A good general-purpose super glue in an extremely useful gel format. Works well on most surfaces with a few exceptions, perfect for home repairs and DIY.
Table of Contents
Quick Overview
Gorilla really innovated in the superglue market when they came out with their new Gel formula. Just as strong as any other superglue, but with the added simplicity and ease of being in a viscous gel format instead of a liquid, making it perfect for vertical applications where a normal superglue would drip and run.
The glue itself is a cyanoacrylate (CA) glue, like most other superglues. It will work on most indoor surfaces, with very few exceptions. It bonds very quickly, the manufacturer says between 10 and 45 seconds, but in my experience, the gel bonds almost instantly, depending on the surface.
Pros and Cons:
Pros
- Innovative gel formula
- Bonds in 10 seconds
- Dries clear
- Comes with a clogproof cap
- Resists water and impacts
- Can be used indoors and outdoors
- Good value, especially the multipacks
Cons
- Strong smell while wet
- Doesn’t bond certain plastics
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Product Features
Gorilla Super Glue Gel is just like any other CA glue, but with a few nice features in both the glue itself and the bottle. Let’s take a look at some of these features that make this glue unique and worth buying.
Unique gel consistency
Probably the biggest selling point of Gorilla Super Glue Gel – the thick, sticky gel consistency of the glue makes it perfect for gluing on vertical or overhanging surfaces, where a regular superglue would drip off and make a mess. Only a tiny amount is required to form a strong bond and it will stick to anything that other CA glues will stick to.
Very fast bonding
Probably the biggest selling point of Gorilla Super Glue Gel – the thick, sticky gel consistency of the glue. This makes it perfect for gluing on vertical or overhanging surfaces, where a regular superglue would drip off and make a mess. Only a tiny amount is required to form a strong bond and it will stick to anything that other CA glues will stick to.
Anti-clog cap
Gorilla have been adding this feature to their superglue for years, but you would be amazed how many glues still do not come with this simple but essential feature.
Basically, this is a small metal pin on the inside of the glue cap, which prevents the glue from being able to harden inside the tip. Without this, air can sneak inside the bottle, reacting with the glue and causing it to harden. I’m sure everyone has experienced this before, it’s a real pain in the ass when you really need the glue only to find it’s a solidified lump.
Impact resistant
Every Gorilla superglue is impact resistant (not just the gel version!). The glue is not brittle, it can withstand impacts without cracking or fracturing. Often, after a broken item has been repaired, the glued section actually becomes the strongest part of the whole item. Gorilla glue is fully cured after 24 hours, after that the glue is as strong as any mechanical joint on most materials.
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How to use Gorilla Super Glue Gel
Gorilla Super Glue Gel is just like any other CA glue, but the gel formula means you have to give the bottle a good shake before you use it.
1: Prepare the surface you are going to bond
Make sure the surface is clean and dry
2: Shake the bottle well before use
Since the glue is a gel, not a liquid – it needs to be shaken up a bit to get the glue into the cap.
3: After shaking, firmly tap the cap on a hard surface
With the cap still on, turn the bottle upside down and tap the cap on a hard surface a few times. This is to force the gel to move into the cap.
4: Remove the cap and apply a small amount to one surface
Gorilla super glues are designed to be used on only one surface, and you only need a tiny amount. The manufacturer recommends one drop per square inch. Using too much will weaken the final bond.
5: Hold the piece in place for 10-45 seconds
The manufacturer says this glue takes between 10 and 45 seconds to bond but to leave for 24 hours before it has fully cured.
6: Make sure to clean and store the glue correctly for reuse
Wipe off any excess glue from the nozzle, firmly reaffix the anticlog cap, and store the glue somewhere cool and dry. It does not need to be refrigerated.
What Materials does Gorilla Super Glue Gel work on?
Like most CA glues, Gorilla Superglue Gel will work on most household materials, with the exception of a few types of plastic. Some plastics like PVC and Polystyrene can be bonded without any special preparation, whereas others like PET / Polypropylene can not be reliably bonded without a special primer. In the middle, we have HDPE/LDPE plastic, which can be bonded, but the bond will not be strong.
HDPE is the most common household plastic. It’s what bottle caps and milk cartons are made from. If you need a strong bond, superglue is not the best option for you. You can overcome the limitations of CA superglue by using a plastic cement instead, or by using a CA primer on the surface before applying the superglue.
If you just need a quick fix until you can replace an item, superglue can be used on HDPE/LDPE to form a weak bond to hold something in place until you can find a better solution.
Gel will work well on:
- Wood
- Paper
- Most Plastics
- Tile
- Fabrics
- PVC
- Cardboard
- Stone
- Brick
- Vinyl
- Metal
- Rubber
But not too well on…
- HDPE / LDPE Polyethylene
- PTFE (Teflon)
- Polypropylene Plastics
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FAQs
What are the ingredients?
Gorilla Super Glue Gel is a standard CA superglue. It’s made from Ethyl Cyanoacrylate
Is Gorilla Super Glue Gel safe for Aquariums?
Gorilla Super Glue Gel is completely chemically inert in water once it has cured. It is perfectly safe to use on corals, underwater structures, and other in-aquarium features, however, it is NOT safe to build the aquarium itself using superglue. Instead, use acrylic cement (for an acrylic/plexiglass aquarium) or silicone sealant (for glass aquariums).
How do I remove Gorilla Super Glue Gel from my skin?
Gorilla Super Glue Gel can be difficult to remove from your skin once it’s dry, but it will come off with a little persistence. Soak the area (probably your hands) in warm, soapy water. Gently scrub the area with a cloth or sponge while keeping your hands wet. (Kitchen scrubber sponges work well for this!)
If you want to speed up the process you can use a little acetone on the glue (Acetone can be found in most nail polish removers) however it will come off just with water and soap. Don’t be too rough with yourself, CA glue is stronger than your skin, if you try to rip it off you’re going to have a bad day!
Can I buy it in bulk?
Since CA glue is so reactive, it would be pointless to sell a large bottle of it. One tiny drop of air in the bottle could cause the entire thing to react and harden, making it unusable. Instead, the glue is sold in small bottles (between 10-25 grams) which you can buy several of, to use as required.
You can buy a multipack on Amazon, however, if you really need that much glue, it might not be the best adhesive for your project. Consider using a two-part epoxy for larger projects.
What color is it when it’s dry?
The Gorilla Super Glue Gel is completely clear and colorless when it’s dry.
How long does it take to dry?
As with all CA glues, it will be dry in a matter of seconds, depending on the surface material and how much glue you used. The manufacturer says anywhere between 10-45 seconds, however, in my experience it dries almost instantly. According to Gorilla, the glue is not fully cured until 24 hours later, however, it will create a strong and permanent bond after only a few seconds.
Can I use Gorilla Super glue gel on Jewelry?
You can definitely use Gorilla Glue Superglue Gel on Jewelry. Gorilla Superglue Gel will bond all kinds of metal and stone with no issues.
The Gel formula is more viscous than the regular Gorilla super glue, which may or may not be more useful for you depending on the application. For very small repairs, you may be better off with the regular Gorilla Superglue (not the gel version) with a precision applicator.
How long can I store it for?
The shelf life of Gorilla Superglue is not an exact science. The problem isn’t the glue itself, it doesn’t go off like food would, however the longer you store it, the more chance that air or moisture gets in and reacts with the glue, causing it to harden. No matter what the manufacturers say, CA glue does have a finite shelf life for this reason.
Once you’ve opened the bottle (even if you are careful to put the cap back on tightly) air will get in and react with the glue after a couple of months, rendering it useless.
Thankfully, Gorilla Super glues (all types) come with an anticlog cap, which extends the shelf life far beyond a regular cap (which can sometimes not prevent air from getting in even after only a few hours) but even with this, it can’t be relied on after a month or two of sitting on the shelf.
The solution for this is to buy two bottles, and always have a spare sealed bottle stored ready to use, just in case your partially used bottle does end up becoming unusable after some time.
Safety Data Sheet
Also known as SDS, or REACH compliance in the EU. Every manufacturer and distributor of hazardous chemicals have to provide a copy.
If you need the datasheet for Gorilla Superglue Gel, there’s a link to it below:
http://hk.gorillaglue.com/media/normal/372_Gorilla_Super_Glue_Gel_-_North_America_SDS.pdf
Does it expand?
Gorilla Super Glue Gel does NOT expand or contract when used. This means it can not be used to fill gaps or cracks, and also it’s safe to use on very delicate projects without risking the glue exerting pressure on the material as it dries.
Is it food safe?
CA glue can give off some nasty fumes when it’s wet, so it’s not recommended to store it anywhere near food, but once the glue is dry, it’s perfectly safe. You can repair a broken handle or something and it’s not going to affect you. Just don’t go swallowing the glue and you’ll be fine.
Will it work on shoes?
It’s great for shoes! It will have no problem bonding rubber or leather. Depending on the shoes, there might be a better option.
Gorilla Super Glue Gel glue doesn’t have much flexibility once it’s dry, so if you use it to repair a part of the shoe that will be flexing back and forth often (the sole) it will wear out and crack over time. It’s perfect for reattaching a broken heel, fixing a buckle or a strap.
