Choosing the right glass adhesive is crucial for any project. Putty is thick and provides excellent adhesion but has slow drying time and is difficult to remove. Water-based glue dries clearer but lacks strength. Silicone is ideal for outdoor use and repels water, while UV-curing adhesive dries quickly without mixing.
Working with glass can be tricky because some jobs require different glues. The right glass adhesive is essential for working with glass. There are many different types, ranging from thick putty, to water-based types, silicone, and even special UV-curing types. Studying a glass project and knowing the best way to fix it to a surface is an important step in any job.
Putty is a common type of glass adhesive that is easily found in most hardware and art stores. This adhesive is a thick, white, spackle-like material that can be applied to the back of glass with a spoon or flat stick. Provides excellent adhesion for glass and metal projects, such as fusing mosaic tiles together. Putty works well for clear glasses because it dries out the white and provides a plain background. This type of glue has its drawbacks, such as its slow drying time and how it is difficult to remove from your hands or drips along the surface of the glass.
A water-based glass adhesive is another good choice for metal, wood, and glass-on-glass projects. This glue comes in a tube and can be applied in its own container, eliminating the need for spoon applications. This type of adhesive normally dries clearer than caulk and is easier to remove from hands and drips. Its main drawback is that it lacks the strength of putty.
A silicone glass adhesive is ideal for speed, ease and weatherability. This type of epoxy has rubbery properties once it dries and can be applied by squeezing a tube in most cases. Its rubbery feel provides an excellent choice for glass that will be outdoors and exposed to the elements. Unlike other types of adhesive, silicone is excellent at repelling water and maintaining its bond under high heat, so the glass will be less prone to shifting or breaking.
An attractive option used by many professionals is a UV curing glass adhesive. This adhesive is applied to the glass and then a UV emitting light is held onto the bond. In seconds, this adhesive dries and creates a tight connection to glass and metal surfaces. This speed is a big plus, and it also saves time by eliminating the mixing step required by other adhesives.
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