If you want to repair wooden crafts or create new ones, then Gluing wood pieces together is the safe, clean and easy solution. In the woodworking world, Elmer’s Glue is the popular name for gluing wood pieces together. But does Elmer’s glue work well on wood?
Yes, Elmer’s glue works well on wood. It has become one of the popular choices for wood surfaces because it can make strong bonds and dries fast. From minor damages to light works, it would be your go-to option. Elmer’s Carpenter wood glue is best suitable for heavier projects.
Besides, Elmer’s has an all-in-one and waterproof version for wood bonding. Later in this guide, we will share a brief understanding of elmer’s glue and woodworking.
What is Elmer’s wood glue?
Elmer’s is a US-based familiar brand (company). One of the most popular products in its production line is Elmer’s wood glue, a multi-purpose adhesive product.
According to Wikipedia, “another name of Elmer’s glue is Polyvinyl acetate. It is commonly known as school glue, PVA glue, wood glue, school glue, white glue, and carpenter’s glue”.
It is a widely available glue/adhesive for porous materials like wood to other wood bonding.
Ingredients of Elmer’s wood glue formulation:
Elmer says that its wood glue isn’t formulated with any animals or their hides. The Active ingredient of Elmer’s wood glue is Poly-Vinyl Acetate/PVA (C4H6O2)n. It is a water-based emulsion of propylene, polyvinyl acetate, and polyvinyl alcohol.
When this PVA is mixed with petroleum in a water-based solution, it becomes a strong adhesive that is highly effective for wood bonding or joining.
Experts’ saying: Elmer’s wood glue is made of
According to Conservation & Art Materials Encyclopedia Online (CAMEO), elmer’s wood glue is a pale yellow adhesive that is formulated with an aqueous emulsion of polyvinyl acetate. Usually, it is not designed for prolonged use because it uses many additives in its preparation.
Elmer’s glue is made from PVA (safe to use) ~Michael Townsend, Materials Specialist at Golden Artist Colors.
I don’t find any hazardous chemicals in the chemical formulation of Elmer’s wood glue. I believe PVA is the main ingredient because it is seemingly made of petroleum-based, synthesized chemicals ~Vincent Fregeac; Technical Textiles Engineer.
Does elmer’s glue work on wood?
Yes, elmer’s glue works on wood. Like most PVA glues, it is designed and manufactured for bonding wood to wood. Elmer’s have both normal and special types of glue formulas.
Using special and powerful glue can make such a hard bond that the wood in the surrounding area may fail, but the bond will remain stiff.
On the other hand, if you use a regular version of elmer’s glue, the joints can be weaker than the stronger version. As it is a water-soluble item, it can break if it comes close to water or moisture.
Tips: The normal elmer’s glue is ideal for light wood bonding like balsa wood.
But when it comes to joining wood furniture or repairing wood structures, then Elmer’s Carpenter Wood glue wouldn’t be the wrong choice.
Overall, if you asked me to rate this glue based on its activity over the wood joining, then I will give it a 5-star rating. Wanna know why? Well, listen, the most significant point of marking this glue 5* over other wood glues is its clamping time.
According to elmer’s official statement, 20 to 30 minutes of clamp time is enough for elmer’s glue to make the bond dry enough to work with, whereas the normal adhesives need 24 hours or more.
Once again, if you have any questions about its performance, then I will assure you that you will find them as high-performing glue for your projects.
But I want to clarify that the performance of wood glues depends on a few variables. Following are three important points that can change the result of elmer’s glue strength on wood.
- The porosity of different types of wood surfaces
- How much glue do you use
- The temperature and humidity of the work area.
Finally, to get a safe, sustainable, and stress-free result on wood, let the elmer’s glue clamp well, dry well, and settle well.
Note: For the first 24 hours, don’t leave any heavy pressure on the joining part.
How strong is elmer’s wood glue?
Elmer’s wood glue could be one of the best choices for those who need glue with a stronghold. Usually, the wood glue strengths are 3,600 to 4000 lbs per square inch (roughly). But what is the strength level of Elmer’s wood glue or how strong is Elmer’s wood glue?
In general, Elmer’s wood glue is stronger than wood. The average elmer’s wood glue strengths are above 5000 pounds. It is an all-purpose adhesive for wood and paper that dries faster to form a solid joint or bond.
With this glue, you can cover your interior and exterior projects successfully. It combines wood fibers strongly in its formula.
Is elmer’s wood glue waterproof?
You will find two different versions of Elmer’s wood glue, including:
- Elmer’s regular version of wood glue and
- Elmer’s newest MAX version glue
The newest MAX version of wood glue is 100% waterproof. Nowadays, it has become popular as an all-in-one formula that is at the same time non-toxic, paintable, stainable, sandable, and easy to clean up with water.
When your project is exposed to water, Elmer’s MAX version protects it from degradation.
Besides this, due to its waterproof formulation, you will find this version ideal for outside or indoor areas where certain high humidity levels are available (for example, bathroom or kitchen).
Also, Elmer’s newest version can withstand mildew, mold, and heat. If you want a powerful and safe formula that can ensure an unbreakable bond with any surface, then this waterproof formula by Elmer could be the best bang for the bucks.
How long does elmer’s wood glue take to dry on wood?
The Elmer’s wood glue drying time is about 15-20 minutes (On clamping position for up to half an hour /30 minutes). But it needs 24 hours or longer to dry on wood fully. Once it dries fully it shows its full strength.
Note: Although the product level says Elmer’s glue is a fast-drying choice, sometimes it isn’t quick enough.
However, you can speed up the drying time of elmer’s wood glue by ensuring that the environment contributes to fast drying. In that sense, you can reduce the drying time to less than 30 minutes.
How to use elmer’s wood glue?
When it comes to joining or bonding wood crafts or two or more wood parts, then you need to know the use of elmer’s wood glue. Let’s talk about how to use elmer’s wood glue:
Elmer’s wood glue instructions: Step by step process
Things you need:
- Elmer’s wood glue
- Paint brush
Step 1: open Elmer’s wood glue
Firstly, collect Elmer’s wood glue, grasp it in one hand and open it for later use. If you don’t know how to open Elmer’s wood glue, you can check this video:
How to Open A Glue Bottle.
Step 2: Elmer’s wood glue preparation
Before starting gluing you should ensure the correct preparation. Ensure the surface of the wood is free from dirt and dust. Dirt parts of wood never bond correctly. If needed, you can sand the surface as well. Keep the things ready near you; suppose if you want to use clamps, then keep them ready.
Step 3: Apply wood glue correctly
Make sure to apply wood glue correctly, taking into account preparation, the thickness of glue, and spreading perfectly.
One of the most significant steps you should know is to use the wood glue correctly. Prepare the glue, adjust the thickness, and spread it correctly.
You can use wood glue in different ways.
a) You should apply the glue in a thin layer over the wood surface to get a fast and good bond. If needed, you can apply the adhesive to both wood parts. There is no problem using wood glue on one side.
Another common way to apply glue is to pour the glue directly from the tube and spread it to the entire surface. You can take the help of a gift card to do this job.
b) You can also spread the wood glue with the paintbrush. Dip your paintbrush into Elmer’s glue and let the extra glue drip off. Brush the glue over the wood surface.
Note: Ensure an even and thin layer of Elmer’s glue.
Step 4: Ensure good contact
Now make sure there is good contact between the two parts (of the wood). You can use a clamp to ensure a proper bond.
Note: Clamping is ideal for woods that are under tension.
Step 5: let it dry and remove excessive glue
Let Elmer’s glue dry. It may take 30 minutes to 24 hours. The dry time depends on how thick the layer is.
Remove the excessive glue by using a towel or a wet synthetic scouring pad.
Another way is removing excessive glue after drying it on the surface. You may need to wait 30 to 60 minutes.
Is there a difference between Elmer glue and wood glue?
Yes, there are significant differences between the performance of Elmer glue vs others wood glue. The main difference between them is water content.
White or Elmer glue has higher water content than normal wood glue. It can make a controllable, stronger, and tighter joint than the ordinary wood glue
Final verdict:
Elmer’s glue is an aliphatic rubbery polymer where 50% of its glue is water-based. It is known as school glue, white glue, or wood glue in the US. In a single bottle, you will find 4 oz Elmer’s glue.
It works on many surfaces and joints with semi-porous and porous materials like paper, fabric, and, most importantly, wood.
It is non-inflammable and is safe to work with bare hands. If you have any experience regarding the application of Elmer’s glue on wood, you can share it with us.
