In heavy-duty construction projects, you need an adhesive that can bond different types of materials. A couple of the most popular construction adhesive brands are Liquid Nails and Gorilla Glue.
If you need a quick cure time and less expansion, liquid nails may be a better choice. If you need stronger bonding strength and gap-filling capacity for outdoor or personal projects, Gorilla Glue may be the best choice.
In this article, I will compare Liquid Nails Vs. Gorilla Glue to help you decide which adhesive to choose for your next project.
First, I will discuss Liquid Nails vs. Gorilla Wood Glue and Liquid Nails vs. Gorilla Construction Adhesive.
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Liquid Nails vs. Gorilla Wood Glue vs. Gorilla Construction Adhesive
Liquid Nails and Gorilla Wood Glue are popular adhesive products with strengths and intended uses.
Liquid Nails
This heavy-duty construction adhesive is designed to bond various materials, including wood, drywall, plaster, ceramic, concrete, masonry, and plastic.
It is particularly useful for large-scale construction projects or home repairs where nails or screws may not be enough.
Liquid Nails typically have a longer drying time compared to some other adhesives, but it provides a very strong bond that’s durable and long-lasting.
Gorilla Wood Glue
As the name implies, this glue is specifically formulated for bonding wood. It is a PVA (polyvinyl acetate) type of glue, which is water-based and non-toxic. Gorilla Wood Glue penetrates the wood grain for a strong bond and dries relatively quickly. It is sandable and paintable, which makes it a great choice for woodworking projects, carpentry, and furniture repair.
Choosing between Liquid Nails and Gorilla Wood Glue depends on the specific requirements of your project.
If you are working with wood and want an adhesive that’s easy to use, dries quickly, and can be painted or sanded, Gorilla Wood Glue is a good choice.
However, Liquid Nails might be more suitable if you’re dealing with various materials or need an adhesive for a heavy-duty construction project.
Gorilla Construction Adhesive
Gorilla Construction Adhesive is another strong, multi-surface adhesive known for its toughness. Like Liquid Nails, it can be used on various surfaces.
However, Gorilla Construction Adhesive is known to be more flexible, which allows for some movement and expansion of the bonded materials without compromising the strength of the bond.
It’s also known to work well on more surfaces and materials than other construction adhesives, including certain types of plastic that can be hard to bond.
Liquid Nails Vs. Gorilla Glue
Let’s know more about Liquid Nails Vs. Gorilla Glue.
Overview of Liquid Nails
Liquid Nails is a construction adhesive with a proprietary hybrid-polymer blend for maximum adhesion. It bonds everything to everything (except polyethylene and polypropylene) and it bonds in any weather. It is water-resistant, durable, flexible, has low VOC, and has very low odor.
You can use it for paneling, molding, flooring, cabinets, countertops, etc. With instant grab technology, it is twice as strong as fasteners. It usually takes 15 minutes to set and 7 days to fully cure. It can be painted over once it is dry.
Overview of Gorilla Glue
Gorilla Glue is a glue that is 100% waterproof and incredibly strong, but still cleans up easily with water. The extended working time and high strength make it ideal for indoor and outdoor woodworking projects where temperatures and moisture might be concerns.
It bonds hardwoods, softwoods, and natural wood composites. It is paintable and sandable and has a natural wood color. It usually takes 20-30 minutes of clamp time and 24 hours to fully cure.
Read More: Power Grab Vs. Liquid Nails
Differences Between Liquid Nails and Gorilla Glue
Curing Time
Liquid Nails initiates the curing process approximately 15 minutes after it has been applied. Nonetheless, it could take up to 24 hours to dry adequately and up to 7 days to cure completely.
Gorilla Glue, on the other hand, begins to cure slower, around 30-40 minutes after application. It also may take up to 24 hours to dry appropriately and up to 7 days to cure entirely.
Consequently, if you require a faster curing period, Liquid Nails might be a more suitable choice than Gorilla Glue.
Performance
You have to consider how well the adhesive bonds and how durable it is when choosing a construction adhesive. Gorilla Glue bonds better to wood than Liquid Nails.
Liquid Nails, however, performed better than Gorilla Glue in a peel strength test. Both adhesives are designed to provide long-lasting bonds that are resistant to weather and aging.
In some cases, Liquid Nails lose its adhesion over time or under extreme conditions. Over time or under stress, Gorilla Glue may harden or crack.
Gap-Filling and Expansion Properties
Liquid Nails have a thick, viscous consistency that fills small gaps and cracks. However, it does not expand significantly during curing. This means that it may not be suitable for bonding large gaps or uneven surfaces.
Gorilla Glue has a unique feature that makes it expand up to 3 times its original volume during curing. In other words, it fills big gaps and creates a firm bond between uneven surfaces. However, it may overflow or ooze out of the edges, which can be messy and require more cleaning.
Suitability for Various Surfaces
Liquid Nails show less bonding power on some surfaces, such as plastic or vinyl. Also, it doesn’t work well on oily or greasy surfaces or surfaces that get wet or moist a lot.
Gorilla Glue is known for bonding different materials. However, it may not work well on smooth or glossy surfaces or on surfaces that are too dry or too wet.
Therefore, before choosing an adhesive for your project, you should check its compatibility.
Read More: Gorilla Glue Vs. Super Glue
Which One Should You Choose? Liquid Nails or Gorilla Glue?
Although Liquid Nails and Gorilla Glue are both powerful and versatile construction adhesives that can bond different types of materials.
But you should consider the following factors before choosing an adhesive:
- The type of surface you are bonding
- The strength and durability of the bond you need
- The gap-filling and expansion properties of the adhesive
- The curing and drying time of the adhesive
In general, Liquid Nails may be a better choice for interior home projects that require faster curing time and less expansion. Gorilla Glue may be a better choice for outdoor or personal projects that require stronger bonding strength and more gap-filling ability.
Is Liquid Nails Waterproof?
Is Liquid Nails Permanent?
Can Liquid Nails Be Removed?
Last Opinion
Both Liquid Nails and Gorilla Glue are popular adhesives used for bonding different materials. Liquid nails are great for surface variations, whereas Gorilla glue works on the same surface materials.
Hope you found this article helpful in comparing liquid nails vs. gorilla glue and make an informed decision. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
