Liquid nails - instructions, properties and choice of composition

What are liquid nails? What can you glue with them? Are these mixtures really capable of replacing conventional metal fasteners - “nails” and how to use them correctly? In this article you can find out the manufacturers' recommendations and other facts about this product, which is produced in a special package - a tube.

In 1968 American has released a new unique product - a universal construction adhesive mixture “Liquid Nails” (translated as “liquid nails”). For over 50 years, this building mixture has been in high demand in all countries of the world, fully justifying its name. Its practical application has confirmed the possibility of providing a high-quality connection of various materials, comparable in strength to mechanical strength.

ON A NOTE! At the moment, numerous modifications of this product are being produced, represented by other brands. Each of them has its own individual characteristics, which are important to consider when using. A detailed study of the instructions will help you understand all the nuances of how to use liquid nails.

Types of assembly adhesive

Before using the viscous mass, it must be said that today there are two main types produced: water-based and organic solvent. Its fixing properties, strength index and resistance to external factors depend on the chemical components.

With organic solvent

The main active component of the adhesive with an organic solvent was neoprene - chloroprene rubber. A mixture of this composition is excellent for joining glass and ceramic surfaces, as well as plastic.

Advantages:

1. Ensuring increased strength of connections.
2. Quick fixation.
3. Preservation of properties under conditions of temperature changes down to -40 °C.

Flaws:

1. Strong specific smell.
2. Flammability in the liquid state does not allow the mixture to be used near fire sources.
3. The toxicity of the components requires the use of the product in well-ventilated areas using gloves, respirators and other personal protective equipment.

With aqueous solvent

The main active components of water-based adhesives are acrylic paints, polyurethane and PVC.

What is it used for?

Recommended uses include a variety of products including wood, silicate glass, ceramics, organic glass, aluminum alloys, natural cork, plasterboard, foam polymers, siding, wood fiber boards or shavings.

High-strength adhesives can be used to secure sinks and other plumbing fixtures, window and door frames, baseboards, countertops and mirrors. Sometimes craftsmen use liquid nails instead of sealants; they are used to insulate seams, fill microcavities, cracks in walls, ventilation ducts, and corner joints of design structures.

Note! Despite their versatility, it is not recommended to use high-strength composites in the manufacture and repair of aquariums and wood products with high humidity.

Pros and cons of the substance

Compared with other adhesive compositions widely used in installation, repair and various construction works, the substance is characterized by a number of advantages.

These include:

• increased degree of adhesion – several tens of times more reliable than analogues;
• versatility – can be used with almost all building materials;
• the ability to reliably connect surfaces of various structures: rough, glossy, etc.;
• quick clutch;
• sharing the substance with metal hardware;
• maintaining increased elasticity after drying;
• heat resistance (for organic-based glue);
• health safety (for water-based adhesive mixtures).

Main disadvantages:

• temperature barrier 0 °C (for water-based adhesive mixtures);
• toxicity, sharp specific odor (for organic-based adhesives).

HELPFUL ADVICE! To avoid problems during repair work, it is necessary to carefully familiarize yourself with the recommendations for the use of a specific type of solution, storage and application conditions. It is not recommended to store the cylinder in direct sunlight or in the cold. Storing the tube in a humid environment may cause the mixture to separate. The term of use is 1 year.

The best brands

Before purchasing, you need to study the brands of liquid nails that are more popular because of their quality and positive reviews:

• Moment Installation Extra-strong MP-55 – solvent-based adhesive, artificial resins. It has increased seam strength, is suitable for gluing heavy surfaces, is moisture-resistant, heat-resistant, and can be used in construction work. Not suitable for gluing Teflon and polypropylene. Shelf life: 2 years.
• Macco LN-601 – universal used for exterior and interior construction work. The seam remains flexible. The seam thickness used is up to 9.5 mm. Ensures connection strength. One package is enough for 10 linear meters, if a seam thickness of 6.5 mm is taken into account.
• Multi-Purpose Titebond universal construction adhesive contains synthetic rubber. Used for gluing many materials. It has medium viscosity and a light beige color. Heat resistant. The mixture is not applied over wallpaper and is not used for products that are constantly under water.
• Macroflex MF901 – universal liquid nails. Moisture-resistant, vibration-resistant, frost-resistant, provides a flexible seam, quick adhesion, non-flammable. Based on synthetic rubber. Viscous consistency.

How to use liquid nails?

Application requires compliance with several important conditions. So, it is important to consider that water-based products are used at temperatures above 5 °C. When working with neoprene adhesives, it is necessary to ensure good ventilation of the room, use a mask and thick rubber gloves.

The surfaces to be bonded must be as dry and clean as possible. Glossy surfaces require preliminary degreasing, and porous surfaces need to be stripped of previous coatings (remnants of wallpaper, paint and primer). We recommend that you read the reviews: is it possible to degrease with white spirit and how long does it take for the primer to dry? Before using a fresh concrete surface as a base for gluing, you need to wait until it shrinks and dries.

Instructions for use

The main stages of fixing materials of various structures:

1. Depressurize the tube - pierce it with a sharp metal object or make an incision on the plastic protrusion. Fix the plastic nozzle, cut off its end and seal with a cap until immediate use.
2. When working, remove the cap and apply glue evenly to the back side of the part. To fix light elements, it is enough to put separate points; for long objects, a strip is applied, and for heavy ones, you will have to apply a mesh or snake.
3. Press the part firmly onto the surface, locking it in the correct position. Hold with your hands for several minutes, applying slight pressure.
4. Do not touch the surface until the glue has set. Primary adhesion takes up to 3 days, and complete polymerization occurs after a week. The speed of fixing parts depends on the temperature and humidity of the environment, as well as on the thickness of the layer. High humidity and low temperatures inhibit the hardening of the glue.

A different approach is used for gluing heavy materials (stone, bamboo wallpaper).

Instructions for use

Before applying the described composition, you must make sure that the surface is clean, smooth and dry. The purchased cartridge must be installed in the sealant gun, only after cutting off the tip at an angle of 45 degrees. This must be done in accordance with the desired thickness of the adhesive layer being formed. The marking will help with this; it is contained on the tip. Before use, pierce the protective membrane of the cartridge. And then the composition can be applied, this must be done in a zigzag manner, so that a layer thickness of 6.5 millimeters is formed. Application should be carried out on both surfaces, which are then pressed against each other for several seconds; they must be kept in this state for some time. Only if the parts are severely deformed may additional fixation be required.

Liquid nails, the technical characteristics of which allow for sufficiently tight gluing, should be used taking into account the application of glue with an interval between zigzags of 30 cm. A distance of 3.5 cm must be taken from the edge. In order to achieve quick gluing, it is necessary to first firmly press the surfaces together, then separate them for 5 minutes and then press them again.

How to wipe off liquid nails?

Depending on how long ago it was applied and the type of surface, excess glue is removed in various ways.

How to remove the substance:

• uncured excess can be removed with a dry rag or knife;
• excess recently used glue is wiped off with a damp sponge.

It is much more difficult to get rid of frozen excess using:

• special cleaner;
• blade, scraper (on durable surfaces);
• by temperature influence, heating the adhesive residues to 70 °C with a hairdryer and cleaning them off with a scraper;
• on street structures, excess can be softened by sunlight and washed off with water;
• small fragments can be cleaned of excess by placing them in the freezer; the cracked product can be easily scraped off.

The substance is a universal construction adhesive for reliable fixation of surfaces made of various materials. Simplicity and efficiency of use makes it an indispensable tool for the home craftsman.

What else does a master need to know?

Before you start gluing, you should know how to use liquid nails. Application temperature varies from -7 to +30 degrees. The operating temperature is in a fairly wide range and varies from -30 to +90 degrees. After 24 hours, flexural strength of 250 psi is observed. After 48 hours, this figure already becomes equal to 350 psi, while after 7 days the figure reaches the limit - 400 psi. The manufacturer guarantees excellent strength, so the adhesive composition will retain its quality characteristics for 20 years.

Which composition is better to choose?

When choosing the optimal option, it is necessary, first of all, to take into account the purpose of application. In particular, Henkel “Moment Installation” products have several varieties used for different types of work.

Basic recommendations when choosing:

• For facing work that involves fixing heavy materials (stone, siding, wooden panels, etc.), it is recommended to use high-strength “Heavy Duty”, “Especially strong installation moment”, “LN 901”, “Max Tack Sika”, “Zigger 99” and etc.
• Water-based solutions, for example, “Moment Installation Super-Strong”, are optimal for working with foamed materials (for example, polystyrene foam).

Additional features

Liquid nails, reviews of which are often only positive, have a viscosity of up to 30,000 °C PS. They have excellent water resistance and do not freeze when exposed to low temperatures. There is no sweating either. When applied, a slight odor of the solvent will be released. Afterwards the adhesive composition can be painted.

Quite often, craftsmen and professional builders are interested in the possibility of stains forming on the surface. What probability exists only in the case of marble. Complete drying of the composition occurs in 2 weeks. It must be remembered that the mixture is flammable and may ignite when exposed to high temperatures. During the drying stage, the composition does not ignite.