How to choose the right adhesive for the job

Have you ever looked for the right glue or adhesive to use on a DIY job and been baffled by the range of products? Here’s a simple breakdown of what to use for a few basic jobs around the home.
Traditionally, the word glue was used to refer to bonding agents derived from natural products, while adhesives were those with synthetic bases. But today, most glues and adhesives are synthetic-based, so the terms are interchangeable.
When purchasing an adhesive, it’s best to consider the two surfaces that need to be attached, then select one that bonds with both.
The main types of adhesives include epoxies, superglues, contact adhesives, polyvinyl acetates (PVA), polyurethanes, construction adhesives and specialty adhesives.

Adhesive for fixing furniture

When repairing a wobbly chair or any other pieces of furniture with loose timber joints, choose a PVA adhesive.
These need no mixing, they dry clear, are easy to sand and are water-based, so clean up easily.
PVAs are also fast setting, strong and versatile. Weldbond is fume-free and acts as a glue, bonding agent, sealer and primer.
It can be used on almost any surface from timber to metal and masonry.

Adhesive for attaching skirting boards

To secure skirting, use construction adhesive. It’s multipurpose and heavy duty, and comes in a tube, cartridge or pressure pack.
Construction adhesives have great gap-filling qualities, so can bond smooth or rough surfaces, including timber, plasterboard, foam, concrete and glass.
Use Sika MaxTack for skirting or shelving, as after three seconds of applied pressure it bonds strongly, so there is no need to use nails or vices.

Adhesive for mending ornaments

Had the grandkids over for a visit and a much-loved ornament has been dropped and damaged? Try one of the superglues.

Superglues, or cyanoacrylates, are available in both liquid and non-drip gel form.

They cure in minutes and reach full strength in about two hours.

Use superglues for very small repairs where a strong, waterproof bond is needed, such as fixing glass, ceramics or toys, or to assemble model kits.

Adhesive for tile walls

As they’re used mostly in wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens, adhesives for wall tiles are designed to be waterproof and bond to a range of substrates like concrete, FC sheet and ply.

Wall tile adhesives come in powder form or ready-mixed, have superior flexibility and high grab to support heavy tiles.

Apply the adhesive using a notched trowel and then adhere the tiles.

Adhesive to reattach laminate

The damaged edge of a laminate benchtop can be glued back down using contact adhesive.
A rubbery glue developed to mend punctures in inner tubes, it is now mainly used to attach sheet materials to particleboard like benchtops and kickboards.
Available as either a solvent or water-based type, apply it to both surfaces with a brush, then press together when tacky.
The adhesive bonds on contact, so clamps aren’t needed.