Gorilla Wood Glue is a strong PVA wood glue that creates a very strong bond for wood-to-woodworking jobs. It has a few great qualities and also lacks a few aspects compared to some other wood glues. We will go deeper into Gorilla wood glue to give you the most unbiased view of this product. And this Gorilla wood glue review article will also include a lot of interesting information.
Overview of Gorilla Wood Glue
Gorilla is more commonly known for its original Gorilla Glue formula, but its entry into the wood glue market has stirred things up.
Gorilla Wood Glue is a PVA-based wood glue that creates a very strong bond between two wood surfaces. Usually, the bond will be stronger than the glue itself.
Basically, if you’re doing any kind of home woodworking project. For example, repairing broken kitchen shelves or wooden furniture, reinforcing furniture joints, this glue will not let you down.
There are so many options available, it’s quite pricey, especially the larger bottles.
Pros & Cons of Gorilla Wood Glue
Product Features of Gorilla Wood Glue
One thing that sets Gorilla apart as a company is that they care about the design of their products. There are relatively few companies that can innovate when it comes to a simple PVA wood glue, but Gorilla is more concerned with not only the glue but also the carrying case and the wide range of purchase options they offer.
#1 Create an Extremely Strong Bond
Gorilla Glue is known worldwide for the durability of its glues, and its PVA wood glue is no exception. Between any two boards, Gorilla Wood Glue will create a strong bond, most likely stronger than the wood itself.
If you are gluing a weight-bearing surface (such as a chair leg), it is good practice to mechanically as well as chemically secure the joint. Ask any carpenter and they will tell you whether to use both glue and screws.
Note:
While Gorilla PVA Wood Glue is extremely good for wood on wood applications, it will not form a strong bond with certain materials such as plastic or metal. If you need to glue some other material to a piece of wood or iron glue, consider using Gorilla Glue Original.
#2 Dry in Natural Color
When Gorilla Wood Glue dries, it will have a light brown color, which can then be sanded to a smooth finish, and can be fully polished with PU paint or varnish without worrying about glue stains.
#3 Anti-Glue Cap
Gorilla adds this feature to most of their glue products now and luckily, it’s now available on their wood glue product as well.
This is one of the areas where Gorilla does well and always stands out in all customer comparisons or votes. No there won’t be a need to cut away the dry glue at the end of the cap, it will stay inside and be completely sealed so it won’t harden at the top of the bottle.
#4 Weather Resistant
Gorilla Wood Glue is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Once fully cured, the glue will resist water and help prevent water ingress. The wood around it will rot before the joint is damaged by water!
One small caveat is that you need to make sure the glue is 100% fully cured before exposing it to the elements. If your joint gets wet before it is completely dry, water will weaken the bond and possibly damage the bond.
How to properly use Gorilla Wood Glue?
Wood Glue has some slightly different requirements than some other glues, but if you’ve used any other wood glue before, Gorilla Wood Glue should do the same.
#1 Prepare the Surface You Intend to Bond
Make sure the wood is clean, dust-free, and doesn’t have any varnish or paint on it. Some woods like Teak or Cedar are quite oily in nature. Sanding the surface prior to gluing will ensure a strong bond in these species.
#2 Apply Glue to One or Both Surfaces
You often hear different advice on how to use wood glue that glue should be applied to one or both surfaces. Generally, it depends on the type of mortise between the two pieces. If you’re gluing two 2×4 panels together on one surface that’s fine, but if it’s a complex joint you’ll want to glue both surfaces to ensure as much coverage as possible.
#3 Use Nails or Screws
If required, use any suitable screw or nail at this point while the glue is still wet. This will help hold the pieces together and let the joint harden as one piece instead of letting the wood harden with glue and then using more nails or screws.
#4 Clamping Enough Time
The great thing about PVA wood glue is that the bond is very strong. Unfortunately, to achieve the best possible alignment, you’ll need to let your product clamp together for several hours.
How long it takes to clamp is completely project-dependent, but as a general rule of thumb, I recommend clamping any item for 24 hours to ensure the joint is fully cured.
#5 Clean off Excess Glue and Leave it on
Gorilla Wood Glue is a bit thinner than some other wood glues. This is great for ensuring a good coverage, but it does mean there’s a little more mess than usual.
After you have clamped the pieces of wood together, it is normal for some glue to come out from between the two surfaces. This can be cleaned up at a later date, but it’s much easier if you catch it now and wipe it off with a damp cloth.
What Material is Gorilla Wood Glue Best Used For?
Of course, as the name suggests, wood glue is designed to be used on two pieces of wood.
It won’t make a strong bond with plastic, metal, glass, or anything else (except maybe fabric, paper, and cardboard) so if your project isn’t wood, you definitely would be better with a different solution depending on the material.
Gorilla Glue for Wood Works with Materials: Not suitable for materials:
Wood Plastic of any kind Paper Metal Carton Ceramics Cotton Stone
If your project uses these materials, you can refer to some other types of Gorilla glue such as:
Gorilla Clear Grip Contact Adhesive
Gorilla Clear Glue
Gorilla Super Glue Gel
Gorilla Micro Precise Super Glue
Frequently Asked Questions about Gorilla Wood Glue
What are the Ingredients of Glue?
Gorilla Wood Glue is a water-based PVA glue. The main ingredients are water and PVC (Polyvinyl Acetate). As the water evaporates, PVC is what allows the glue to stick and hold surfaces together.
How to use Glue Safely?
Wood glue is quite safe, if it gets on your skin, wash it off with warm water and soap. The manufacturer recommends that you wear suitable eye/face protection to prevent glue from getting into your eyes.
Will Gorilla Wood Glue expand?
Gorilla Wood glue does not foam or expand when completely dry, so it does not affect the size of the product later.
What Color is it when it Dries?
Dry Gorilla Wood Glue has a natural, milky brown color. It is suitable for most woods, and can be sanded, painted and varnished for the perfect color once dry.
Gorilla Wood Glue Clamp Time?
According to the manufacturer, the glue only has to be clamped within 30 minutes. Depending on the application it can be tightly coupled in as little as 30 minutes, however, it totally depends on your project.
How long it takes for PVA to dry depends on how much pressure is on the joint, how much glue you use, and the humidity and temperature of your surroundings. It also depends on the type of wood you use and how well you have prepared the surface before gluing.
Depending on your project, you should be able to continue working on it after a short clamping time. However, if there is any problem with the joint, you should leave the joint clamped for 24 hours to ensure the joint is completely dry.
Can I use Gorilla Wood Glue on Plastic?
Gorilla Wood Glue is only useful when you have two pieces of wood that need to be glued together. It does not create a strong bond with plastic, metal, or virtually any other non-wooden surface.
Shelf Life of Wood Glue Gorilla?
Gorilla Wood Glue is just like any other PVA glue. It’s PVA suspended in water, as long as the water doesn’t evaporate, the glue will be wet and ready to use. Keep the lid tightly sealed and it will last for years in the cabinet.