Are you new to woodwork? Maybe you have a small repair that needs to be done, and you want to try to fix it yourself. Either way, you need to know how long it takes for wood glue to dry. We have taken it upon ourselves to do some research on the topic. You can see our findings below.
In general, most wood glues take roughly 24 hours to cure completely. However, the glue will typically dry within 30 minutes to an hour as long as the joints are not under stress.
You now know the drying times of wood glue, but there is a lot more to learn. Keep reading to find out the difference between curing and drying, dry times of different products, factors that play a role in those times, and much more.
How Long Does it Take for Wood Glue to Dry?
Wood glue typically dries within 30 minutes to an hour if it is not subjected to stress. However, it takes approximately 24 hours for the glue to cure completely. Before going any further, you should know the difference between dry time and cure time. Many people use the two interchangeably, but there is a big difference.
Cure time is most likely what you are looking for in this post. It is the length of time you should wait before putting the product through everyday use. On the other hand, dry time refers to how long it takes for the glue to dry enough before adding another coat, removing clamps, or performing some light sanding and other procedures.
Factors That Affect Dry Time
When working with wood glue, it's important to note that certain factors will affect the dry times of your glue. Those factors include:
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Surface
Recommended temperature will vary from product to product. Most glues will not work as well in extreme hot or cold temperatures. Therefore, if you are working outside in the summer or winter, you may need to double the time for your wood glue to dry and cure. This is also true of humidity.
If you are using raw wood, it will dry faster than wood that has an existing finish. The moisture content of the wood with which you are working also plays a major role in drying times. If you are working with wood that is nice and dry, there is nothing to worry about. However, if your wood is damp, the glue will take longer to dry. If you aren't sure, you can check the moisture content of your wood using a moisture meter.
You can find this moisture meter on Amazon.
Drying Times Per Product
When using wood glue, the drying times will vary depending on the brand. Below, we will discuss the different drying and curing times for two popular brands of wood glue.
Gorilla Wood Glue
Gorilla Wood Glue is a PVA water-based adhesive with a total cure time of 24 hours. According to the manufacturer, it only requires 20 to 30 minutes of clamp/dry time. To be accurate, you will need to be working in an area with a temperature between 55 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit with low humidity levels and wood that has little to no moisture content.
Gorilla Wood Glue is type 2 water-resistant, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor use on hardwoods, softwoods, and natural wood composites.
You can purchase Gorilla Wood Glue on Amazon.
Gorilla Ultimate Wood Glue
If you need an extremely durable wood glue that will hold up to all the elements, Gorilla Ultimate Wood Glue is the product for you. While you still have the 20 to 30-minute dry time and 24 hour cure time, you get an extended assembly time of 15 minutes, which is the time you have after you apply the glue before having the wood positioned. During this time, you can fix any mistakes you may have made in placement.
You can apply Gorilla Ultimate Wood Glue in temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and it is type 1 water-resistant. Excessive heat, moisture, and humidity will lengthen the dry and cure times. However, once dry, this glue can withstand the elements, making it perfect for outdoor use.
You can purchase Gorilla Ultimate Wood Glue on Amazon.
Elmer's Carpenter's Interior/Exterior Wood Glue Max
Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Glue Max is an extremely durable, type 1 waterproof product. Like Gorilla Wood Glue, this product offers a dry time, under normal conditions, between 20 and 30 minutes, and a cure time of 24 hours. These estimates are based on temperatures between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit with little to no humidity and moisture content.
Its resistance to heat, mold, and mildew make it excellent for outdoor use, and the product specifications claim that its bond is stronger than the wood itself.
You can find Elmer's Carpenter's Interior/Exterior Wood Glue Max on Amazon.
Elmer's Carpenter's Interior Wood Glue
Elmer's Carpenter's Interior Wood Glue is for interior use only. It is not meant to withstand the elements and is not waterproof. It is good for use on softwoods hardwoods, particleboard, and porous material. The typical dry time is between 20 and 30 minutes, with a cure time of 24 hours.
These times are based on temperatures between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and will increase with fluctuations of temperature, moisture content, and humidity.
You can find Elmer's Carpenter's Interior Wood Glue on Amazon.
FAQs About Wood Glue
How Can I Get Wood Glue to Dry Faster?
Working Conditions
There are definitely ways to get your wood glue to dry faster. However, you should still give it the recommended 24 hours to curate. As mentioned before, moisture, humidity, and temperature all play a role in the drying time for your glue. By ensuring that you are working in an area within the recommended temperatures with as little humidity and moisture as possible, you can help your glue dry faster.
Airflow
As with most other substances, you can get wood glue to dry faster by applying air to the surface. Hot air works better, such as a heater or blow dryer, but you can use a fan as well. If your workspace is a bit humid, you can use a dehumidifier to speed up the process.
Smaller Application
Although you need enough glue to hold your wood together, make sure you don't overload the piece with glue. This increases the drying time and will also create a mess.
Can You Use Regular Gorilla Glue for Wood?
Original Gorilla Glue for wood works on almost any surface and can be used in workspace temperatures down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is water-resistant, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. Unlike Gorilla Wood Glue, you will need to lightly spray one surface with water before applying. For hardwoods, dampen both surfaces. This activates the product, causing it to expand.
The dry/clamp time for Original Gorilla Glue is slightly longer than that of Gorilla Wood Glue. The regular glue will need approximately 1 to 2 hours, while the wood glue only needs about 20 to 30 minutes. However, both require a curing time of 24 hours.
Does Gorilla Tape Work on Wood?
Gorilla tape works on a variety of surfaces, including wood. It is extremely durable and also weather-resistant, meaning it is great for both indoor and outdoor use. However, it is not double-sided, so it will be a little more difficult to use than glue if you are trying to stick two pieces of wood together. Glue will also create a better appearance.
You can purchase Gorilla Tape on Amazon.
Is Titebond Wood Glue?
Titebond offers a wide range of wood glue products. It comes in different strengths and consistencies as well as drying times. According to the manufacturers, Titebond Polyurethane Glue has a clamp time of approximately 45 minutes and an astonishing cure time of only 6 hours, making it the fastest curing wood glue around.
You can purchase Titebond Polyurethane Glue on Amazon.
Can You Use Titebond on Treated Wood?
You can use Titebond on treated wood; however, Titebond 3 will not work. Since treated wood has a high moisture content, it will prevent the glue from drying and reaching its maximum potential. Instead, you should use Titebond Polyurethane Glue because it will react positively to the moisture, strengthening the bond instead of minimizing it.
Can You Use Super Glue Instead of Wood Glue?
In some cases, super glue is suitable for wood and can even be a better alternative than wood glue. According to manufacturers, Gorilla Super Glue dries almost instantaneously, making it better for jobs that need to be done in a hurry. Super glue also does not require clamps. However, if you need a waterproof adhesive, it's best to stick with Gorilla Wood Glue.
You can purchase Gorilla Super Glue on Amazon.
What Elmer's Glue for Wood?
When you hear the word "Elmer's," you probably picture the little bottles of white school glue you used to get as a kid. However, that glue will not work on wood projects. Elmer's school glue is a lower-grade option that works better for children's craft projects.
If you want to use Elmer's brand glue, you can use Elmer's Glue-All or Elmer's Wood Glue.
You can purchase Elmer's Glue-All on Amazon.
Summary
When doing woodwork, you don't want to wait any longer than necessary for your glue to dry and cure. However, you also don't want to put your finished product in use too soon, risking future mishaps. Follow the above guidelines to make sure you are using the best and quickest drying glue for your woodworking needs.
If you have other questions, there is so much to learn on our blog. Find out if you should glue down hardwood floor on this post, or read this article to learn how to install vinyl and hardwood on stairs with nosewood.