Super by name…and nature
Glooly Product Advisor
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In the days before super glue, a broken object had only one destination: the dustbin. Now there is a type of super glue to repair virtually every household item imaginable.
What is super glue used for and what makes it so ‘super’?
As much time as we spend making our homes look and feel just right, one fact remains: they are full of objects and items that are easily broken. Handles can come off your favourite china mug, wooden chairs start to come apart through overuse, rubber soles separate from the upper on your trainers and a beloved ceramic vase can crack and chip.
In situations like these and more, knowing how to use super glue will fix the problem in a matter of minutes. Because the above materials all have some amount of water in them – and all super glue needs to set are the hydroxyl ions found in water – it can bond them back together and achieve tough, long-lasting repairs.
How to use super glue: Step by step
We’ve all experienced that moment when we’ve dropped, knocked or bashed a household item and watched it go from pristine to broken in an instant. Here’s how to use super glue to reverse that process in minutes:
- Clean. Brush, wipe or wash any dirt and debris off the broken pieces or surfaces to guarantee the best bond possible. Before proceeding, dry away any water.
- Practice. In order for you to know precisely how and where the pieces fit before using super glue to bond them, dry fit them first.
- Bond. Apply a small amount of super glue to the edges of the pieces or the areas of the surfaces and press them into place, holding them together for a minute or two while a bond begins to form.
- Repeat. If you are working with more than one piece or surface, allow each one to dry completely before proceeding. Leave the item overnight once they are all in place, to achieve the best result and strongest bond.
- Remove. Don’t worry if any super glue has oozed out from between the pieces or surfaces during the process. This can be removed once the item is dry using a sharp knife or a razor blade.
Super glue uses: Choosing the best super glue
Because our houses contain breakable objects that are made of a multitude of different materials, having a super glue that can bond almost all of them is an essential item in everyone’s DIY kit. As its name indicates, Loctite’s 60 Second All-Purpose Glue dries in just 60 seconds and can be used to repair leather, rubber, wood, metal, porcelain, paper and most plastics. Despite its quick drying time, it still gives you time to reposition the parts that you are gluing, dries transparent and has a non-drip gel formula, making it perfect for vertical applications.
For precise and easy application in scenarios like those where fine cracks are involved, Loctite’s Super Glue Liquid Control forms a long-lasting and invisible bond in seconds. Its easy grip squeeze bottle offers an accurate dispensing system for pinpoint gluing and harder to reach places. Even better, its new formula is water, dishwasher and shock proof, as well as being resistant to extreme temperatures.