Krazy Glue is heat resistant. It contains higher viscosity levels, resulting in resistance from exothermic heat during its bonding and curing process.
Krazy Glue is a very strong and fast-curing adhesive.
You can achieve strong bonds with only a small amount of this adhesive.
The strength of Krazy Glue is quite impressive as it delivers 1000 pounds per square inch of bonding strength.
It was first introduced to the North American market in 1973.
If you want to learn more about how Krazy Glue works, what’s the best way to use it, and which applicators you should work with, keep reading.
Krazy Glue: What It Is And How It Works
Krazy Glue is an Ethyl Cyanoacrylate type of glue. It is:
- Fast-acting
- Super strong
- Non-toxic
- Colorless
The way Krazy Glue works is that it requires a catalyst for activation.
The catalyst this glue requires to be activated is water or water vapor, which is constantly in the air.
This is why, when it comes to storing Krazy Glue, you should always ensure the lid is sealed on tight and keep it in a cool, dry place.
If moisture or humidity sneaks inside the tube, it will cause the glue to activate, dry, and cure inside the tube.
So how does Krazy Glue work?
You only need a small amount of this adhesive to get a strong bond. It bonds instantly and dries within seconds.
You don’t need clamps, vices, or heat sources to help with drying.
Krazy Glue works best on small surfaces.
The Best Way To Use Krazy Glue
To get the best results with Krazy Glue, you must clean and dry the surfaces before using them on any surface.
If there is paint, old glue, stain, debris, or any other substance on the surface, remove it.
If you want to glue wood surfaces together, make sure they are flat, so they fit perfectly. If necessary, sand or plane the wood surface to make it flat.
Before applying Krazy Glue, clean them thoroughly with an acetone solvent for metal surfaces.
After your surfaces are cleaned well and are dry, follow these steps to glue them with Krazy Glue:
- Gently squeeze a small amount of Krazy Glue onto both surfaces that you want to bond together
- Align the surfaces
- Firmly press them together
- Keep applying pressure for about 1-2 minutes
- If you are bonding wood surfaces together with Krazy Glue Wood Glue, the time you need to press depends on the type of wood and also on how much humidity there is in the air
Here is what you need to know when it comes to the drying and curing process of Krazy Glue:
- It takes 2 to 6 minutes to begin to set
- After 6 minutes, it forms a bond on many wood types
- Allow it to set overnight or for 24 hours for maximum strength
If you use too much glue, two things may happen. Either the bond will take longer to form, or it won’t bond at all.
Pro Tip: you can create a better adhesion for the glue by roughening up the surface. For wood, you can use sandpaper; for metal or other surfaces, you can use a nail to scratch the surfaces in multiple directions.
How much Krazy Glue should I use?
Using the right amount of Krazy Glue matters.
You use too much or too little and will get a very weak or no bond.
Krazy Glue bonds on a molecular level.
If the surfaces you want to bond together have oil, grease, dirt, dust, or any other stain, the glue won’t access the surface you want to bond. This is why cleaning and drying the surfaces is key to achieving a great result.
Remember that 1 drop of Krazy Glue can hold more than one thousand lbs of steel.
Krazy Glue: Which Applicator Should You Use
If you have worked with Krazy Glue before, or if you even just looked into it for the first time, you most likely noticed that they come with different applicator types.
This is with good reason.
Each applicator serves a specific purpose and is designed for specific needs and situations.
Here is how you can know which applicator you should use for your project.
Brush-On Applicator
This applicator is for you if you need to cover full surfaces with glue.
Choose a brush-on applicator if you are gluing large surfaces and hard-to-reach areas.
Precision Tip
This applicator is a one-drop precision tip.
The Precision Tip applicator offers maximum control and ease of use. This is best for accurate fixes.
Fine Tip
The Fine Tip applicators are convenient and very easy to use.
They are designed for single use and are the go-to applicators for quick fixes.
Precision Control Pen
If you are working on more delicate projects and you need to apply Krazy Glue with the best accuracy possible, then the Precision Control Pen is your new best friend.
Precision Control Pen:
- Contains a formula and design that cancels any excess drips
- It has a glue indicator so you can see how much glue you still have in the tube
And it is very simple and easy to use.
Simply press the pressure grips to release a controlled amount of glue.
Extended Tip
This applicator has a longer tip, and it offers a no-clog feature.
The extended tip is best for:
- Corners
- Tight spaces
EZ Squeeze
EZ Squeeze also has a no-clog tip and a sure-grip panel on the container.
This is a larger-sized applicator.
How Do I Remove Krazy Glue From My Fingers?
If you accidentally got Krazy Glue on your fingers while working on your project, don’t worry; you can remove it quite easily.
For this, you will need acetone or acetone-based nail polish remover.
Follow these steps:
- Soak your finger in acetone if you can
- If not, soak a cotton ball in acetone, place it over the glue and let it soak through
- Soak the glue for 5-15 minutes with acetone or until the bond of the glue starts to break up
- Once the glue is breaking up, gently scrub it with a cotton swab or a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Once all glue residue has been removed, wash the area with soap and warm water and then rinse thoroughly
- Apply a moisturizing cream, as both glue and acetone can cause dehydration to the skin
Here is what NOT to do when you get Krazy Glue on your fingers or skin, and you try to remove it:
- Do not ever try to pull the glue off your fingers simply
Keep in mind that Krazy Glue creates a very strong bond. When it comes in contact with your skin, it will start forming the bond on a molecular level and not just on a superficial level.
How To Maximize The Shelf Life Of Krazy Glue
There are specific steps you can take to prolong or maximize the shelf life of Krazy Glue.
The bond of Krazy Glue is activated by water, water vapor, moisture, and humidity.
Air and almost all surfaces contain humidity and moisture at all times. If you leave the tube open for longer than necessary, the humidity in the air will activate the glue, causing it to dry and cure.
To maximize the shelf life of Krazy Glue, tightly secure the cap back as soon as you are done using the tube.
Even if you need to use the tube multiple times, add the lid back on between uses, sealed tightly.
Store Krazy Glue in a place that is dry and cool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Krazy Glue invented to seal wounds on the battlefield?
Military surgeons used cyanoacrylate adhesive during the Vietnam War to stop bleeding and close wounds.
Krazy Glue, today, should not be used for wound care. There are special formulas developed for medical use.
Do I need to hold my glued pieces in place with clamps?
You don’t, as Krazy Glue forms a bond within 10 to 60 seconds.
If you are working with wood surfaces, the bonding time may take 2 to 6 minutes, depending on the type of wood.
How do I remove Krazy Glue from my plastic glasses lens?
You can remove Krazy Glue from your lenses with acetone or nitromethane. Acetone is a very strong solvent that could potentially damage some plastic lenses.
How do I remove Krazy Glue from my countertops?
You can remove Krazy Glue with acetone. Apply the acetone to a cotton ball, place it over the glue and let it soak the adhesive until it softens. Then gently wipe it off.
Conclusion
Krazy Glue is heat resistant thanks to its higher viscose content.
Viscosity means that the molecules are much closer, leading to more friction between them. The more friction there is, the higher the heat resistance.
Krazy Glue doesn’t eliminate the exothermic heat, but because it bonds at a higher viscosity, it simply withstands the heat during the bonding process.
