Gorilla Glue vs Super Glue vs Krazy Glue: 2023 Comparison
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When you break out the extra-strong adhesive, you know you mean business. Whatever you’re gluing, you don’t want it to move. You shouldn’t trust this to just any adhesive; you need the absolute best, and that’s precisely what this article is here to help determine. Which super adhesive is best for making things stay put?
In this article, we’ll look at Gorilla Glue vs Super Glue vs Krazy Glue. We’ll dive deep into each product and let you know which performs best for most home DIY jobs and simple fixes.
Gorilla Glue
Gorilla Glue is made from polyurethane, which is a different polymer than most adhesives use. This polymer is used for everything from flexible plastics to chairs. Because of that, when in glue form, it is incredibly potent. It can stick to pretty much anything, which can’t be said for all polymers. Gorilla Glue uses this ingredient exclusively, even among the variants available. Many of its winning features are thanks to its use of this polymer.
Versatility
Gorilla Glue can stick to almost anything. It can bind to smooth surfaces well, which is not true for most other adhesives. It is a must-have if you’re repairing glass or anything of that sort.
Gorilla Glue also comes in a variety of types. Some are designed to stick better to certain materials, and others can dry faster than most strong adhesives. This variety allows you to choose the perfect glue for your home repair project. You may even want a few types on hand for fast-and-easy repairs. Out of all the glues we’re discussing in this article, Gorilla Glue likely is the most versatile. It can just stick to more surfaces than other adhesives.
Drying Speed
Gorilla Glue is a bit slower to dry than you might expect. Even if you purchase the fast-drying kind, it isn’t on par with other adhesives. With Gorilla Glue, plan on standing there for a few minutes and holding your workpiece in place until it dries. There aren’t any tips to make this adhesive dry faster, either. The only thing you can do is learn how to be patient.
Safety
All super adhesives can be dangerous when misused. They will glue your fingers together when given a chance. However, some are safer than others. Gorilla Glue seems a bit dangerous compared to other glue, as the fumes can cause lung damage. You need to use it in a well-ventilated location. Gorilla Glue may also be toxic to pets, but of course, that may be the case with all adhesives.
Staying Power
Gorilla Glue is very strong. It binds to practically any material and stays put. You don’t have to worry about it not working or wearing down over an extended time. If you need a permanent repair, Gorilla Glue is a great option.
Our Favorite Gorilla Glue
- GEL FORMULA: No run control gel formula that is great for use on vertical surfaces
- ANTI CLOG CAP: Helps keep the glue from drying out. It's Gorilla tough use after use.
- IMPACT TOUGH: Specially formulated for increased impact resistance and strength
- Bonds to practically everything
- Very strong
- Many variants available
- Doesn’t bond very fast
- Fumes are toxic
Super Glue
Super Glue is the traditional super adhesive. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the best. Super Glue is made with cyanoacrylate, which is a different polymer than Gorilla Glue is made out of. Super Glue is a well-known, fast-acting adhesive that is used in the industrial and medical fields. It is only mildly toxic, though you should still be careful when you’re using it.
Cyanoacrylate does have a “special bonding condition.” It doesn’t dry and bond unless moisture is present. This may sound like a problem, but it is rare to encounter an absolutely dry surface. When moisture is introduced to this material, it forms tight bonds instantly.
Versatility
Super Glue is slightly less versatile than Gorilla Glue. It can stick to a wide variety of surfaces, though it does have a hard time bonding to smooth surfaces. It needs some moisture to bond as well. In most cases, the natural moisture in the air will be more than enough. In some extreme situations, Super Glue may not work because of this necessary condition (for example, if you’re in the desert in the middle of summer).
While Super Glue is a little less versatile than other options, it should still work in most situations. For standard household options, Super Glue usually works just fine.
Drying Speed
Super Glue dries very fast. Most other glues dry and bond when the base liquid evaporates, and you have to wait for the evaporation to occur before the glue sticks. Depending on the environmental conditions at the time, that can take a while.
On the other hand, Super Glue dries instantly as soon as it touches moisture. Usually, the moisture in the air and naturally found on the objects you’re gluing is enough. You do not need to add water to Super Glue for it to work. Super Glue is one of the fastest drying options available, which means mistakes are quite a bit more permanent. You can’t unstick something once it has bonded with Super Glue.
Safety
Super Glue is very safe if you don’t eat it, get it in your eyes, or use it in an unventilated area. The fumes given off by Super Glue do not seem to be particularly dangerous, but you still don’t want to inhale them if you can help it.
Staying Power
Super Glue can usually hold most things together well, but it depends on the material. It is not very good with plastic, for example. We recommend using Gorilla glue for plastic if that’s what you’re repairing. However, for most household repairs, Super Glue has plenty of staying power.
Our Favorite Super Glue
- Original Super forms the strongest bonds on clean breaks of non-porous materials
- Super Glue for wood, ceramic, fingernails, metal, pottery, plastic, china, jewellery, and more
- Fast-drying formula bonds instantly and sets in 10-30 seconds; paintable and sand able
- Dries instantly
- Safe to use (just don’t touch it!)
- Relatively strong
- Strength can depend on the material
- Can melt plastic
Krazy Glue
Krazy Glue comes with an applicator that is designed for precision work. It is made with the average homeowner in mind, who may need to glue a vase back together. It is not a glue designed for construction, however, which Gorilla Glue is sometimes used for.
Krazy Glue is also made out of cyanoacrylate. This is the same ingredient that Super Glue is made of, and the products are very similar. In fact, you won’t notice much of a difference between the two.
Versatility
Krazy Glue works for most simple repairs. It doesn’t do well on smooth surfaces, like glass. Besides that, you will have no problem gluing most materials together. While it requires a bit of moisture to activate and bind, the moisture found naturally on the item you’re gluing is enough in almost every case. Unless you’re trying to glue sand in the middle of the Mojave desert, you’ll be fine.
Drying Speed
So, how long does Krazy glue take to dry? Krazy Glue dries almost instantly. The chemical reaction begins as soon as it touches moisture. Unlike most glue, you don’t have to sit around and wait for the base liquid to evaporate. Krazy Glue dries faster than Gorilla Glue but at about the same speed as Super Glue.
Safety
Once something is glued together with Krazy Glue, it isn’t coming undone. Although its bonding properties are impressive, it can be very bad if you accidentally glue your fingers together. Furthermore, the glue is slightly toxic, and you should keep it away from children and pets. However, it isn’t any more dangerous than Gorilla Glue or Super Glue. It can melt materials like plastic and Styrofoam, so keep that in mind.
Staying Power
Krazy Glue is pretty good at holding things together—a little too good sometimes, perhaps. It doesn’t work well with plastic or wood, but it can handle almost everything else. Furthermore, it can be used to hold plastic and wood in a pinch, but there are specialty glues that are better for these purposes (again, we recommend Gorilla Glue for plastic).
Our Favorite Krazy Glue in 2022
- Xoffice supplies
- School and art supplies
- Elmer's works great on wood, rubber, glass, ceramic, and plastic
- Cheap
- Dries instantly
- Nice applicators
- Can melt plastics
- Doesn’t stick to smooth surfaces well
Gorilla Glue vs Super Glue vs Krazy Glue – Which to Choose?
All of these glues are slightly different. Sometimes, they’re different in minor ways you probably won’t notice. Other times, their differences can make a massive difference in the outcome of your project. Remember, use Gorilla Glue for plastic. Both Krazy Glue and Super Glue will melt the plastic in some situations. Gorilla Glue is also preferable if you are somewhere without natural moisture, like outer space. (Astronauts: choose Gorilla Glue.)
All these glues are about equally as safe. Gorilla Glue may give off more toxic fumes, but it likely won’t be significantly different unless you use it all day. Krazy Glue is usually the cheaper option, though it depends on the size and particular type. In many cases, you can purchase the most affordable product since there isn’t a significant difference between the three brands.
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