The easiest and most efficient way to glue velvet to wood comes down to your type of glue.
To glue velvet to wood easily, quickly, and efficiently, we recommend one of the following types of glue:
- Mod Podge
- Hot hide glue
- Titebond
The method and steps described in detail in this guide work just as well, regardless of whether you want to touch up on a beautiful home decor item, furniture, or any other project involving velvet and wood.
Please keep reading to learn more about why the adhesives mentioned above are the best for gluing velvet to wood, how to prepare the velvet and wood for the best results and most durable bond, and how to glue them together correctly.
Which Glue Is Best For Gluing Velvet To Wood?
Let’s look at which type of glue is best to glue velvet to the wood, so you know which product will hold strong over time.
Water-Based Glue
Mod Podge and Titebond are water-based glue but aren’t the only ones. This type of glue is generally the best for gluing velvet to wood.
Water-based adhesives are generally non-toxic, easy to apply, and clean while providing a strong and durable bond.
Especially if you are doing this project for the first time, Mod Podge would be your best choice.
The next section of this guide will also show you the exact steps to prepare the surfaces and apply the glue to them.
Hot Glue
Hot glue can also be used to glue velvet to wood. It also provides a strong bond, but it may not be as easy to apply or clean up as it is with Mod Podge or another water-based glue.
Hot hide glue also offers a durable and strong bond between velvet and wood if you don’t mind that it can be a bit messy to get the job done.
Titebond’s premixed Genuine Hide Glue is easy to use. You don’t need to heat and mix the glue yourself.
It is also easy to remove without causing damage to the velvet or wood.
Epoxy, Polyurethane, PVA Glue
Epoxy, polyurethane, and PVA glue are great adhesives for gluing velvet to wood.
Besides being strong and versatile, they are also waterproof, making them ideal for indoor and outdoor projects.
These adhesives are also very durable. Plus, they won’t cause the fabric to wrinkle or shrink.
With PVA glue especially, keep in mind that the bond is permanent. So once you apply it and it dries, the bond becomes permanent.
How To Prepare The Velvet And Wood Before Gluing Them
If you want the results to be on point and for the glue bond to be durable and last, you need first to prepare both surfaces properly.
Dust, debris, old dried-up glue, grease, oil, or other stains will prevent the glue from forming a proper, deep, and strong bond.
So let’s tackle the proper steps for preparation first.
How to prepare velvet and wood surfaces for gluing:
- Clean the velvet in cool water – only use mild detergent
- When it is all cleaned, allow it to fully dry
- Clean the wood – remove dirt and dust with a clean cloth, and use acetone to remove oil stains or dried glue stains
- Use fine-grit sandpaper (180-220) for sanding the wood surface to remove any bumps and roughen up the surface to create better adhesion for the glue.
- Wipe down the sand dust
And now that both the velvet and wood have been properly cleaned and prepared, you can move on to the next step, which is to glue the velvet to the wood.
The Step-By-Steps On How To Glue Velvet To Wood With Different Types Of Glue
This may seem obvious or common sense, but before you glue one material to another, always check if the dimensions, shape, and size all fit together.
You don’t want to be halfway through with your gluing and only then realize that the two surfaces don’t fit together.
You are ready to begin gluing if the measurements and fit are the right ones.
Follow these steps to glue velvet to wood with a water-based glue (Mod Podge or Titebond):
- Apply the wood to the glue
- Use a soft-bristled or sponge brush to evenly spread the glue covering the entire surface that will be glued
- Align the velvet and press it into the glue – start at one end and work your way to the other hand, ensuring there are no bumps or wrinkles
- Use clamps, tape, rubber bands, or weights to keep continued pressure while the glue is drying and curing – this will help the glue to form a stronger and more durable bond
- Allow the wood to cure for a minimum of 24 hours.
Follow these steps to apply epoxy resin, polyurethane, or PVA glue.
Follow these steps to glue velvet to wood with hot hide glue:
- Apply a line of hot glue along the edges of the wood surface
- Align the velvet and press it into the glue – you need to move pretty quickly, so be careful to do it right
- Keep applying the pressure for a few minutes until the glue cools down and hardens
- Allow the glue to cure for a minimum of 24 hours fully.
If you have excess velvet that you need to trim or cut, wait for the glue to fully cure and do the trimming after.
Conclusion
Gluing velvet to wood is an easy process yielding beautiful, durable, and great results if you prepare both surfaces properly and know which type of glue to use.
After you apply the glue and attach the velvet to it, you can also use a brayer to help smooth the surface to ensure there won’t be any bubbles or wrinkles in the material.
