Regardless of what type of project you have in mind, you can very easily glue bottle caps to wood with the right type of adhesive, either a:

• Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks 
• A wood or craft adhesive 
• All-purpose glue (like super glue or gorilla glue)

You may also need a few items to help you apply the glue and attach the bottle caps to wood, such as a cotton swab, sandpaper, and soapy wet rugs. 

Once you have your choice of adhesive, a tool to apply the glue with if needed, and a soapy wet rug to wipe off any excess glue, your project can be done in six easy steps:

1. Prepare both surfaces (bottle caps and wood)
2. Choose the adhesive
3. Apply the glue 
4. Attach the bottle cap to wood
5. Wipe off any excess glue 
6. Let the glue dry and bond 

Continue reading to discover which types of adhesives are best suited for this project for best results and how to take each step the right way. 

Step One: Prepare The Surfaces

Even if it seems that both your bottle caps and wooden surface are clean and ready to go, there may be some dust or debris particles on them that you may not even notice with the naked eye. 

If these dust particles are unnoticeable, is it necessary to do this? Yes, absolutely. 

Dust or debris particles can prevent the adhesive from bonding effectively and holding the two surfaces together long-term without any issues. 

So even if both surfaces seem clean, we still need to clean them to ensure they are actually clean. 

For this step, you will need:

• Clean rag 
• Soapy warm water
• Medium-grit sandpaper 

Do this to prepare your surfaces the right way so you can effectively glue your bottle caps to wood:

1. Dab a clean rag or towel in warm soapy water 
2. Wipe down each bottle cap you will be gluing to the wooden surface 
3. Dab another clean rag in warm water and soap 
4. Wipe down the wooden surface 
5. Let them all dry 

If the wooden surface has rough spots that prevent the bottle caps from sitting on it the way they need to, use medium-grit sandpaper for sanding it and smoothing it out. 

It is okay if the sandpaper is rougher and will create some scratches on the wood – this will help the glue to create a more solid adhesion and build a stronger bond. 

Step Two: Choose The Glue

So before we take any step further, let’s check the adhesive options you have for this project that will give you the desired results. 

You can choose from several types of adhesives that will work with just as much effectiveness. 

A hot glue gun and hot glue sticks. 

A hot glue gun is a commonly used DIY gluing tool. 

It is easy to use and allows you to get projects done fast. 

Hot glue gun sticks are adhesives that will melt through the hot glue gun. Its nozzle offers you pretty good control over the quantity of glue that will come through and where it will go. 

You can find smaller-sized glue guns and glue sticks but also bigger ones. 

When choosing a glue gun and glue sticks for your projects, remember that even if the glue sticks melt, they have a thicker consistency than glue that comes in a tube. 

You can opt for a big glue gun for a small project, work with a small glue gun, and for bigger projects. 

A wood or craft glue. 

Either a wood adhesive or craft glue will work to glue bottle caps to wood. 

These types of adhesives may not run very fast. They may take longer to dry but could be the right thickness to ensure no empty spots between the bottle caps and wood.

You can also go with epoxy glue. It will work just as effectively.  

All-purpose adhesive. 

You can choose from some of the best glues on the market, such as super glue or gorilla glue. 

These can glue almost anything to anything with a very fast drying time resulting in a very strong bond. 

You may find these in smaller tubes for smaller projects. 

Keep in mind that these adhesives may be thinner, and they could run more easily, so don’t squeeze too much out of it all at once. 

Step Three: Apply The Glue

After you have cleaned all the bottle caps and allowed them enough time to fully dry and have chosen an adhesive to work with, apply the glue across the bottle cap (on the side that will be glued wood). 

Follow these steps:

1. Apply a thin layer of the glue to the bottle cap on the side that will be glued to the wood)
2. If necessary, use a cotton swab, small and soft paintbrush, or any other item to spread the adhesive evenly 

With strong adhesives, you don’t need to apply much. 

A thin layer will create a strong and long-lasting bond. 

If you apply a thick layer, most likely, you will need to wipe off excess glue after you glue the bottle caps to wood. 

Step Four: Attach The Bottle Cap To Wood

After you have applied the glue and have spread it evenly across one side of the bottle cap, place the bottle cap on the wood surface and press. 

Keep pressing with your finger until the glue dries. 

You can also use other items to add weight to the bottle to keep the pressure on until it fully dries to the glue. 

Step Five: Wipe Off Any Excess Glue 

If any excess adhesive is bothering you, use a clean rag and warm soapy water to wipe it down. 

Just keep the bottle caps in place and don’t move them. 

Step Six: Let The Glue Dry And Bond 

Some adhesives only need a few seconds (between 10 and 45 seconds) to dry. 

But drying and curing are two different things. 

Just because the glue has dried does not mean it has also cured. 

You see, the curing time takes much longer than the drying time. 

Curing time can take about 5-6 hours or as long as 24 hours. 

Keeping the items secured throughout the curing time is important to ensure a strong long-term hold.

Conclusion

Gluing bottle caps to glue could not be any easier than this. You only need a good adhesive and a few steps, and you are done. 

It is as easy and simple as:

1. Prepare both surfaces (bottle caps and wood)
2. Choose the adhesive
3. Apply the glue 
4. Attach the bottle cap to wood
5. Wipe off any excess glue 
6. Let the glue dry and bond 

If you are in a hurry, there are ways to speed up the drying and curing time. 

Keep in mind that drying and curing are not the same. The drying happens quicker than the curing, but waiting until the curing time is up is important before moving your project.