- Hot glue has various ratings for multiple applications.Hot glue gun isolated image by Marek Kosmal from Fotolia.com
Hot glue, otherwise known as thermoplastic, is applied to a surface hot and bonds as it cools. Hot glue and glue guns are commonly used for arts and crafts because of the wide range of materials that hot glue can stick together. First developed by an engineer at Proctor and Gamble around 1940, they have evolved to a full line of hot glues for both home and commercial use. - The most commonly used and least expensive hot glue for arts and crafts is the general purpose variety. It is excellent in low-demand applications such as floral wreaths, and other craft projects. This glue stick should be clear. There are bargain priced, milky white, varieties available but they have hardly any adhesive in them and their bonds fail at a surprising rate, so they'e not a bargain in the long run.
- For gluing porous to porous surfaces encountered in woodworking and pottery, a higher grade glue stick is available. Multiple performance levels of sticks are available all the way up to ones that will work on slick, shiny surfaces like glass or metal. Rated for this tougher bond, the sticks are available in craft stores. Select the grade for the application the project requires.
- Ultra-performing glue sticks known as polyamides are the ultimate when gluing high-demand projects that entail joining non-porous to non-porous materials such as metals, or projects that will be exposed to high-temperature environments.
- Colored glue sticks are available for use in craft projects where only medium bonding strength is needed. Glitter sticks are also available, which have glitter co-mingled in the colored glue sticks.
- Soft, moldable glue sticks replicate the look of old-fashioned sealing wax and are available in a wide range of colors. This glue is pliable to withstand the rigors of the modern mail system, unlike its original predecessor, sealing wax, which can crack and break in transit. Like sealing wax, a circle is melted over the back flap of an envelope and then a metal stamp is pressed into the glue while still warm to make it look like its antique counterpart.
- A wide variety of specialty glue sticks are on the market today. Glue sticks are made specifically for jewelry-making, carton sealing, carpet backing, even automobile dent pulling; each has its own unique blend of polymers. Highly technical data is available on each, but unnecessary; ask a retail store that carries the supplies for your project to guide you to the proper glue stick for your application.
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