General household materials

All purpose glues are sold in tubes to sticking most household materials, such as paper, card, wood and leather and some soft plastics. Easy to use where strength is not too important.

BRAND NAMES:

• Bostick Multibond
• Loctite Crystal Clear
• Polystick No 2
• Selleys Superstrength
• Multigrip
• Fullers Max Bond PVA
• Tarzan's Grip

CLEANER:

Acetone (nail-varnish remover)

Wood and boards

Modern chemical glues have largely replaced the traditional animal glues that joiners used to heat up in a kettle, They will stick hardwood and softwood, and man-made boards such as plywood, hardboard, blockboard and chipboard.

BRAND NAMES:

• Tarzan's Grip
• Bostick Contact
• Polystick No 1 Woodworking
• Selleys Aquadhere
• Loctite Premium Wood Glue
• Fullers Max Bond Construction Grade.

Heat resistant:

• Selleys Araldite
• Fullers Max Bond PVA

Out doors:

• Selleys Liquid Nails
• Fullers Sturdi Bond.

CLEANER:

See container

Plastic laminates, foam, leather

Plastic laminates and flexible sheets, such as foam or leather, can be stuck with a contact adhesive. It is spread on both surfaces and allowed to dry before the two pieces are joined. They stick immediately they come in contact, so cramps are not necessary. But you must position them accurately before pressing them together.

Some contact adhesives have a short 'slip' period when the surfaces first meet so that you can, if you do not apply pressure, move the materials.

Most contact adhesives are solvent based, so never smoke or have a naked flame nearby as you work. Water based types, which are not flammable, are also available.

BRAND NAMES:

• Tarzan's Grip
• Bostick Timberbond
• Selleys Kwik Grip (solvent based)
• Polystick No 2 Contact Adhesive
• Fullers Spray Bond Plus

Solvent based with 'slip'period:

• Loctite Contact Adhesive
• Selleys Gel Grip
• Selleys Water Based Kwik Grip
• Fullers Max Bond PVA

CLEANER:

Special solvents are sold for solvent-based contact adhesives. You can also try nail varnish remover (acetone).

Water based types can be cleaned up with a damp cloth.

Flexible plastic

Flexible PVC (also called vinyl) can be repaired by gluing another piece of the same material over it with PVC cement.

Nylon and polythene cannot be glued, so experiment first with some spare material.

BRAND NAME:

• Polystick No 7.

CLEANER:

Acetone (nail-varnish remover), but use sparingly or it will damage the plastic.

Hard plastic

Rigid polystyrene, which is used for some kitchen equipment and plastic models, can be glued with polystyrene cement. (It is not suitable for expanded polystyrene.)

BRAND NAMES:

• Bostick 1825
• Polystick No 2
• Selleys Silicone

CLEANER:

See container.

Pottery, glass, metal

Three types of glue can be used epoxy resin, two-part acryllc, and cyanoacrylate ('super glue').

Epoxy resins consist of two parts resin and hardener. They are mixed together and applied to both surfaces. They are totally waterproof when set, but leave a glue line.

With two part acrylic types the glue is applied to one surface and the hardener to the other.

Cyanoacrylate glues are easier to use, as no mixing is needed, and they leave hardly any glue line. But they will not stand up to immersion in water. For glass and crockery which must contain liquids, use a glue which also gives an invisible join,

Surfaces to be joined with cyano­acrylate must be a perfect fit; the glue will not fill gaps.

Take care not to get the glue on your skin. It is very fluid at first but dries extremely quickly. If your fingers become stuck to each other soak them for a few minutes in hot soapy water and they will come apart. Keep glue away from children; clean up any spilled glue immediately, using the solvent if one is supplied.

BRAND NAMES:

• Tarzan's Grip

Epoxy resin:

• Polystick No 2
• BostickSuperglue
• Loctite 5 Minute Epoxy Glue
• Selleys Araldite and Porcelain Repair
• Selleys Window and Glass Silicone
• Loctite Epoxy Ribbon Putty (for metal and pipes)

Two-part acrylic:

• Bostick M890, Cyanoacrylate
• Polystick Superglue 3
• Loctite Crystal Clear Glass Adhesive
• Selleys Superglue Gel (2 min. setting)
• Selleys Superglue (10 secs.)
• Fullers Power Bond Superglue (not glass)

CLEANER:

Epoxy resin:

Whitespirit.

Two-part acrylic:

Wipe with cloth or tissue. When dry, glue can be trimmed with a craft knife.

Cyanoacrylate:

Acetone (nail varnish remover), or release agent which may be supplied with the glue. Also hot, soapy water.

Expanded polystyrene

To stick expanded polystyrene to walls or ceilings, either as tiles or sheets, use an adhesive made for the purpose.

For more information on tiling and tiling adhesives see All About Tiling.

BRAND NAMES:

• Polystick No 5 Acrylic and Contact
• Selleys Liquid Nails
• Fullers Max Bond
• Fullers Spray Bond Plus

CLEANER:

Damp cloth.

Paper and card

Liquid pastes and gums are the traditional way of sticking paper and card, but tend to wrinkle the surface.

Rubber solutions are sold in a tin and are put on with a plastic spatula. They are useful for large areas, and surplus glue can be peeled off.

Stick glue is sold in a plastic dispenser like a large lipstick.

Reusable adhesives are used in lumps to fix card and paper to notice boards. Do not use it on a papered wall.

Other glues are designed especially for children to use

BRAND NAMES:

• Tarzan's Grip
• Uhu Stick Glue
• Selleys Aquadhere (PVA)

Selleys Craft Glue:

• Polyslick No 4 Paper and Hobby Glue

Reuseable:

• Bostick Blu Tack

CLEANER:

Wipe up liquid paste or gum, stick glue, or children's glue with a damp cloth. Rubber solution rubs or peels off.

Carpet and fabrics

Use a latex based fabric adhesive, which is white when first applied, but is less obvious when dry.

BRAND NAMES:

• Bostick 4709
• Selleys Carpet Glue
• Fullers Perfect Putdown Floor Adhesive

CLEANER:

Damp cloth.