UV Glue – Best UV Light Glue for All Projects and Materials

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Some materials require a unique adhesive to achieve a stable and durable bond. One of these special adhesives can be a UV adhesive. What is special about this adhesive, for which materials an adhesive with UV light is suitable, and how to use it best, we will tell you in our UV adhesive test.

 

 

 

What Is UV Glue?

UV glue is an adhesive type that works very well on a range of surfaces, including epoxy resin and acrylic-based materials. Like most UV products, UV glue can be quickly cured with a UV light to form a hard and durable bond. The properties and functionality of UV adhesive can be easily compared to UV resin, which also cures quickly under UV light. Under the light, polymerization occurs within a few seconds, and this quick curing time is a significant advantage, particularly in industrial production.

uv light glue

When it comes to curing, you can use LED UV lights, UV gas lamps, or even pure sunlight. The wavelengths of light that you use do need to be considered quite carefully, however, as they will need to match the specifications for each individual product.

A simple rule of thumb that you can follow, however, is that the stronger the light source, the faster your adhesive will cure. 

Although popular in industrial settings, UV glue is also loved by home creates and DIYers. Among the many advantages that UV adhesive has, they are solvent-free and also have only a single component. Other adhesives that have the strength of UV glues, like epoxies, generally have two parts that require mixing, but for UV lights, you simply need to apply the glue and use a UV light to cure it. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of UV adhesives.

PROS

  • The pot life can be quite long
  • Easy to use
  • The bond is durable and resilient
  • Cures quickly
  • Item can be further mechanically processed after curing
  • Suitable for interior and exterior use
  • Versatile
  • Suitable for many surfaces
  • The bonded area can be modeled later

CONS

  • More expensive than other adhesives
  • Not suitable for larger surfaces
  • The adhesive is sensitive to soiling at the bonding point
  • You need to clean the bonding point before gluing

 

 

Our Recommendations for the Best UV-Activated Glue

There are many excellent UV-activated glue brands on offer. However, there are some of them that can score exceptionally well. You can find out what these are and what advantages they offer the user in our UV adhesive test below.

Best UV Adhesive

 

The Best UV Adhesive: BONDIC LED UV Liquid Plastic Welding Pro Kit

Bondic LED UV liquid glue is the test winner when it comes to durability and ease of use. When fully cured, Bondic is waterproof and heat-resistant. Once cured, the glue is clear and can easily be painted and sanded. The glue comes with a LED UV light with an easy press button.

BONDIC LED UV Liquid Plastic Welding Pro Kit
  • Once cured, the glue is 100% waterproof and heat-resistant
  • Dries clear and can be sanded and painted after curing
  • The solvent-free formula is suitable for a wide variety of materials
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When used with the light, the glue cures in seconds, creating a permanent and highly durable bond. Bondic is solvent-free and stays liquid until cured with UV light. You can use Bondic with plastic, wood, metal, rubber, ceramic, vinyl, Kevlar, leather, and more! Although the price is a little high, it is well worth it as the glue has so much to offer.

PROS
  • Versatile
  • Suitable for almost all materials
  • Solvent-free
  • Remains clear after curing
  • Can be sanded and painted
  • Remains liquid before UV light curing
CONS
  • A little pricey

 

The Best Value for Money UV Adhesive: FLASHFIX UV Liquid Plastic Welder Kit

For a more affordable UV glue option, we strongly recommend Flashfix. The glue comes with a UV flashlight that will cure the liquid plastic adhesive within seconds. Once cured, you can sand and paint the glue with ease. The plastic weld is durable and permanent, making it perfect for long-lasting repairs to a range of different surfaces.

FLASHFIX UV Liquid Plastic Welder Kit
  • Creates a strong and durable bond with the UV light torch
  • Cures clear and can be sanded, painted, and customized easily
  • Can be used to fill, seal, and weld interior and exterior surfaces
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You can use this UV glue on both interior and exterior surfaces, and it will not yellow over time. Flashfix is suitable for sealing, welding, and filling gaps with a precision tip that resists clogging and allows for precise application and less waste. The glue contains no solvents and does not dry out or harden in the bottle. The glue is also heat and water-resistant.

PROS
  • More affordable than other options
  • Durable and permanent
  • Dries clear
  • Can be sanded and painted
  • Suitable for interior and exterior projects
CONS
  • The fumes may be overwhelming

 

 

Fields of Application of Ultraviolet Light Curing Adhesive

The versatility of glues that cure with UV light is one of their greatest selling points. Not only can you join different materials together, but you can also use UV glue to reconstruct material, fill gaps, and provide protection to delicate surfaces. If, for example, you want to bond two uneven surfaces, a thin layer of adhesive will fill the gaps and create a smooth connection. If you want to fill up gaps, then you can apply the UV glue in a few layers.

ultraviolet glue

The UV adhesive can also be used to reconstruct different materials. It is particularly suitable for sheathing low current cables or as a replacement for small fragments of objects. UV glue is one of the most versatile adhesives available, and it can be used for a wide range of applications. From automotive assembly to architectural bonding, UV-activated glue is a fantastic option. We do, however, suggest that you do not use UV adhesive for large-scale bonds, as it is most suitable for smaller projects. As an adhesive, it is ideally suited for

  • Wood
  • Leather
  • Metal
  • Plastics, especially transparent ones
  • Crystal
  • Glass

 

Glass

There are not many adhesives that are suitable for bonding glass together, but UV glue is one of the best options. There are many reasons why UV glue is great for glass, including the fact that it is transparent and does not change color over time.

UV adhesive is also fantastic for stained-glass windows and bevel bonding.

 

Handles and Doors

Not only is UV glue perfect for bonding two pieces of the same substance, but it is also great for joining different substances together. This property makes UV adhesive suitable for securing door knobs and handles to doors and cabinets. In fact, UV glue is also water-resistant, so you can use it on shower doors.

UV Activated Adhesive

 

Automotive Parts

The ability of UV glue to bond different materials makes it perfect for automotive assembly jobs. You can use UV adhesive to bond seat belt monitoring switches and headlamps.

UV glue is fast-drying, which makes it great for large volume assembly.

 

Architectural Repairs

Not only is UV glue suitable for bonding different materials, but it can also be used as a coating and sealant. This durable glue is also resistant to thermal shock and vibration. You can use UV glue for quick repairs around the house, including staircases, windows, and pipes.

Easy UV Adhesive

 

Repairs of All Kinds with Adhesives with UV Light

The UV adhesive not only enables exceptionally stable adhesive joints but is also ideally suited as a filling material and for repairs. It can also be used for sensitive materials, as it is not as aggressive as many other types of adhesive. Furthermore, it does not contain any solvents. On a small scale, the adhesive is even suitable for modeling.

Please note that a UV-curing adhesive is not suitable for PP, PE and PTFE. Otherwise, the UV adhesive is suitable for glass as well as for metal, wood and other materials, which makes it practically universal.

Small damages to surfaces can be easily removed with UV adhesive. Simply fill the crack with the adhesive. As it is transparent and has about the same feel as hard plastic after curing, the repair area is almost invisible afterward. This is particularly practical for repair areas that have to withstand high levels of vibration.

 

Repairing the Floor Covering

Especially in households with animals or children, the floor covering is quickly damaged. Claw marks or the odd broken glass in a child’s hand quickly make the floor less attractive. These damages are particularly annoying when they occur on an expensive floor covering.

ultraviolet light activated glue

Before you tear out the entire floor and replace it, there is another alternative: you can repair it using a UV adhesive. Simply fill the crack or scratch with a UV adhesive and let it cure with the UV lamp. To make the floor level, you can sand the dried adhesive afterward.

 

Seal the Drill holes

Drill holes in the house can be repaired in various ways, for example, by filling them. However, this is often associated with a more or less high effort and a rather long drying time of the materials. Particularly in the case of tiles, drilled holes often pose a significant aesthetic problem. As a rule, drilling holes cannot be avoided, especially if the house in question has been inhabited for a long time.

A big problem is the color tone, which, of course, should correspond to the surface in need of repair. It is usually challenging to achieve an optimal result here.

An adhesive with UV light can work wonders here: it is available in practical tubes that allow easy and precise application. The repair is completed within a few moments, and the pot life can be freely selected. The latter means that the area can be easily repaired even if some of the blue light glue goes wrong. Even after the adhesive has hardened, you can still polish, file, or grind the glued area.

 

Glue Glass

Glass bonding is always a particular challenge, because this material is not only highly susceptible to further breakage, but also has an extremely smooth surface. This makes it difficult for many types of adhesives to develop their adhesive properties well. It is particularly tricky to glue glass to glass, but gluing glass to wood can also present problems for the do-it-yourselfer. A further problem is not only the surface structure of the material to be bonded, but also fixing both surfaces to be bonded together until the adhesive can develop its effect. Many adhesives need a certain amount of time until they harden.

uv glue pen

During this time, however, the two surfaces can slip, especially on the glass. It is often difficult to fix glass – it could splinter or break under stress. If you use a UV adhesive, you can control the curing process yourself, so that there is no longer any risk of the objects being bonded slipping. Glass, in particular, offers a decisive advantage here: it is transparent and can, therefore, be exposed to UV light not only from the front but also from the back. This allows the adhesive to develop its potential perfectly. The UV adhesive is, therefore, the perfect adhesive for glass.

 

Storage and Durability of Glues with UV Light

The UV adhesive should be stored in a dry and cool place if it is still sealed. The storage temperature should be between +5° Celsius and +25° Celsius.

Opened cartridges should be stored airtight in the refrigerator and used up immediately.

 

Safety Instructions for Processing UV-Curing Adhesives

Working with the UV-curing adhesive requires some safety precautions. Not only should the workplace be specially protected, but also the user. The UV adhesive can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skin and respiratory tract. You should also think about protecting your eyes.

Safety Gear for UV Glue

Always wear gloves and protective goggles when working. You should also ventilate your work area well or use a respiratory mask. Make sure that the adhesive does not come into contact with your eyes or mucous membranes and seek medical attention immediately if this happens.

 

 

A Brief Tutorial for UV Adhesive Application

UV glue requires a slightly different process from many other adhesives that you may be more familiar with. The material needs to be properly prepared, and you need to ensure that you apply the glue carefully and use the light for enough time. Here is a brief tutorial on how to apply UV adhesive.

  • Before applying the UV adhesive, the surface to be bonded must be treated. This should be dry as well as free of grease and dust. First, use pure alcohol and a lint-free cloth to clean the surfaces. Please note that very smooth surfaces often require roughening in order for the adhesive to develop its adhesive properties optimally.
  • After cleaning, you can apply the adhesive. Note that it can be applied in several layers to fill up grooves and holes. Also, to achieve better adhesion, you can first fix the surface by applying a thin layer of adhesive. Then apply a second, denser layer to optimize the adhesive properties.

Best UV Glue

  • After you have applied the UV adhesive, you can bond the surfaces and use the UV lamp to let the adhesive cure. If the light does not reach the adhesive everywhere, press the surfaces firmly together for at least thirty seconds.
  • After curing, the adhesive can be processed mechanically, for example by grinding. Painting or varnishing is also possible.
  • If you want to remove UV adhesives, do so with petroleum ether when the adhesive has not yet cured. You can soak already hardened adhesive with soapy water.

 

UV Adhesive is an incredibly versatile adhesive, which is worth buying despite its higher price. It is not only of great interest for industry, but also for the do-it-yourselfer. We hope we could help you with our UV adhesive guide.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Does UV Glue Work?

Absolutely. UV adhesive is one of the most durable adhesives that you can use on a range of surfaces. You can use UV glue on wood, metal, ceramic, and even leather. All that you need to do is ensure that you can cure your UV glue with the light.

 

Is UV Adhesive Stronger than Epoxy?

Epoxy is widely considered to be the strongest adhesive, as it is the most resistant to heat, chemicals, water, and impact.

 

Do You Need to Wear a Mask when Using UV Adhesive?

It is strongly suggested that you do wear a mask and gloves when working with UV glue. The fumes can be a little overwhelming and you do not want to get any glue in your eyes.

 

5 Comments

  1. Does it require a special UV light, orbwill any UV light work?

    1. Avatar of resin-expert resin-expert says:

      We recommend using a UV light to make sure it hardens out evenly.

  2. Very helpful, thank you!

  3. Avatar of Carré Jacques Carré Jacques says:

    Hello, I am a private user, I mean not in business, and I do not have any experience with U.V glue.
    I believe that glue is probably one of the best, but I do not understand how UV Light acts when the bonding point is out of sight of the UV light. when repairing a ceramic cup for example.
    Early last year I have got a bondic kit which never operated properly on anything that is just false propaganda, remember the ads on internet when a guy glues some concrete blocks and ran on them… remember these ads on TV showinf a tractor glueded on a ceiling of a barn…Lol
    Thanks for answering to me and have a good afternoon, and laughing about these ads addressed to fools to be polite on that mail.
    Regards
    Jacqques CARRE from France
    Presently tractors in France are not hanging on ceilings of barns but jamming traffic on highways

    1. Avatar of resin-expert resin-expert says:

      Thank you for your inquiry about using UV glue, especially in situations where the bonding area is not directly exposed to UV light, such as repairing a ceramic cup. UV glue, indeed, works best when the adhesive is exposed to UV light, as the light is what activates the glue to cure and harden. For areas that are out of sight and not directly exposed to the UV light, this can be a challenge because the UV rays need to reach the glue to initiate the curing process.

      In the case of repairing a ceramic cup, if the break is in an area that’s not directly visible or accessible to UV light, the effectiveness of UV glue may be limited. For such applications, you might consider using a different type of adhesive that does not require light to cure, such as a two-part epoxy resin that cures through a chemical reaction between its components.

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