It all started after a friendly fight in my neighbor’s workshop where he said that Gorilla glue is the only quick dry glue he ever needs while I claimed that the original super glue is good enough for my amateur needs. For the fun of it, we added Krazy glue and scotch as well.
The next step was to agree on a set of tests that will determine which one is better, remember that we are not experts and we definitely do not have a fancy testing lab or anything like that. We have decided to test those products for common uses. Sure, other people have other uses but for us, this list of tests seems to be enough. We have also included a list of the main things we do with fast adhesives here so you will be able to understand the reasoning for the tests.
You might have other tests to suggest and we will sure do like to hear about those and maybe add them to this piece.
Best quick glue results
In order not to bore you with the long details, here are the results :
And the winner is …
#1 – Gorilla Glue
Easily the best glue between the four tested. Took the first place in all three important aspects: Strong, quick dry and easy to work with. While there is no question about its adhesiveness I feel that its gel form and how is it is to work with could have given him the first place on its own. True, it cost a little more but there is no doubt that it is the best. On top of that, they have the gel version which is even better (check on Amazon)
#2 – Scotch
Got the same results in terms of toughness and how quickly it is to dry. Might share the first place with the ape if a price would have been added as a factor.
#3 – Original super glue
A great surprise on breaking point test compared to the price.
#4 – Krazy Glue
Took the last place and deserved it… very slow to dry compared to the other and was the first to break down on the ‘how strong’ test.
How did we test it?
We have used three basic structures:
Plastic represented by lego square. True, plastic is a wide range of materials that behave differently with each adhesive but this is what we have. All 4 products did well. The little structure feels solid yet there is a clear difference in what remains (residue)
The metal which is represented by a pack of 2 heavy screws. This one it an interesting one, I believe that the awkward surface and the weight on the metal will be a challenge to hold. All 4 products did a good job.
Leather – for that we used… leather :) Why? mainly because it can react as a sponge to the liquid and it will be interesting to see how the different products will react. Bottom line, they all failed :( Initially it seems like the Gorilla will be able to do it and it was easy to work with its gel form but after a day it broke down easily.
Super glue for leather? no! look for other adhesives.
Why those materials and not others? Just because we think those are the things we fix the most. Maybe in a later stage, we will add rubber and glass.
In term of glues, we just acquired the most basic versions. Different and more advanced version will surely behave differently but it is an endless matrix of option that we do not have the capacity to check.
Strength
We have run two tests on the lego structure and one on a human volunteer. For the lego structure, we have tested the weight it can hold using a digital weight and wanted to find the breaking point of the glues structures:
It took some time and effort to slowly find the suite spot. Initially, we didn’t give the products enough respect and asked a 12yo kid to do the pulling. Sadly he didn’t have enough power for the better products :
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- Gorilla glue and scotch: 100lb
- Original super glue: 90lb
- Krzay glue: 40lb
BUT! What we have found out after looking on the broken pieces was kind of amazing. The glue didn’t break but the lego bricks did! Even on pulling power of 100lb the glues hold :
For the third and ultimate test, our brave gunnie pig allowed his fingers to get glued and gave us his impression about the strength of each candidate. Rest assure that he thoroughly cleaned his fingers with acetone between each test.
result were the same like the breakup test. Seems like the Krazy one is not even trying
Waterproof
This one is very important and stirs up a lot of interest. For that, we used to tests :
- Two days in water – Just put our structures in a bucket full of water for two days and see if it has any effect. We didn’t run the whole strength test again but just validated it by eye and hand
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- Glued plastic and metal in the water
Final result: no change at all. All remain solid and it seems like plain water has no effect on the stickiness.
- The goal of the second test was to check the sealing abilities of the materials on cracked and open surfaces. Sadly none of them did any good. A 1mm hole was too much for them and even the gorilla gel didn’t make it. Bummer.
Heat resistance
The idea that we can leave something glued in our car on a hot summer day led us to the test of putting our glues structures into an oven heated to 122F for an hour. Same like in the water resistance test we checked by eyes and hand only.
All products remain glued and there were no serious breakups. While still, hot the super glue get the best grade for solidness on the plastic front while Krazy gets the worst for both plastic and metal. It seems like it is the only one that became a bit spongy and the plastic bricks were not really solid together
Residues
Picture of nail polish remover
We hate the ugly plastic remains that spill from all sides or cloud our stuff. We needed to check that those can be easily removed by using a standard nail polish remover.
There was much less spill on the Gorilla sample. The original super glue left some kind of dust like remains.
Final result: A win to the Gorilla, the rest require some carefulness when applying.
Quick dry
One of the important aspects for a day to day use. You have to know that you can trust your glue after only a short time of holding it. Yes, we know about giving it time to completely dry up but this is a fast glue and we want it to work fast.
Official numbers on the Gorilla glue state 10-45 seconds so we have decided on 30 seconds and immediately try to break the bonds. In this case, the Krazy glue was the most problematic and especially on the metal test. We believe that even after 2 minutes we could have touched on non-dried areas.
Not tested
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- One area that we really wanted to check but avoided is the healing properties of super glue. We are not doctors, or EMTs or anything like that so we are anywhere near being qualified to deal with those aspects. In other words… please ignore whatever we say in this part.
- Applicators – True, some of them are great but we are kind of old school
- Different types of adhesives from the various vendors. We do not have the time and resources to check them all. We tried to stick with the very basic super glue.
Can superglue really help with blisters?
One can find a lot of reports from ultra athletes, hikers and army people using super glue to kind of create a temporary second skin. See one explanation here
How to deal with superglue burns?
First, you have to know that it is completely possible to be burned by super glue. There are official reports about those cases where sensitive skin reacts to super glue in the same way it reacts to hazardous materials. Why take any chances? Just assume it not safe to the skin and remain on the safe side.
In terms of treatment, it is mostly similar to regular burns unless there is a messy stickup of glues materials to the affected area (fabrics and such)
Is super glue toxic for cuts?
In short: Yes it is perfectly possible to close wounds with super glue but there better ways to do it. Way over our pay grade so you are welcome to read it all here
Based on our online research we learned that Cyanoacrylate is safe and has been used for medical purposes for a long time. Yet reading the products labels there are so many warnings that don’t really let us relax on using this cement for emergency treatment needs.
Our fast dry glue uses
Like the person next door, there is no one thing we are using gorilla glue for. If we try to compile a list of the main thing we are doing with this useful adhesive it will probably looks like this :
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- Main use is surely toys and jewelry. Those little breakups of plastic toys or a little stone falling from an earing are at first place
- Science projects and little home fixes come next. Stuff at home usually requires a little stronger materials but the fast drying is a great feature that helps nail problems.
- Little wood breakups. It never lasts as good as a screw but when there is no real weight on the little pieces then this one is great for the quick and dirty
- Arts and crafts
- Camping and outdoor gear
- Workshop and tools breakups
FAQ
What is Gorilla Glue, Super Glue, and Scotch Tape?
Gorilla Glue is a brand of polyurethane-based adhesive that is known for its strong and durable bond. Super Glue is a cyanoacrylate-based adhesive that forms a very strong bond quickly. Scotch Tape is a brand of transparent tape that is commonly used for packaging and sealing.
What are the uses of Gorilla Glue, Super Glue, and Scotch Tape?
Gorilla Glue can be used for a variety of applications, such as woodworking, metalworking, and bonding plastic materials. Super Glue is often used for bonding small items such as jewelry, ceramics, and electronics. Scotch Tape is commonly used for sealing envelopes, packages, and boxes.
Are Gorilla Glue, Super Glue, and Scotch Tape safe to use?
Gorilla Glue, Super Glue, and Scotch Tape are generally safe to use as directed. However, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, and to avoid contact with skin or eyes.
Can Gorilla Glue, Super Glue, and Scotch Tape be removed once they have been applied?
Yes, Gorilla Glue, Super Glue, and Scotch Tape can be removed if necessary. Gorilla Glue can be removed with acetone or sandpaper. Super Glue can be removed with acetone or nail polish remover. Scotch Tape can be removed with a blade or scissors.
How long does it take for Gorilla Glue, Super Glue, and Scotch Tape to dry or set?
The drying or setting time for Gorilla Glue, Super Glue, and Scotch Tape varies depending on the specific product and the conditions in which it is used. Gorilla Glue typically takes 10-20 minutes to set, while Super Glue sets in seconds. Scotch Tape adheres immediately upon application.
Can Gorilla Glue, Super Glue, and Scotch Tape be used on all types of surfaces?
Gorilla Glue, Super Glue, and Scotch Tape can be used on many different surfaces, but it is important to select the right product for the specific surface and application. For example, Gorilla Glue is not recommended for use on polyethylene or polypropylene plastics.
How should Gorilla Glue, Super Glue, and Scotch Tape be stored?
Glues should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. It is important to keep the containers tightly sealed when not in use to prevent the adhesive from drying out.
Can Gorilla Glue, Super Glue, and Scotch Tape be used in extreme temperatures?
The performance of Gorilla Glue, Super Glue, and Scotch Tape may be affected by extreme temperatures. Gorilla Glue and Super Glue may not bond well in temperatures below 4°C or above 54°C. Scotch Tape may not stick well in temperatures below 10°C.
Are there any safety precautions that should be taken when using Gorilla Glue, Super Glue, and Scotch Tape?
Yes, it is important to take certain safety precautions when using Gorilla Glue, Super Glue, and Scotch Tape. This includes wearing gloves and eye protection, working in a well-ventilated area, and avoiding prolonged skin contact.