Unusual use of a glue gun: what can be done from hot glue

The advent of hot-melt glue and glue gun seriously expanded our capabilities. A simple device helps to dazzle various details, assemble furniture, perform small housework. And also a lot of useful and convenient things are made from hot-melt adhesive.

Features of hot glue

In the gun, hot melt is exposed to temperatures up to 200 degrees Celsius, melts and is applied to the desired part. On the surface, the solution dries in minutes, providing strong adhesion. Bonding strength is achieved due to the fact that liquid glue penetrates into all the pores of the materials to be joined, and the seam is perfect.

Features of hot melt adhesive include such factors:

1. Drying speed. This takes several minutes, and at a higher temperature - seconds.
2. The strength of the seam. It can be compared with metal fasteners. The efforts of an ordinary person will not succeed in breaking the glued parts.
3. Cost. The price of hot glue is low, which makes it affordable for almost any job.

4. Resistance to the influence of various factors. The temperature difference, the scorching sun, the effects of household chemicals or water are indifferent to the glue line. Bonded items can last for many years without the risk of tearing the seam.
5. Easy removal. If the parts need to be separated, there will be no traces of glue - just heat the surface and remove the product.
6. Safe composition. When melting harmful substances are not released, therefore hot melt adhesive is used in children's crafts.
7. Possibility of replacing sealant. In its absence, cracks, chips or holes are sealed with hot-melt adhesive.

Glue is produced for any needs and can vary both in composition and in color, length, diameter of the rods.

to contents ↑

Hot Glue Crafts

Glue guns are a “weapon” not only in creative hands. For small household needs, a gun with such a solution is also useful. In the process of working with hot-melt adhesive, it is necessary to ensure good ventilation of the room and protect your hands. The glue coming out of the gun will be heated to a very high temperature, therefore it is safer to work with gloves.

To understand the value of this device, you need to familiarize yourself with useful ways to use a glue gun.

to contents ↑

Anti-slip layer for carpets and shoes

Slippery shoes carry a lot of problems in the winter. Moreover, such a sole is equally dangerous for both children's and adult shoes. The rugs in the bathroom also have a slippery base, or the glossy floor does not allow them to lie tightly. For both problems it is enough to apply hotmelt in the following way:

1. The surface of the rug or shoe is thoroughly cleaned.
2. The heated adhesive composition is applied to the desired places pointwise, spiral or randomly. On the rug, glue is dripped only at the edges of the product, and sometimes a name or a pattern is displayed on the sole of the shoe so that a funny mark remains in the snow.
3. The solution applied is allowed to dry.

You can perform a similar procedure with children: they will have fun painting their own boots with glue.

to contents ↑

Light objects on the wall without nails and holes

There are many light objects that can be placed on the wall, for example, Christmas garlands, birthday streamers, photographs or children's crafts. It’s inconvenient to drive a nail for each element, it is better to use hot glue. The wall is pre-cleaned of dust and debris, and a small piece of electrical tape is glued to the future fastening area, on which glue is applied on the other side. After that, the edge of the desired picture or extension is connected to the electrical tape. When the relevance of the hanging streamers passes, it is enough to peel off the electrical tape without harm to the finish.

It is important to understand that it is not recommended to fix furniture to the wall in this way: the maximum weight that the adhesive joint can withstand is 150 kg. It may seem that this is enough for a shelf, but as soon as books, vases and candlesticks “stand” on it, the construction will become dangerous.

to contents ↑

Aligning photo frames and paintings

A quite common problem is lovingly hung frames or paintings skewed on the wall. The reasons usually lie in the incorrect distribution of weight, because objects often hang on one nail. To align them, a glue gun will come in handy again:

• visually you need to determine which edge of the frame is above;
• put a little glue on the inside corner and let it dry;
• check whether balance has been achieved;
• add more glue if necessary.

This option will not only create the necessary balance for the frame, but also allow it not to come close to the wall so as not to leave marks.

to contents ↑

Pet Scrubber

In pet stores, many items are sold for the pleasure of animals, among them there are scallops for cats or dogs. These devices can be in the form of a regular comb or worn on the arm. The second option is easily implemented at home. To do this, you need to choose rubber gloves of a suitable color and size and apply glue droplets on them from the palm. The more drops, the more combing is productive. The glue must be allowed to dry and you can begin the procedure.

Thanks to this “invention”, a pet will not only enjoy it, but will also be cleaned of shed hair, and much less hair will fly around the apartment.

to contents ↑

Home-made vase

Uniqueness in a regular glass vase is made possible by glue and creative skills. For this, chaotic or even lines of patterns are applied to the vase with a pistol; small decorative elements are added if desired.

If you use a wide bowl, you can create a candy store. To do this, the container will need to be greased with a fat cream or oil, apply frequent patterns of glue, and then remove. In the hands will remain a hemisphere with intricate lines.

to contents ↑

Printing for letters made of wax crayons

It is convenient that you can insert not only hot-melt glue sticks into the glue gun, but also wax crayons. Thus, it is realistic to obtain material for sealing envelopes:

• insert a wax pencil without a wrapper into the glue gun;
• wait for the material to heat up;
• when molten wax flows from the tip of the gun, you can begin to work.

Before starting work, you must have a draft substrate nearby to adapt to make beautiful prints. It is important to understand that after these steps it will not be possible to clean the gun, it is better to purchase another inexpensive one and make seals for envelopes only with it.

to contents ↑

Bracelets

An activity that will captivate the female part of the family is the creation of hot glue bracelets. To do this, you will need an empty aluminum can from any drink. Then proceed as follows:

• on top of the can, apply several thin strips of glue, depending on the desired width of the bracelet;
• remove the dried strips and rinse with water;
• decorate with additional elements or paint in different colors.

Another option for creating a bracelet is to make many large drops of glue where you can install rhinestones, beads, and figures. After drying, such drops are easily strung on a thread and form a bracelet. It is important to use a surface that the adhesive does not adhere to: parchment paper or a silicone mat.

to contents ↑

Eraser at the end of a pencil

Not every pencil is “equipped” with an elastic band at the tip, but this is convenient. If your pencil lacks such an important element, use hot melt adhesive. Just put a drop of the solution on the tip: the dried glue copes with the tasks of the eraser.

to contents ↑

Fun and unique buttons

Any item of clothing can be decorated with designer buttons. To do this, just turn on the fantasy and study the algorithm of actions:

• prepare a parchment or silicone lining so that the glue does not stick;
• squeeze out a drop from the gun, which forms the desired diameter of the circle;
• if you wish, decorate the glue or add glitter to it;
• make frozen round holes with a toothpick.

If you want to decorate the whole button with sparkles, then the first drop must be squeezed onto the surface already sprinkled with them.

to contents ↑

Coat hanger

Many things try to slip off the hanger in the closet. This is a rather annoying phenomenon, because ironed clothes sometimes wait for a special occasion, but they find it below, long fallen and wrinkled. Hot glue will help to eliminate such situations: on the upper crossbar of the shoulders, several drops of glue should be applied at an equal distance. After drying, the hanger will find reliable “barriers” that will prevent clothes from sliding.

Working with a glue gun in a few minutes will become familiar and uncomplicated, even if you have not encountered it before. And the amazing adhesion properties of hot melt glue with different surfaces will open up new opportunities for creativity, household chores or entertainment.