It’s clear – for the best DIY results, you need a clear glue. It would be a shame to ruin your work with visible seams or bonds, so read on to learn all about using clear adhesives on a variety of surfaces.
Whatever your DIY needs, there’s a clear adhesive that does the job. Wide ranges of clear liquid glues and clear silicone glues are available; all designed to create strong, invisible bonds for lots of materials, from metal to glass.
Before you purchase a product, think about the project at hand: what materials are you working with? Do you need a clear glue that dries quickly? Does it need to be particularly durable or resistant to extreme weather conditions?
Some clear adhesives are specially formulated for bonding with certain materials. For example, Loctite Super Glue Glass is an effective clear glue for glass, while Loctite Super Glue All Plastics, which also dries transparent, can be used on materials such as plastic, porcelain, metal, and rubber. Loctite Super Glue Power Gel is capable of withstanding extreme conditions, and is recommended for flexible materials or porous or vertical surfaces. Read the manufacturer’s product description carefully before purchasing, to make sure it’s the right glue for you.
Before you start working with clear glue, take care that the materials you’re working with are clean and dry. Work outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Any adhesive has the potential to irritate your skin, so gloves are advisable.
For the best results with clear adhesive, just follow these simple steps.
- Apply a thin, even layer of glue to one surface. If the material is very porous, you might need to apply a layer of glue to both surfaces. Immediately after application, press the two surfaces together.
- Wait for it to dry. Check the product instructions for the full cure time, and be patient! Some glues take several hours to reach maximum strength.
Info box: Working with non-porous materials? To get the best bond you might need to dampen the surface with a cloth first. If in doubt, check the product instructions.
After working with glue, clean up your work area. Make sure you put the cap back on the glue, and keep it stored in a dark, cool, and dry space.
If you need to remove some glue residue, try applying acetone (commonly found in nail polish remover) or Loctite Glue Remover, which is great for getting rid of glue stains.
