Super glue already dries and cures faster than conventional glues and adhesives. However, if you are really in a hurry, you may want to immediately find a way how to make super glue dry faster.
Why would you want to make super glue, which already dries and sets in less than a minute, dry faster? It depends on the situation. One example is when you are using super glue to fix the heel of your shoe that came off just minutes before your job interview. It could also be that you do not want to hold the piece in place too long.
Whatever your reason may be, there are a couple of ways you can hasten the drying process. Let’s talk about that in this article.
Ways to Make Super Glue Dry Faster
How long does super glue take to dry? Most super glue brands dry and cure quickly, usually in less than a minute. However, if you notice that the one you are using takes a lot of time to dry, you can speed up the process using the following techniques:
Use a hairdryer
You will just need a small hair dryer for this solution. Here are the steps:
Step 1 – Apply the super glue on the surface. Apply the required amount of superglue on the surfaces to be bonded.
Step 2 – Hold or clamp the pieces together. If the pieces are regularly shaped, you can use small clamps or vises to hold them together while waiting for the glue to dry.
Step 3 – Set the hairdryer to the right temperature. Most of the time, a low heat setting on the hairdryer will work. If you are using a lot of super glue, set the heat to medium or medium-high.
Step 4 – Point the hairdryer on the glue. Position the hairdryer’s nozzle a couple of inches away from the glue and hold it in position for around 10 to 15 seconds. This should be enough to make the super glue dry and set.
Use a fan
Step 1 – Apply the super glue on the surfaces you intend to bond. If you will be bonding large surfaces together, use more than just a couple of drops. For large surfaces, you may need the entire contents of a small tube.
Step 2 – Point the fan towards the glue. You don’t need to place the fan near the glue. Just make sure that enough air is blown toward it. It also helps to open a window to let the air circulate better. Depending on the amount of glue used, the fan can make it set in around a minute or so.
Another benefit of using a fan on how to make gorilla super glue dry faster is that you are improving the air ventilation in the room. This can help you deal with the chemical fumes from the glue.
Anyway, if you are working with super glue, you should at least open a window. If you are easily nauseated, improving the ventilation will help you.
Add Baking Soda
For this technique, you will need at least a pinch of baking soda.
Step 1 – Apply as much super glue on the surface as necessary.
Step 2 – Sprinkle some baking soda on the glue. Right after the application, immediately sprinkle some baking soda on it. This will create a reaction that will cause the glue to heat up considerably, thus kickstarting the drying and curing process.
Step 3 – Attach the parts immediately. Immediately after sprinkling the baking soda, you must immediately press the other piece on the one with the glue. You will only have a couple of seconds before the glue will dry completely, so time is of the essence.
Other Possible Drying Solutions
You can also further speed up the process of drying super glue with the aid of the following simple solutions:
Direct sunlight
The quickest way to quickly dry the glue is to have it exposed to direct sunlight. This is a good option if you work outdoors and you wish to complete your project quickly. The rays of the sun will speed up the drying process significantly, giving you more time to complete other tasks.
The heat from a radiator
If sunlight is insufficient in the spot you are working, you may put the material where you used the glue close to a heating vent or radiator. This lessens the time it takes for the glue to dry as the radiator increases the airflow surrounding the area.
Additional Tips and Advice When Drying Super Glue
Work in an environment that is not only warm but has low humidity – The reason is that glue tends to cure the quickest in high temperatures and low air moisture.
Keep the surface dry before the super glue application – Ensure that you get rid of any excess moisture and water. Note that it takes longer to dry the super glue if the surface is wet. If you plan to work on a porous and damp surface, like wood, air-dry it for around two to three days until it becomes dry to the touch.
Use a quick-dry super glue – This type of adhesive can cure quicker compared to the usual types of glue. Find out whether the super-glue you intend to use has a quick-dry option. You can often find these fast-setting types of super glues meant for wood materials.
Conclusion
Super glue already dries exponentially faster than regular glue, but you can make it dry even faster. Fortunately, the techniques mentioned here are simple and do not require any special tools.
There are many ways how to make super glue dry faster. However, even though you can considerably lessen the drying and curing time of superglue, the process will happen almost instantaneously and leave you with a smaller window for working the glue. Knowing these things will allow you to use superglue more efficiently.