Are you a furniture craftsman? Definitely need glue that can stick to wood media, HPL, foam, and other media. Or are you a maker of handicraft accessories? Then you need glue that can stick to paper, cloth, plastic to rubber media. From these two points of view, it is clear that glue is needed in various activities, especially in handcrafting.
From these two points of view we can also know that glue has different characteristics and types depending on its use. For those of you who are still confused about the types of glue, its uses and tips for choosing the right glue, here Aica gives a tips & trick!
Tips Choosing Glue
Don't carelessly choose glue as an adhesive medium, make sure the glue you choose can accommodate your needs with good function. So that you don't buy the wrong one, here are some tips on choosing glue so that it's right for you.
1. Choose Based on Type and Needs
Glue is divided based on several types, usually determined by the base of the glue which will affect the characteristics of the glue itself. Here are some types of glue on the market:
a. PVA Glue
This glue is made of PVA (Polyvinyl Acetate) synthetic material. Commonly known as white glue, this glue is very easy to find in building store around you. Usually, white glue is used to glue media such as wood and paper. This glue also has a distinctive aroma so you can easily recognize this product by its strong scent.
b. Solvent Glue
Solvent glue is a glue that uses organic solvents and synthetic rubber as its basic ingredients, making it a glue with high adhesion. In Indonesia, solvent glue is often referred as yellow glue because it has a bright yellow color. One of the well-known glues included in this type of classification is Aica-Aibon glue. This glue has been a pioneer of yellow glue in Indonesia since 1974 with various types and different uses. For example, Aica-Aibon S+ and Aica-Aibon 7 glues specialize in HPL bonding, Aica-Aibon Super for gluing metal sheet, Aica-Aibon 10 for use on plywood media, and don't forget about Aica-Aibon 601, a very versatile yellow glue. Easy to find in building store and minimarkets. In using this type of glue, we must first clean the media to be pasted so that it is free from dust, oil and other impurities. The correct way to use Aica-Aibon glue is as follows:
- Clean the media to be pasted, make sure it is free from dust, oil and other impurities, especialy for application on HPL
- Apply Aica-Aibon glue on both surfaces to be pasted. So the system is glue on glue
- Do not stick it directly! Wait about 15 minutes before gluing the two surfaces together
- After that, stick the two surfaces together and press for 5 minutes so that the surfaces are perfectly glued
For more information about various Aica-Aibon glue products and their uses and specifications, click here.
c. Silicon Glue
This glue is usually white and shaped like a paste. Silicone glue is commonly used to glue glass, especially in aquariums, this type of glue is also very suitable for use on various furniture that is placed outdoors because it tends to withstand heat and humidity. This type of glue usually comes in an elongated tube with a funnel at the end, and you need a special tool like a "gun" as a tool to use the glue. One example of silicone glue is SE-8 glue.
d. Ethyl Cyanocrylate
Ethyl Cyanocrylate glue or may be more familiar as 'Korean glue' has strong adhesion and tends to dry very quickly. You can use this glue to glue plastic, rubber, various types of ceramics, it's no wonder this glue is also often referred to super glue. You have to be extra careful when using this glue, as mentioned earlier this glue dries very quickly, so if it comes into contact with the skin it will immediately harden and will be quite difficult to clean.
e. Starch Glue
Starch glue is glue that you can get at the nearest bookstore around you and is commonly called 'paper glue'. This glue might be the glue with the "weakest" adhesive power when used to glue media such as wood, plastic and so on. But for media such as HVS paper, lined folio, cardboard, drawing books and other paper media, this glue is strong enough to be relied on and the price tends to be very cheap.
And there are many other types of glue that you can find on the market, make sure you buy the right one as you need!
2. Choose Based on Adhesion
Determine how strong the adhesive strength of the glue you have to buy, because this will be related to the price of the glue. If you just want to glue colored paper for a craft project, just use starch glue, it will be more efficient and cheaper. If you want to glue a broken ceramic cup handle, of course you have to buy Etyl Cyanocrylate glue (super glue) which according to its specifications is indeed capable of bonding ceramics. Likewise, if you are a furniture craftsman and are going to glue HPL to a plywood board, you must use Aica-Aibon S+ glue as a specialist for attaching HPL.
3. Pay attention to the Product Safety Label
Make sure you pay attention to the security label of the glue product you buy. If you buy glue with a strong odor, it's a good idea to use a mask to avoid inhaling the product directly, and don’t forget to do the work in an open space. And if you are using high-adhesive glue, you should use gloves to avoid direct contact between the glue and your hands.
After reading the tips, make sure you choose a glue product that suits your needs, whether it's to complete school assignments, repair damaged items or even as a medium to support work. And the most important thing is to always pay attention to the safety aspects of the product you choose.