Hot glue works on a variety of surfaces. But you should not use it on every surface because it may not work on some. Keeping a tab on what glue works on what surface is tiresome. We have done the job for you, so you do not have to! Scroll down to find suitable glue for your work.
Does hot glue stick to glass?
Yes, hot glue sticks to glass, but they are not an appropriate pick. The surface of the glass may become too smooth for hot glue to stick ok. For this reason, manufacturers produce different types of glues for various purposes. But using hot glue for regular work will cause no problem.
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Hot glues work best on non-porous surfaces, surfaces that water or air cannot penetrate through. The best would be to look for manufacturers’ advice, but we have a list for you if you cannot find any.
Glass to glass:
Yes, you can use hot glue for attaching glass with glass. But this is not widely followed as some hot glues become yellowish upon drying. And people have reported breaking fragile glass pieces with hot glue.
Do not worry cause if you use low to medium heat hot glue, you will be fine. Use clear hot glue sticks to maintain the looks of your glass products. Better alternatives include Epoxy and superglue.
Glass to wood:
Hot glue can be used to glue glass to wood. But you should note that one is a solid, rigid surface while the other can contract or bend. And glasses come with their cons too.
So, epoxy adhesives are used instead of hot glue. Hot glue bond is not as strong as epoxy adhesives or superglue. Silicone adhesives are also preferred for being water-resistant.
Plastic to glass:
Plastic and glass both have smooth surfaces, which is a problem for hot glues. Nonetheless, you can use hot glue to attach plastic to wood.
For that, you may have to take some preparation like cleaning grease and oils and roughening up plastic and glass’s surface.
Other glues that work better in this circumstance are superglue and epoxy adhesive. These glues have better bonding power than hot glues.
Paper to glass:
Yes, you can use hot glue to attach the paper to the glass. The honest answer depends on how long you want the paper to stick onto the glass. For temporary fit, you can use regular water-soluble glues that you can take off easily.
For long-lasting results, you can use mod podge or Elmer’s glue.
Metal to glass:
Hot glues are a big no when it comes to metal and glass. Both have smooth surfaces that hot glue finds a tough time sticking to. However, you can use Hot glue to adhere metal to glass if you cannot find other alternatives.
Glues that work fine on metal and glass are super glue and Epoxy. You can use superglue for smaller joints, where Epoxy is preferred for heavier objects.
Does hot glue break or melt glass?
Yes, hot glue can break the glass. It is a general rule to set the temperature of Hot glue machine between a range of 250-degree Fahrenheit and 380-degree Fahrenheit to avoid breaking glasses. If you do not have this feature available, use low to medium heat glue machines.
If you are dealing with fragile and sophisticated glass, you need to be extra careful. Thin glasses are susceptible to breaking on heat. You can use other non-melt adhesives that do not break the glass.
Can you use hot glue on glass ornaments and sea glasses?
Hot glues are not the best product for glass ornaments. Sophisticated materials like glass ornaments can break upon the application of hot glue. Epoxy and superglue will work better in such circumstances.
Yes, you can use hot glue on sea glasses. For decorative purposes, you may have to use clearer glue sticks. Adhering sea glasses with hot glue is easier to take off. Flexible Epoxy works better for firmer bonding.
What glue is best for glass?
Glasses come in various shapes, and each glue serves a different purpose. Superglue works best for piecing together glass and for regular usage. Epoxy glues are used for permanent bonding. Silicone adhesives are preferred for industrial-grade bonding.
Choosing the suitable glue depends on the indoor or outdoor application, bond strength, and drying time.
Does hot glue stick to these surfaces?
Hot glue sticks to many surfaces. Let’s see in detail below.
Metal:
Hot glue does stick to metal, but it is not reliable like other adhesives. Hot glue will peel off smooth surfaces easily. For hot glue to bond, you will have to roughen up the metal’s surface with a soft metal scrubber. Roughening up smooth surfaces increases adhesion.
Look for grease or oil before applying glue. Clean with soap water and let it dry. Use max temperature on your hot glue machine for firmer bonding. If the outcome is not what you expected, you should move to alternatives like Epoxy.
Silicone:
No, hot glue does not stick to silicone. Silicone has a smooth surface. Sticking hot glue to smooth surfaces is a hassle. Hot glue will easily peel off and ruin your project.
It is wise to avoid future uncertainties that come with using hot glue on silicone. Alternatives like Epoxy and silicone adhesives work best on silicone surfaces.
Wood:
Yes, Hot glue sticks to wood. But choosing the suitable glue could be tricky. You have to consider factors like moisture, flexibility, outdoor weather, and water resistivity. Wood may even contract or expand based on weather conditions.
For bonds where moisture is high, you can use Polyurethane hot melt adhesives as they are waterproof. Silicone adhesives and Epoxy works fine on wood.
Plastic:
Sticking Hot glue on the slippery plastic surface is a challenging task. The bond will not be strong and may peel off in the future. Better alternatives such as superglue and Epoxy are used instead.
However, you can use hot glue on other regular plastic products. Be careful while using hot glue because it may melt thin and fragile plastic.
Hot glues often become yellow after drying, so you should buy the one that stays clear. Roughen up the smooth surface of plastic for better adhesion.
Aluminum Foil:
No, hot glue does not stick to aluminum foil for its smooth surface. Hot glue forms a weak bond and comes off the surface quickly. For crafting or other purposes, use Epoxy or superglue.
Epoxy and superglue stick well with smooth surfaces. They provide you with a stronger bond on aluminum foil that lasts a long time. Other glues like wood glues also work on aluminum foil. However, the former ones are preferred more.
Fabric:
Yes, you can use Hot glue on the fabric. However, you should be careful before applying hot glue to the fabric. Fabric is of several types, so there is a risk of burning synthetic low heat tolerant fabrics.
Low-temperature hot melt adhesives are ideal for attaching the fabric. This temperature ranges around 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Be careful while applying on nylon, cotton, and linen cause they are sensitive to heat.
Rubber:
Hot glue sticks to rubber. But substitutes like silicone adhesives and superglue does the work better. Rubber products can be of any shape, which requires a precise hot glue machine.
For heavy objects, it is better to use silicone adhesives as they are durable than hot glue. Hot glue best works for regular works.
Styrofoam:
No, you cannot use hot glue on Styrofoam. The melting point of Styrofoam is low, so high-heating hot glue melts it. You should never use hot glue to attach two styrofoams. There are glues available that are specifically made to work on styrofoams.
However, low heat hot glues work great on Styrofoam. Turn your Hot glue machine’s heat to low, or around 250 degrees Fahrenheit. For thin styrofoams, it is better to use Styrofoam glues.
Cardboard:
Hot glue and cardboard go together like bread and butter. Hot glue is the number one choice for doing cardboard projects. Sticking various shapes of cardboard with hot glue is more straightforward than using other non-hot melt adhesives.
Final thoughts
Hot glues are well known for their diverse use because it seems to stick to any surface. Despite its wonderful features, you should be careful while applying to glasses. Some glasses are weaker, while others require stronger adhesives. Look for appropriate glues before you start working.