The Glue That Bonds
June 4, 2008 5:01 pm maria Crafts, Techniques and Mediums
Glues and Adhesives
- Different glues do different jobs. Select the best glue for your needs. If you project needs to be washed (a wearable for example) then select a fabric glue. Glue formulas do vary. Read the label of the glue to see if it meets your needs.
- If possible snip the glue bottle tip at a 45-degree angle. This gives you the best control and makes keeping the tip clean an easier task.
- Remove the bottle top of Aleene’s Tacky Glue and allow air to circulate for about an hour for extra tack!
- Keep bottle on its side while crafting. This makes the glue flow smoother while crafting.
- Remove excess glue with toothpicks, cotton swabs, and small old brushes for the perfect finish. Make sure to clean any old paintbrushes for the next use.
Glue Guns and Glue
- Although there is no difference between the bonding of a hot and low temperature glue sticks, there is a difference in the glue’s temperature. If you switch back and forth between Hot and Low temperature glues, please remember when you are using the HOT glues that they can burn.
- Keeping a bowl of ice water near your work area is a great idea. When working your fingers near the glue, dip fingers into the water to prevent scalding.
- A dryer sheet will clean up even the messiest of glue guns. Just carefully rub over the gun to clean it up. Rub down the gun every once in a while to keep it clean. Dryer sheets are also great to keep glues and paints from sticking to your hands!
- Don’t think of glue as just an adhesive. Use glue as a medium. You can paint on it! Add glitter to it! And the only real limit is your imagination!
- Glue strings are caused by many different things. Heat, humidity, and other situations in your environment can cause strings. Put glue sticks in freezer to cut down on strings and keep the glue gun tips clean to prevent strings.
- Buy a glue gun that matches your hand size for maximum comfort.
- Slick, smooth surfaces are the hardest to bond. Make sure surface is clean (wipe with rubbing alcohol) and score (cut or sand) surface if possible.
- Low temp is best for delicate materials. It will not melt or burn delicate materials like Mylar, nylon, laces, etc.
- Low temp can be used with molds. Use a release agent like soap when casting.
- Always use the stand to keep your glue gun up right when not in use. Never force glue through the gun. Glue guns take at least 10 minutes to heat up. Forcing glue through the glue gun can break the glue feeder that pushes glue through the machine.
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Gregg :
Date: February 25, 2009 @ 7:21 PM
This information was very helpful. Thank you. I am in the process of designing a series of new glue guns. If there was something you could change about your glue what would they be?