By
eHow Home & Garden Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- Airplane Glue
- Carpet Glues
- Wood Glues
- Epoxy
- Fabric Glue
- Glue Guns And Accessories
- Superglue
- White Glues
- Acetone
- Adhesive Removers
- Bottles Of Rubber Cement
Step1
Consider the work surface. Is it porous or smooth? Wood, drywall, paper and cloth are porous; glass, metal, ceramic and plastic are not. Cyanoacrylate (superglue) and white glue adhere to smooth, nonporous surfaces; hot glue and carpenter's (wood) glue are better for porous surfaces. Contact cement is suitable for both porous and nonporous work surfaces.
Step2
Decide how quickly you want the adhesive to dry. Superglue bonds instantly, hot glue is quick, water-based contact cement sticks immediately and is dry within 30 minutes, white and carpenter's (wood) glues take a few hours, and silicone sealant requires about 24 hours to cure. Epoxies (heat-solidifying resins) vary.
Step3
Determine whether the adhesive needs to be water and/or heat resistant. Two-part epoxy, superglue, water-based contact cement and silicone sealant are resistant to both. Hot glue doesn't hold up well under extreme heat, but is waterproof. Carpenter's glue holds up under moisture and heat, whereas white glue doesn't fare well when exposed to either.
Step4
Think about cleanup. Silicone sealant, superglue and two-part epoxy are cleaned up with acetone - which is flammable and toxic. Water-based contact cement, new water-based silicone sealers, carpenter's glues and white glues clean up with water.
Step5
Read the labels. Make sure that the brand you choose is compatible with your purpose.
