Super glue, epoxy, wood glue and even adhesives are always advertised to be robust enough to bind or stick anything, anything of their purpose that is. However, not all of them are as “multi-purpose” as advertised. Some do not work for a certain purpose as they for something else.
The best super glue, however, might be able to work as versatile as possible. That is why today, we will help you find the best for your project. We are featuring a simple buying guide with several reviews of products you might want to check out.
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 13:48 PST - Details
How is the Super Glue Any Different?
Super glue comes from cyanoacrylate which is an acrylic resin. This particular resin can instantly create the strongest bonds making the super glue, super indeed. However, for those bonds to form, it needs the hydroxyl ions in water.
Another thing that makes super glue different from other types of glue is the process of which it forms bonds. Other adhesives like the white glue (usually used by kids to stick cut outs to paper) form links through solvent evaporation.
Contrary to this, the super glue makes use of a different bonding process called anionic polymerisation. However, this chemical process produces a little heat. This heat though can sometimes be hot enough to burn your skin if the super glue gets in touch with your skin.
So be very careful when handling super glue, not only can it be tough to wash off because it’s sticky, it can also burn or sting.
Your Simple Guide to Choosing
Now, before you go a shopping spree collecting tubes of superglue, there are some things you need to know and consider first. That will help shorten your list of products to review and maximise your use of the product.
1. What is the Size of the Tube
It is essential because too much or too little might be a problem in the future when buying a tube of superglue. Just because you see a huge tube of superglue on sale doesn’t mean you have to splurge and buy it.
You have to plan on using the entire product right away. It is because, like any other glue, the super glue is not “super” at all when it comes to shelf life. They also dry or harden up. Most super glues only last in good condition for 12 months, unopened.
Ideally, a small tube would be better so if ever you need more of the product, you can just buy another tube of the same size. Better than throwing away a whole tube half-used just because it’s all dry and crusty.
2. Is it Hazardous to Health?
Some glues can be very harmful to the health due to their content. Some trigger skin irritations and respiratory problems. Even worse, regular exposure to them can also trigger these consequences.
So if you can help it, try finding reviews about the super glue you want to buy if it has triggered this kind of problems to other users. Or, try looking at its contents or ingredients and research if there are harmful amounts of those ingredients in the super glue.
3. What Is Its Purpose?
Lastly, what is your purpose for buying the super glue? Now you might think that the super glue is the superhero all your projects need. Or that it can bind together all the things you want to stick together. But it has its limitations, unfortunately.
At first, it might appear to hold up pretty nicely, but if it is not what a super glue is for, you might see it falling apart anyway after a few more uses. Especially if the item you just used your super glue on, is something you regularly use.
Like any other types of glue, the superglue has its specific uses. In this case, you can place the super glue on wood, plastic as well as ceramic. If you are using the super glue for anything other than these three mentioned, then it might be best to check out other types of glue.
Or, know what other adhesives work well for the kind of project you supposedly want to use the super glue.
General Tips on Using Superglue
Using the super glue can be quite simple. However, there are also some do’s and don't's that you might want to observe if you want to maximise its use and life. Here are some you should probably know:
To lengthen the life of your super glue, try squeezing out any air from the tube after every use. Also, do not expose it to direct sunlight or heat. You can even try storing it in your refrigerator (somewhere it would not completely freeze up) to slow down its process of hardening or drying up.
As to its usage, try wearing gloves if you can help it whenever you use superglue. That is to avoid accidentally glueing your fingers together or experiencing any skin irritations. Most importantly, only use the right amount.
Using too much of the super glue won’t make it more efficient. Instead, it can be quite the opposite. You can even use a toothpick or a tiny and thin cylindrical item for the application. That helps you apply more precisely the right amount.
And should the time come when you do “glue” your fingers together, know what you need to do. A quick remedy for this is keeping an acetone near you. Applying acetone to dried glue can dissolve it. It can help you unglue your fingers.
After the application, wipe off any excess super glue on your project to avoid smearing or any dried adhesive. Most importantly, let the superglue set and do its job for a good 24 hours first before “testing” out its effectivity on your project.
Our Top 5 Picks
To start our list is a company that has a name that says it all. Super Glue is a company well known for selling, well, super glues! Their product has great packaging, having an air-tight seal to prevent the super glue from sticking.
Moreover, they're kind of generous in handing out these little but powerful adhesives. You get 12 pieces in just one pack, with each having 0.7 ounces worth of glue. It’s a great tradeoff considering that you’ll get high-quality glue that can fix all sorts of things.
We like
We do not like
Gorilla Super Glue is another long-timer in the market, getting a lot of fame in online shopping sites like Amazon. Gorilla does an excellent job by creating a cheap yet reliable glue that gives you a lot of grams. In particular, Gorilla’s super glue weighs 15 grams.
Besides that, the brand gives you a lot of flexibility depending on how you will use this glue. They have different sets to select. Among them, you can choose a single pack, to a dozen!
We like
We do not like
Scotch has always been a staple in not just the adhesive industry, but also in supplies in general. Scotch’s liquid brush-on gives you maximum control over your repair, prevent any spillage.
Similar to the Gorilla super glue, the Scotch also gives you an option to choose between single up until six-pack packages. Overall, it dries well and works with a lot of different materials.
We like
We do not like
Loctite enters our list at fourth, but we’re sure most of you were expecting this brand to pop out sooner than later. It’s well-established in the adhesive section, and it continues to do so because of its gel control super glue.
Loctite does a lot of innovation with their super glues. With the ultra-gel control, you get a unique formula that “rubberised” the content of their glue. That makes it more powerful, durable, and flexible.
We like
We do not like
Last on our list is Glue Masters’ professional cyanoacrylate super glue. One of the unique features that separate this glue from the previous four is its variation in viscosity. If the four other products gave you choices in number and size, Glue Masters lets you choose how thick you want your adhesive to be.
The choices give you anything between thin, medium, to thick viscosity. The content also ranges from 2 ounces up to 16 ounces. Notably, the “professional” label in this super glue lives up to its name. After all, it’s perfect to use for specific projects!
We like
We do not like
Our Verdict
With all that said, it’s time to hand out the best super glue award. If we’re talking about strength, drying time, and application, we’ll reward this to the Super Glue brand that came first on our list.
It has a tight competition with Glue Masters’ professional super glue. However, we’ll give it the edge because it dries faster and has a convenient storage to keep you organised. Not to mention, it helps prevent your glue from drying out too.
Patching up ceramics and some types of wood are not its strong suit, however. Thus, if you’re involved in those two areas, it’s best to get our first runner up, Glue Masters’ professional grade super glue. Still, it’s all a matter of your budget and preference.
Feel free to comment your thoughts below and don’t forget to share this with your friends. Remember, everybody needs a little super glue in their lives!
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