Glue Devil offers advice on selecting the right adhesive or sealant for the job. 

 

What should a DIYér be aware of when purchasing an adhesive or sealant? (i.e. strength, durability, UV resistance etc)

These days the top consideration is quality because as adhesive and sealant manufacturers are pressured into more cost effective options for the retailers they add fillers and solvents to the products. So what does this mean to the DIY’er? An example that can be used is as follows; a DIY’er has a leaking shower where the water is leaking between the glass wall and the tiles at the base. A cost effective silicone used to seal this application may only last 6 weeks before it shrinks and starts leaking again whereby a high quality silicone that has not been diluted will not shrink and will work effectively for the next 20 years without leaking. So choose brands that are actual manufacturers of adhesives and sealants and if the same brand offers the same product at different price points go for the more expensive version as the small price difference will save you having to do the job again in the near future.

 

What products does Glue Devil offer in the DIY range?

Acrylic Sealer, Silicone Sealers, Hybrid sealers, super glue, wood glues, contact adhesives, PU filler foams and more

 

What selection guidelines should one follow when purchasing an adhesive or sealant?

When it comes to making the right decision it is wise to always gather as much information as you can. This is especially true in the case of adhesives and sealants, where even one tiny detail can change the entire situation, so for starters, make sure you have the answers to the following questions.

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What substrates are you bonding or sealing?  When trying to find the right adhesive or sealant, it is crucial that you know a little about the materials you will be attempting to bond. Every substrate has very different properties and will react in different ways depending on the substrate with which you are trying to bond or seal. So, before you start researching your adhesive or sealant, do a little research into the substrates you are hoping to bond or seal. Don’t forget to take into account if the surface has been painted, lacquered or treated in any way. Are the surfaces the same or dissimilar, porous or smooth? Do you have heat or solvent sensitive surfaces?

 

What stress will the bond experience?  This is another vital consideration when it comes to choosing the right adhesive, because if your application will be carrying a lot of weight then a strong adhesive is required. Remember if you are bonding something onto a wall such as I mirror or picture frame the adhesive is only as strong as the paint adheres to the wall.

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What will the environmental conditions be like? This is an extremely important consideration when choosing an adhesive or sealant, as the right choice will be vastly different depending on the environmental conditions. Is the application indoors or outdoors? Outdoors will require water resistance, UV resistance and temperature resistance.  

 

How does one decide on the strength of the adhesive required?

Most adhesives and sealants are application specific as this would be difficult or impossible for the DIY’er to calculate themselves.

 

What is the difference between a cold glue and a hot glue?

Cold glue is a water based adhesive that is most commonly used as craft glue for porous lightweight materials such as paper, cardboard, cloth, and kids’ crafts. The glue must dry before strength is significant and therefore the project often requires clamping to hold it in place until the glue is completely set and dry. Not ideal if a quick bond is required.

 

Hot glue is a form of thermoplastic adhesive that is commonly sold as solid cylindrical sticks  designed to be applied using a glue gun and can be used on porous and non-porous surfaces. Because of its high viscosity, it can bond uneven surfaces together and is great at filling gaps. Hot glue is not typically used in high strength applications. And, it will not survive elevated temperatures near the application temperature. However, it provides a very quick setting option for a variety of crafts and substrates.  It’s a great all-purpose craft glue for quick set up and execution, but it’s not for use by children as the operating temperatures required can seriously burn them.

 

Is there a one-does-it all solution?

Choosing the right adhesive or sealant is very challenging so henceforth the introduction of the hybrid. Glue Devil Screw it. Just glue it is the ultimate combined building adhesive and sealant, based on hybrid polymer technology, with the most amazing strength to both bond and seal virtually everything to anything in virtually all conditions, even under water or in the rain! Glue Devil Screw it.  Just glue it offers almost limitless benefits as an adhesive and a sealant removing the previous application barriers associated with conventional products. It combines the best features of acrylic sealer, polyurethanes and silicones into one product! An excellent fixing adhesive that replaces nails, screws and other mechanical fixings. It is also UV resistant so can be used in exterior applications exposed to the elements. It cures to form a tough elastic rubber which can be painted with most types of paint. Bonds to most surfaces including wood, concrete, brick, plaster, natural stone, marble, granite, glass, ceramics, metals, rigid PVC, paper, fibre boards, carpet, fibreglass, rubber, aluminium, polystyrene and much more…

 

Glue Devil: www.gluedevil.co.za

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