Gorilla glue question.

CT · 28th August 2006, 04:39 AM

I used some Gorilla glue on some test pieces of MDF. It sticks like the proverbial ####e to a baby's blanket but I noticed (as I was warned) that a thin layer (dark brown when first applied) expands as it goes off and it left quite a solid dirty white residue around the joint as it cured.

I only noticed the expansion of the glue after it had cured and by that time it was too late to remove it and darn near impossible to cut off the excess without damaging the MDF. Some questions:

1. Do you need to apply to both surfaces or will one surface alone suffice? I figure if there is less glue at the joint there will be less excess to have to remove later.

2. Then again, I want the strongest joint possible so that really means applying it all over the joint? I thought maybe of applying just enough around the joint without actually touching the edge. That way, it may have room to expand without overflowing the joint as it expands. What do you think?

3. If I have no choice but to clean the joint afterwards what's the best way to do this? I have some dirt-cheap chisels to scrape the excess off and I don't mind stuffing them up if that's the best approach?

4. Are there any solvents I could use that might clear the excess if I see it in time and clean it off before it cures?

TIA.

**MurrayD99** · 28th August 2006, 11:35 AM

I use it with MDF. 1) It reacts with moisture in the timber. I don't think there is much in MDF and I just about always damp one surface. 2) I spreasd it or use a rubbed joint approach. 3) A very sharp chisel will slice it off nicely without damaging the surface. I don't think there is any reason not to use a "good" chisel - it is so soft it isn't going to damage the edge (I mean when it is set). For cleanup (of me and tools) I use Wattyl Super Etch Reducer quick before it dries and turns black but I haven't tried that for wet cleanup on the project - probably be OK. I don't know of anything else that will shift it. It makes life easier if you remove the worst excess after about 30 minutes - before it starts to set. An offcut works fine for this. Careful where you put it down after....

CT · 28th August 2006, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by MurrayD99

It makes life easier if you remove the worst excess after about 30 minutes - before it starts to set. An offcut works fine for this. Careful where you put it down after....

Thanks MurrayD99, I know exactly what you are referring to.

Thanks for the very useful advice on the cleanup and spreading.

**Auld Bassoon** · 28th August 2006, 07:36 PM

A simple trick I sometimes use is to put masking tape over the visible faces of a joint before glue-up, thus any squeeze-out goes onto the masking tape, not the timber.

I've also found out that it's not a good idea to wipe over a glue joint with a wet rag (with PVA) after applying clamps as this just spreads the squeeze out around a bit more

better to let it go off a bit then use a scraper or such to remove the excess.

Others here probably know much better than I the "dos" and "don't" of glue-ups.

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