Glues and Pastes

Glues, Pastes and Adhesives may be natural or synthetic and most are either water or solvent based.

---

Note: Washable, mainly water-based adhesives are safe for children to use and suitable for most work involving bare wood, paper and card. Non-porous or painted surfaces may need the application of a Hot Glue Gun or solvent-based adhesive or other adhesive which is set by a chemical reaction

---

Glue Sticks are convenient for sticking flat pieces of paper together and will usually grab instantly.

Water-based PVA type adhesive is good for general use and is non-toxic so safe to use. Unfinished bare card and wood are quickly glued using PVA but some work may need holding together for 10-15mins using weights, paper clips, pegs or Bulldog clips etc. Alternatively, for flat areas, PVA glue can be set with a hot iron.

PVA can also be watered down and mixed with water-based paints to be used as a modelling medium or glaze. It can also be used in building as a binding agent when plastering for example. Watered down it can be used as an alternative to wallpaper paste for Papier-mâché work

More complex wood joints should use the higher strength PVA wood glue. Joints need holding together using a Sash Cramp or 'G' Cramp and perhaps left overnight to set. PVA wood glue is available for both interior and exterior use.