A complete guide to spray glue – what is it and when to use it

04 Dec.,2023

 

When it comes to sticking things down, there are so many options out there. Adhesives come in many different varieties – from consumer adhesives to trade adhesives to water-based adhesive products – picking the right type of adhesive is sometimes tricky.

In this post, we are going to be talking specifically about spray glue or spray adhesive. Spray adhesives are a great option when you are looking to make a quick repair. They can be used on a wide range of materials including metal, plastic, fabric, wood and more, making them a very versatile product and a great item to have in your shed or garage.

Spray glues can be used for a variety of tasks and it’s important to choose the best spray glue for the job you are looking to carry out to ensure the repair is one that lasts and not just a quick fix that will need further work later on.

At CRC, we have a wide range of spray adhesives, and you can read about each of those products below, but first, let’s talk about some general uses of spray glue.

What is spray glue?

As you name suggests, spray glue is an adhesive that can be applied to a variety of surfaces using a pressurised can. The glue is applied as a light mist which helps to create a consistent coat on the surface it is being applied to.

Spray glues are typically very easy to work with. Once applied to a surface, you can typically reposition the materials you are gluing together for a couple of minutes before the glue starts to set, helping to eliminate costly errors with expensive materials.

What is spray glue used for?

As we have already touched on, spray glues can be used for a wide range of applications and whilst they are commonly used around the house for craft projects, repairing furniture and other DIY jobs, however, there are some outstanding spray adhesives that are great for trade repairs including ADOS UHS Ultra High Strength Aerosol Adhesive.

One of the main benefits of spray glues is the ability to reposition the materials once the glue has been applied. This makes repair work much easier, with less precision needed when applying, giving you the opportunity to reposition your items for a couple of minutes before the glue will start to bond.

Spray glue also typically dries clear and doesn’t cause wrinkling as it is applied as a thin mist, making it ideal when you want to create an invisible bond. Spray glues can also be applied in multiple coats, helping to create a strong bond whilst still allowing for fast drying times.

Can you get glue in a spray can?

One of the most common questions we get asked is “can you get glue in a spray can?” and as you will have already guessed, the answer is very much yes! At CRC, we have a wide range of spray glues that all come in a can, and you can learn more about each of them below.

What is a good adhesive spray?

A good adhesive spray will depend on what you need to use it for. Spray glues come in a range of strengths and adhesion levels, and this will usually determine how good your adhesive spray is.

At CRC, we have four main types of spray adhesive and each one has its benefits depending on the application it is required for. ADOS On & Off is our lightest spray adhesive and is used to stick a range of lightweight items that can then be easily removed. This essentially allows you to turn any bit of paper into a sticky note like a post it note and is great for use around the home or office.

Our strongest spray adhesive is ADOS UHS Ultra Strength, and this can be used on a wide range of materials including wood, metal, concrete, flooring, plastics, particle board and foam.

How to apply spray glue

Whilst we have a range of spray glues, the application process for each is very similar.

Prepare – make sure you are using your spray glue in a well ventilated area and protect the area with protective covers as spray glue can leave a sticky residue.

Shake well – make sure you shake the can well before use.

Apply – hold the can in an upright position and spray the glue on the desired surface(s) from around 8-10 inches.

Reposition – reposition the materials you are gluing together and make sure you are happy with the final position.

Allow to bond – depending on the spray glue you use, they typically bond very quickly and you will find the materials are bonded in around 20 minutes. It is usually best to leave overnight to achieve a full cure.

Clean up – clean up is relatively simple and should be done straightaway. Make sure you clean the nozzle of the can to avoid any build up.

CRC Spray Adhesives

We have a wide range of spray adhesives at CRC and these include:

ADOS Multi-Purpose Spray Adhesive
ADOS Multi-Purpose Spray Adhesive is a spray glue that bonds most materials quickly and easily, giving a long-lasting bond. It is formulated to give a fast tack-off, low-soak spray and dries clear.

It is a pressure-sensitive one-way adhesive that remains repositionable for 1-2 minutes eliminating costly errors with expensive materials. Once positioned, the adhesive will bond within 10-20 minutes. Full cure will take 24 hours.

Features & Benefits
Reliable – High strength

Convenient – Rapid cure, fast tack

User friendly – Non staining/low mist

Aerosol - No clean-up

Easy to Use – Repositionable, clear drying

Cost-effective – Low soak

Low odour - Safe for indoor use

Uses
Bonding wood, paper, metal, most plastics, fibreglass, leather, carpet, PVC foam, cardboard, cloth, fabrics, foils, cork, some rubbers, felt, labelling, sail cloths, photographs.

ADOS On & Off
ADOS On & Off is a smart restickable high-tack adhesive designed for a number of applications around the home and workplace. It allows users to stick lightweight objects like paper, cardboard or fabric to smooth, dry surfaces and to remove and re-stick without any damage. Unlike conventional sticky putty, ADOS On & Off allows for flat application and a large glued surface instead of a number of “bulky dots”. It will not bleed through, wrinkle materials or leave marks or residue on the untreated surface. It is strong yet repositionable and will not loose tack over time.

ADOS On & Off is formulated for use on a wide range of lightweight materials and is suitable even for delicate materials like rice paper, tissues and newspaper. Designed for everyday use around the home and for professional applications alike, it is the perfect product for creating removable wall stickers and decals and assists designers, architects and craft people in designing layouts, models and mock-ups.

Features & Benefits
Restickable spray adhesive – Remove and restick lightweight objects to smooth, dry surfaces

Create removable wall stickers and decals – For easy decorating and redecorating

Non-staining, leaves no marks or residue – Surfaces stay clean and undamaged

Replaces magnets & tacks – Convenient and safe, flat not bulky

Covers the whole object surface – Not only a few spots

Dries clear – For a clean look even on windows

Non-toxic – Safe for the whole family once dried

Uses
For use on a wide variety of lightweight objects and smooth surfaces – Paper, cardboard, fabrics, foams, plastics, wood, vinyl, aluminium, photos, walls, ceilings, windows, doors, wallpaper, painted surfaces, cabinets, furniture, white boards, metals, plastics, tiles, glass.

Decorate and re-decorate – Apply restickable wall stickers and decals without damaging walls and furniture. Hang up wall calendars, posters, photographs, party decorations, notes. Personalise the look of rental properties without leaving marks. Keep photos and paintings square in their frames. Display your kids’ drawings, paintings and latest achievements on your walls at home, your fridge can only hold that much!

Schools, offices, training courses – Temporarily put up charts, maps, graphs and timetables on white boards, classroom walls and windows. For easy & productive interacting with a group, put up ideas, add new input, change things around.

Business & retail – Shop window designs. Trade show displays. Business signage.

Designers, architects, artists, craft people – Mock-up designs and models, temporarily put labels on cans, bottles or other containers. Put fabrics into place (quilts, dresses, fashion design etc.) before sewing.

Screen printing, embroidery, and production line work where parts are held in place temporarily prior to final assembly – Holds garment on patterns, adhesive will not transfer to garment. Keeps backer in place while stitching.

Laptop & smartphone skins.

ADOS UHS Ultra High Strength Aerosol Adhesive
ADOS UHS is an ultra high strength contact adhesive which gives an immediate and permanent bond on a wide variety of surfaces. It is formulated to give low soak, cure fast, dry clear and be non-staining.

It has high heat resistance and is suitable on porous and non-porous surfaces making it ideal for a wide variety of applications, where permanent, high strength bonds are essential. ADOS UHS uses a unique resin system making it resistant to breakdown from plasticiser migration.

ADOS UHS aerosol is fitted with a variable nozzle, which allows controlled, accurate spraying, reducing product wastage and limiting over-spray.

Features & Benefits
Ultra High Strength – Instant Permanent Contact Bond

High Heat Resistance – Up to 75°C

Plasticiser Safe – Resistant to breakdown from plasticiser migration

Easy to Use – No clamping required

Variable Nozzle – Allows controlled, accurate spraying and a variable spray width

Uses
Bonding porous & non-porous surfaces

Wood, metal, concrete, flooring (cork tiles, carpet, linoleum, hardwood, laminate),

some plastics, particle board, foam

It is not suitable for use on polystyrene

ADOS Water Based Spray Adhesive
ADOS Water Based Spray Adhesive is a general-purpose low-odour adhesive formulated for bonding a wide variety of light-weight materials. Particularly suited for convenient use in confined spaces, it has many applications in professional arts, stage and set building, general labelling and around the house.

ADOS Water Based Spray Adhesive is applied with a controlled spray pattern to minimise overspray, any excess can easily be cleaned up with water. It dries to a clear flexible film that will not yellow when exposed to UV radiation. Suitable for bonding porous and non-porous surfaces, polystyrene, foams, plastics and other sensitive materials likely to be damaged by solvent based products.

Features & Benefits
Low odour, exceptionally low VOC – Suitable for use in confined spaces and areas without ventilation

Non-toxic, solvent-free – For increased user safety

Easy clean-up with water – Easy and convenient

Dries clear – For seamless repairs and non-visible glue lines

Suitable for sensitive surfaces – Polystyrene, foams, plastics, and other materials likely to be damaged by solvent-based products

Convenient aerosol application

Fast set-up

Uses
Bonds most light-weight substrates – Paper, cardboard, fabrics, polystyrene, foams, plastics, wood, vinyl, aluminium, etc.

Professional crafts and trades – Stage and set building, prop making, trade show booths and displays

Around the house – Bonding and repair of fabrics, vinyl and wall coverings, attaching draw liners, wall paper

Boats, camper vans and other confined spaces – Attaching and repair of vinyl and other wall coverings, automotive interior trim assembly

Labelling and packing – Adheres labels and barcodes to nearly any surface, assembly of cardboard boxes, filling and sealing cardboard boxes by hand, opening and re-closing boxes for inspection and quality control, re-using cardboard boxes

Sensitive materials – Suitable for use on polystyrene, foams, plastics, insulation material and other material likely to be damaged by solvent based products

With high quality products and considerate service, we will work together with you to enhance your business and improve the efficiency. Please don't hesitate to contact us to get more details of Stencil Spray Adhesive, Vinyl Spray Adhesive.