-melt comes as a " round stick of adhesive that is inserted into an electric "glue-gun" to warm it into a liquid which can be spread over the surfaces to be bonded. It dries quickly and is favored for projects requiring a waterproof bond.
Construction adhesives generally come in caulking tubes and are used for securing building materials lumber, plywood, drywall, tile, bricks in addition to nails and other fasteners. It, too, is strong and waterproof.
Rather than heading to the hardware store to face shelves of what can be confusing glues and adhesives, a good place to start any project is on the Internet at www.thistothat.com.
The Web site also offers helpful hints about using glues or adhesives, as well as warnings about using the wrong types of products for the job.
Then, armed with the appropriate information, you can go to the store (maybe, phone first, as not every store carries every brand) with confidence that you will be getting a product that will give the best results.
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Matt Maury is president of the Home Owners Club of Seattle. His column is intended to help homeowners better understand the complexities of owning and maintaining their residences. Send questions or comments to: news@theseattlesun.com