Gorilla Glue is famous for its adhesive glues that boast about how strong it is. Most households even go as far as calling a normal superglue Gorilla Glue, and it is with good reasons they do so. The reason that most houses have Gorilla Glue is that they are so versatile. From wooden objects to metal, they are really good for any repairs due to how strong the adhesive is. It is so strong that your broken objects will be as good as new and the broken bits will probably remain permanently stuck too (unless you break them that is)!
But can you use Gorilla Glue on fabrics? I have mentioned how they are good for a lot of different materials, but when it comes to more delicate materials you might think that Gorilla Glue is too strong for it. To know more about Gorilla Glue and its use on fabric, read on to find out all the tips about it because they will come in handy!
Key Takeaways
- Gorilla Glue is an adhesive that is much different from regular superglue, as it is stronger and more durable.
- Gorilla Glue on fabric is good because it is strong, doesn’t tear easily, and can withstand machine washing and drying.
- While it may be good, regular Gorilla Glue does have some problems with the fabric which might damage it.
- To combat the issue with fabric, Gorilla Glue has created an adhesive specifically for fabrics.
- Before applying Gorilla Glue, learn some tips about it so you can use it more effectively!
What is Gorilla Glue?
Gorilla Glue is a company that creates all sorts of adhesives on the market from glues to tape. The reason that they are so strong is because Gorilla Glue uses polyurethane as its adhesive base. In comparison, most superglues on the market use cyanoacrylate as their adhesive base. While cyanoacrylate is fast-acting, polyurethane creates much stronger bonds that give Gorilla Glue its edge.
How Does Gorilla Glue Work on Fabric?
Where cyanoacrylate uses moisture on the surface, polyurethane adhesive in Gorilla Glue needs water to activate. The polyurethane reacts with the water on the surface where you are applying and then it releases carbon dioxide as a result. This causes the glue to foam and expand a bit to stick the two surfaces together. This bond is very strong but it takes about 24 hours to set. But after that, you should have no worries about the bond breaking, which is exactly why Gorilla Glue is recommended for fabrics!
Why is Gorilla Glue Good on Fabric?
Now that you understand a bit about how Gorilla Glue works, I shall now talk about why Gorilla Glue is good to use on fabric.
Waterproof
The bond that forms with Gorilla Glue is waterproof, which is why it can be used on fabric. With normal superglue, regular washing would make the adhesive weaker and cause breakage, which is why Gorilla Glue is better than superglue on fabrics!
Tear Resistant
And not just waterproof, but the strong adhesive makes sure that the fabric or beads stuck on your clothes will not tear under normal circumstances! This can give you the peace of mind of not worrying about anything coming off if you use Gorilla Glue. So far, I have had no rhinestones and beads ever come off from my clothes after using Gorilla Glue to stick them.
Heat-Resistant
If you use your dryers often then you might be thinking if your Gorilla Glue can handle it or not. Good thing that Gorilla Glue is able to withstand up to 220 °F (about 100 °C) while a dryer only gets up to 135 °F at most. Therefore, if you use Gorilla Glue you are very safe using dryers for your clothes. The fabric will also be safe when being ironed. Just make sure that the iron is not too hot that it would burn the fabric and the glue that holds it.
Versatile
From placing decorations on fabric to mending cuts, Gorilla Glue is very versatile. With just one product you could solve most of your headaches for your fabrics!
Why Regular Gorilla Glue is Not Good on Fabric?
With anything good, it can also be too good to be true. And Gorilla Glue on fabric is no exception. I can speak from personal experience that regular Gorilla Glue takes a bit to get used to before you start using it on fabrics. So let me highlight some of the not-so-good features of most of the Gorilla Glues on the market.
Expanding as it Set
When Gorilla Glue reacts with water on your fabric, it will foam up and expand. Maybe it looks good when you apply but it still needs 24 hours to be completely set. After that, the seam or the gem might not look anymore because the Gorilla Glue has expanded much more than you would have liked. So you would have to be careful about it expanding when using regular Gorilla Glue.
Makes the Fabric Stiff
Gorilla Glue is strong, maybe too strong for certain fabrics. Because it was designed to fix stronger materials like wood and metal, Gorilla Glue has to be stuck very securely. This is good to fix furniture but for clothes that need people to move around in? Probably not a good idea to use too much Gorilla Glue.
Little Room for Error
If you have used Gorilla Glue before, you know that the reaction it has with water is almost immediate. This could be a problem for fabric because once you apply the Gorilla Glue on your wet fabric, you have to be committed. If you don’t like the placement of the glue, then you end up risking the fabric itself!
Reaction with Fabric
With little room for error comes how the Gorilla Glue will react with the fabric. Because it is made from polyurethane and bonds with water, it produces heat during the reaction. This heat could end up ruining natural delicate fabrics such as silk and cotton. I once ended up with a hole in one of my cotton T-shirts because I used too much Gorilla Glue to fix a cut.
Takes a Long Time to Set
If you are looking for a fast-setting glue, Gorilla Glue is not it. The polyurethane needs 24 hours to set properly. This will be a problem if you need to fix something as quickly as possible like a cut. You can’t move the fabric around while the glue sets either. Otherwise, you risk messing up your clothes and the glue as well!
So maybe Gorilla Glue is not all that good for fabrics, especially those thinner fabrics. But these problems I mentioned are for the most common Gorilla Glues (for example Clear Gorilla Glue, Gorilla Super Glue, Original Gorilla Glue, etc) on the market. What if I were to tell you that Gorilla Glue has already thought of a solution to your fabric glue problem?
See Also: Can You Put Linen In The Dryer?
Which Gorilla Glue is Best for Fabric?
Presenting you with the best Gorilla Glue for fabric: Gorilla Fabric Glue. It forms a clear setting so you don’t have to worry about your clothes changing color. It is washer and dryer safe so you wouldn’t have to worry about that. Unlike regular Gorilla Glue, it holds in seconds, does not foam up, and is flexible both before and after curing. It forms a permanent bond and works well with most fabrics, felt, beads, canvas, ribbon, sequins, and more!
So any problems you had with regular Gorilla Glues are solved if you use Gorilla Fabric Glue. Think of it as taking all the best things about Gorilla Glue use on fabrics without much of the consequences. While I don’t consider it the best fabric glue, it is the most versatile fabric glue I have used. From cuts, used as a no-sewing alternative, and setting with other fabrics and decorations, I recommend Gorilla Fabric Glue to everyone.
Tips on Using Gorilla Glue on Fabric
Regular Gorilla Glue might have problems with fabric but it still can be used. Just make sure you use as little as possible to protect your fabrics. While I’m at it, let me give you some tips on how to use Gorilla Glue on fabric and clothes.
- Before applying Gorilla Glue, wash and dry the fabric. That way, the moisture left in your clothes will be enough to react with Gorilla Glue.
- If you are sticking two fabrics together, then make sure both fabrics are washed and dry.
- Lay out your fabric or clothes on a flat surface after using Gorilla Glue. Leave it for 24 hours to completely cure the adhesive.
- Use acetone to help thin any excess Gorilla Glue. It is safe for clothes and helps lessen the expansion of the glue.
- Plan out your embellishments before you use Gorilla Glue. That way you won’t have to second guess your placements.
- If you want to remove Gorilla Glue, then use acetone or butanone to remove it.
FAQs
Which fabric is Gorilla Glue good for
Is Gorilla Glue dangerous?
How long does Gorilla Fabric Glue last on fabric?
Final Thoughts
There you have it! You can indeed use Gorilla Glue on your fabrics. Gorilla Glue is waterproof, tear-resistant, and heat-resistant so it is washer and dryer safe. While it has its problems with fabrics, especially natural fabrics like cotton and silk, Gorilla Fabric Glue more than makes up for it! On a personal recommendation, Gorilla Fabric Glue is one of the best and most versatile fabric glue out there in the market.