To glue sand to the wood, you need to prepare the wood surface, apply the glue to the wood, and generously sprinkle it with sand.
If you want a thicker or deeper layer of sand on your wood, after the first application dries, remove the excess sand that didn’t glue to the adhesive, add one more layer of adhesive, and cover it with sand.
This guide will show you how to properly prepare your wood surface for this project, which is the best type of glue for a durable bond, and how to bring it all together.
So keep on reading.
Which Glue Is Best To Glue Sand To Wood
Generally, three types of glue are commonly used and best suited for this project.
These are the following:
- PVA
- Spray adhesive
- Varnish
Let’s look at these adhesives more closely one by one.
1. PVA Glue
PVA glue is the go-to adhesive for this project.
What is PVA glue?
PVA glue is a water-based glue that is very easy to apply, easy to clean, and provides a durable bond.
Here are some examples of PVA glue that would be a great choice to glue sand to wood.
Mont Marte PVA Craft Glue
This PVA craft glue is compatible with wood. It comes with a tip for an easy, precise, and mess-free application.
Some of its other features include:
- Dries quickly
- Dries clear
- Foam-sealed bottleneck to prevent spilling out
Titebond Quick and Thick Multi-Surface PVA Glue
This professional-strength PVA glue is 3 times thicker than other PVA glues. It can be easily applied even in corners.
Other good-to-know features of this glue:
- It dries clear
- Sets quickly
- No-run formula
- Can be easily applied vertically
- Gap filling
- Unaffected by finishes
2. Spray Adhesive
If you are working on a large project with a lot of wood surfaces you need to apply glue to, using a spray adhesive is the easiest and fastest way to get this done.
Again, choose one that dries clear.
Let’s quickly look at a great spray adhesive for gluing sand to wood.
3M Hi-Strength 90 Spray Adhesive
This heavy-duty spray adhesive provides high strength and a fast drying time.
It is also resistant to heat and moisture.
The adjustable nozzle allows you to choose the width of lace-patterned spray.
Here is what else you should know about 3M Hi-Strength 90 spray adhesive:
- It is fast tacking
- Provides a permanent bond
- Versatile
- Contact-type spray glue
- Easy to dispense
3. Varnish
Varnish glue isn’t commonly used to glue sand to wood, but it has some great advantages worth anyone’s consideration.
You don’t have to stick to a clear drying option. If you want to play around with the overall look of the sand, influencing its color, you can apply a colored varnish glue.
The texture of this type of glue is satin-like that dries somewhat gloss.
You can try it both ways:
- Apply the varnish glue to the wood and generously sprinkle it with sand
- Add varnish glue into a disposable cup or container, add the sand into it, mix it well, and apply this sand and glue mixture to the wood
Here is an example of a good varnish.
Minwax Polycrylic Clear Glue
This premium water-based glue provides a lasting finish.
This glue:
- Dries very fast
- Can be easily cleaned with water
- Offers various finishes – semi-gloss, satin, matte, ultra flat, gloss
How To Glue Sand To Wood: The Exact Steps For Best Results
Before you can glue the sand to the wood, you need to clean and prepare the wood for this project.
If the wood has any stains (glue, grease, oil), debris, or dirt on it, clean these off first. Then, sand the surface to create an even and smooth finish.
When you are done sanding the wood, wipe it clean.
If you use wet cloths, wait for the wood to dry before applying glue.
Follow these steps to glue sand to wood:
- Apply your chosen type of glue to the wood – use a soft-bristled brush or a sponge brush to spread it evenly if you are not using a spray adhesive
- Let the glue become slightly tacky (not dry)
- Sprinkle a layer of sand on top of it, covering the glued surface entirely
- Wait for the glue to fully dry
- Remove any excess sand – do not wipe it down; simply tilt the wood surface to allow any unglued sand to slide off
- Apply another layer of adhesive, let it get tacky, and add a layer of sand on top of it
- Repeat these steps until your project has the depth or thickness it needs
In between layers, make sure you wait to apply the next layer of glue until the precious one has completely dried.
Pro Tip: If you are taking your project to the next level, apply colored sand on different wood parts, and work section by section. Finish working in one section with one colored sand and when this has fully cured, move on to the next section with a different colored sand.
Conclusion
Generally, PVA is the type of glue most commonly used for gluing sand to wood. But it doesn’t need to be the only one.
PVA is easy to apply, offers a good bond, and is easy to clean. But you can also get great results with a spray adhesive or a varnish.
Prepare the wood properly.
If you want to add multiple layers of sand, you can just wait for each layer to dry completely before applying the next layer of glue.
