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These are the commonest types of glue you'll need at home, and how to use them.
Contact glue
Uses
Paper, leather, wood – but not for
wood on wood – plastic, vinyl, electrical
wire, rope, rubber and ceramics.
Properties
Suitable for most jobs. It
is translucent or cream coloured. The
translucent glue is not as tough as the
creamy glue, but it's better if a neat finish
is required or if the glue might be visible.
Both types are available in small
tubes, but the cream-coloured adhesive
also comes in 20-litre containers. This
glue is suitable for bonding leather with
rubber, leather with leather, leather with
wood, tiles and carpets to wood or
cement, many types of plastic, ceramics,
and glass. Contact adhesive remains
pliable even when dry and the bond is
durable and water resistant.
You can work with contact glue for about three minutes once it's been exposed to air. It dries within two to four hours, but only reaches full adhesive strength after 24 to 48 hours.
Application
The surface must be
clean but not too smooth – prepare it
with medium-grit sandpaper. Ensure
that the surfaces fit neatly before you
apply the glue. Cover both surfaces
with a thin layer of glue, then leave to
dry for 10 to 20 minutes. Firmly press
the two surfaces together and hold in
position for three to five minutes. Align
the surfaces correctly when you apply
pressure, because you will not be able
to move them once glued.
Epoxy Glue
Uses
Suitable for ceramics, glass,
stone, hard plastic and wood, and for
repairing tools, kitchen equipment,
handles and metal. Especially suitable
where surfaces do not match and the
glue has to be sanded to achieve a neat
join. Also suitable for filling holes and
chipped areas and can be given a neat
finish with tools once it has dried.
Properties
Made up of two parts: a
binding agent and an activator. Flexible
epoxy glue is also available.
Application
After mixing epoxy glue
according to the instructions on the
packet, a chemical reaction takes place
that causes the glue to harden. The
surface must be prepared and ready for
bonding before you mix the adhesive.
There are different types of epoxy glue:
Wood glue
Uses
Intended for wood, but can be used on cardboard and paper.
Properties
There are three types: fast-drying glue, professional glue
and ultra-waterproof glue. The fast-drying type is best for most indoor
applications. It forms a strong bond and is easy to use.
Professional glue forms a stronger bond and is more resistant to moisture and wear and tear, but it takes longer to dry. Waterproof glue is usually as strong as professional glue, but it is a lot more expensive. Use it on woodwork that will be exposed to the elements.
Application
Position the wooden surfaces with a space of about 0,5mm
in between. The two surfaces must be clamped firmly for about four hours,
although final bond strength is only achieved after 24 hours. Wood
screws are usually used along with cold glue for a strong, durable join.
Good idea
Remove water-based glue from clothing by
first scraping off as much of the glue as
possible with a spoon. Apply petroleum jelly to the stain
and rub gently to remove the remaining bits of glue. Then
use dishwashing liquid to remove the petroleum jelly and
rinse the garment thoroughly in warm water.
Silicone Glue
Uses
It is used as a sealant, as it's airtight, waterproof
and dustproof. Silicone glue binds with most materials
and forms a permanent, strong and flexible bond.
Small amounts of silicone used on smaller areas are not
particularly strong – rather use another type of glue.
Silicone is especially suitable for use on glass, metal,
cement, stone, wood and even fabric and leather.
Properties
Silicone glue takes a long time to dry and it
usually takes a number of hours to form a strong bond,
so it is not suitable for carrying a considerable weight
soon after application. For example, if you want to stick
a mirror to the wall, you can use silicone only if you
can support the mirror and hold it in position by some
other means while the adhesive dries.
The great benefit of silicone is that it forms a more durable and stronger waterproof seal than other adhesives. It is available in white, clear and black. Neatly finish the silicone immediately after applying it and then leave to dry.
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Image: Ablestock
Make these delicious pork kebabs with an extra spicy kick.
A hot new asian spot for the cosmopolitan crowd, the Geisha Wok and Noodle Bar offers a unique, dashing style of cuisine.
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