The Easy Slip Up That'll Weaken The Strength Of Your Gorilla Glue

Whether you're tackling home improvement projects or creative crafts, Gorilla Glue is a toolkit essential that you can't do without. However, as versatile and user-friendly as it may be, applying it incorrectly could lead to frustrating mishaps that waste your time, effort, and money. One of the most common mistakes everyone makes when using Gorilla Glue around the house is failing to prep your objects or materials properly prior to gluing. This starts with wiping away any dust or debris that may be lingering on the surface.

Gorilla Glue is an incredibly resilient polyurethane adhesive that grips seamlessly to nearly any material — if it's used correctly. However, you don't have to be an expert to know that a dirty surface will make it harder for the glue to do its job. Debris and dust particles may interfere with the adhesive and prevent the glue from expanding and bonding as it should. The glue will likely seep into the surface layer of dust instead of your material, leading to gaps or inconsistencies in the adhesive layer. This common slip-up can be easily prevented, but there is more groundwork you'll need to cover for your Gorilla Glue project to succeed. 

Many rookies don't know that the key to a successful Gorilla Glue project lies in the surface prep. Start by wiping down the surfaces you intend to glue with a clean microfiber cloth to get them smooth and dust-free. Another important step you can't afford to skip is moistening the surface with damp cloth or spray bottle before applying the glue. Gorilla Glue is a water activated solution, meaning that it requires moisture to bond and cure. A little bit of water will give the glue the stickiness that it needs to work properly. Lightly dampen one of your surfaces and keep the other dry to apply your glue.

Once you've prepared the surfaces and applied the glue, the next most important step is to clamp both surfaces together to create pressure that will help with bonding. To do this, place heavy objects on top of your two surfaces, use a set of clamps, or apply Gorilla Tape. Clamp your project in place for up to two hours or as described in the directions, then set it aside for it to cure. One of the most common causes of a failed bond is not waiting long enough for your Gorilla Glue to dry. Though the cure time will depend on your materials, waiting 24 hours will give you the best results.