Spray Adhesive

Spray adhesive is a low viscosity glue that comes in a pressurised can. The glue sprays as a fine mist, ideal for even application. The key advantages of spray adhesives are their quick and even distribution of glue, fast drying rate, and wrinkle-free results. 

Compatible with a wide range of materials, these glues are designed to be sprayable contact adhesive, which means that this glue is not designed to be exposed to the elements. It’s designed to sit between two contact points, like a fabric glued onto foam. 

You can use spray adhesive for foam, wood, metal, acrylic, fabric, cardboard, leather, corkboard, glass, foil, rubber, and plastics bonding. If your project is destined for the outdoors, take care to select an appropriate adhesive glue spray for the job as some aren't suited to high temperatures or humidity. 

With options for multi purpose spray adhesive available, as well as options for specialised purposes, like floral adhesive spray, there are many types of spray adhesives, designed to cater to crafts, furniture making, textiles, and household repairs.  

Spray glue adhesive works well to bond large objects, as long as they are lightweight and have surfaces that are made from compatible materials. Check the label of your spray glue to determine if it’s right for your project. 

For non-load bearing projects, adhesive spray glue is a great way to bond most types of surfaces and materials permanently. As long as the item being sprayed with glue has a sufficient surface area relative to its weight for bonding, the bond should hold. 

Though it seems like contact glue spray is a fitting solution for the easy hanging of wallpaper, it is not recommended. 

When needing to sew something into a precise spot or in situations where sewing is not applicable, fabric spray adhesive can be a great solution. Though multi purpose spray adhesive is compatible with fabric surfaces, the bond created by contact glue spray specialised for fabric is superior. Take care, because not all kinds of spray glue for fabric will bond with all fabric types. 

Follow our guide for using spray adhesive on fabric: 

• Clean fabric: dirt and grit will weaken glue bonds. Make sure you clean and dry your fabric thoroughly before using spray adhesive on it.
• Lay the bigger (or only) piece of fabric down on a clean, flat surface. 
• If attaching something other than fabric to the fabric, lightly spray adhesive on the back of that object, rather than onto the fabric lying on the flat surface. If gluing fabric to fabric, spray the back of the smaller piece of fabric. 
• Carefully and quickly lay down your glue-coated object. Spray adhesives dry in approximately 30 seconds, so take care to place your object with care and precision. If gluing fabric onto fabric, push out air bubbles from the centre, outward. 

It can be easy to get wrinkles in a finished product when gluing something thin like paper. Craft spray adhesive is a fitting tool, because it doesn’t wrinkle paper when dry in the way PVA glue is prone to. The process for spraying glue onto paper is much the same as the process for spraying adhesive onto fabric. 

1. Lay the bigger piece of paper down on a clean, flat surface. 
2. If gluing paper to paper, spray the back of the smaller piece of paper. 
3. When spraying, apply the craft spray glue with a continuous sweeping motion to create a light, even layer. 
4. Carefully and quickly lay down your paper. Spray adhesives dry in approximately 30 seconds, so take care to place your object with care and precision. 
5. To avoid bubble formation, smooth your hands or fingers from the centre of the paper, outward. 

Though some varieties of spray can glue are waterproof, some are only moisture resistant, so it’s important to choose the right product for your project. 

Spray can adhesive has a drying time of approximately 15 seconds to one minute. The time it takes for the bonds to form is anywhere from 15 seconds to 15 minutes. For full bonding, and thus, maximum strength, leave your glued items undisturbed overnight. 

Spray adhesive doesn’t necessarily cure or ‘crystallise’ in the same way we know other glues do. Spray adhesive is a contact adhesive spray designed to be sandwiched between two objects. When exposed to open air, spray adhesive is known to be tacky, and collect dust and other detritus. 

Though there are some exceptions. For example, if using spray adhesive specialised for bonding loose glitter, these glues are designed to achieve a dry and clear finish. 

Most spray adhesive varieties dry clear and won’t yellow over time. If used sparingly, they don’t bleed through to the surface level of your project. 

We don’t recommend using spray adhesive to bond materials to walls, but if some happens to get sprayed onto your walls, they should be easy enough to clean off. Many adhesive sprays are water based so the dry tacky residue they are prone to leaving should be simple to remove. 

To remove spray adhesive, household vegetable oils are a popular option. 

• Spread a layer of canola oil over the affected area with a multipurpose wipe, and allow to sit for an hour. The glue residue should wipe away. 
• Rubbing alcohol or vodka can be applied in a similar way. 

To remove spray adhesive from fabric, follow this simple guide: 

1. Lay the affected fabric on a clean and flat surface.
2. Cover the affected area of the fabric with cello tape. Rub on firmly. 
3. Like a beautician, wax off the cello and remove the glue thusly. Repeat until all glue has been removed. Loosen stubborn residual glue by rubbing vigorously with your finger. The friction should release the remaining glue.  
4. With cello tape, finish with a final waxing to pick up the last remnants.