"So many questions! I just want to stick A to B,
why all the drama?!?"
Well, knowing something about the different types of glues will help you know when to use which one, and how to use it for the best result. The glues we are most familiar with are generically called PVA (poly-vinyl acetate). This is the entire family of water-based white glues and yellow (carpenter's) glues. School glue, tacky glue, craft glue ... if it comes in a bottle, cleans up with water, is opaque and white or yellow when wet but nearly transparent when dry, it's a PVA glue. They are nonflammable and generally safe to use in ordinary household situations. One of these is likely your main go-to, but you'll probably want more than one.  Next are the solvent-based glues; a much broader category. They often come in tubes, and may be formulated for joining specific materials. The solvent is whatever the manufacturer recommends to remove or clean up excess glue, such as acetone, mineral spirits (paint thinner), lacquer thinner, denatured alcohol or others. Solvent-based glues are probably flammable and likely recommend use in a well ventilated area. These are specialists so you may not need any of them -- or you may need several.
Also solvent based but deserving of a separate category are cyanoacrylate (CA) glues, a.k.a. super glues. They should be used carefully and sparingly and, once again, one size does not fit all. Other glue types include epoxy, spray glue, hot glue, wallpaper paste, glue stick, rubber cement, contact cement, fabric glue and many more. Depending on your needs, your glue shelf might hold only one or two of these, or you may have a dozen or more; I definitely do! Next time: Naming names and sharing stories. SHOP NOW! |
