If you are wondering about the actual difference between PVA and wood glue then you are in the right place. Confusion about these glues is a global problem for all the glue lovers. If you are thinking that all the adhesives are similar in their function and the only difference is in color, you might be wrong. All glues are made of separate chemicals and work differently on a particular surface.
Understanding the difference between PVA and wood glue is important before you take these products to your home from a store.
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Is there any difference between Wood Glue and PVA?
The short and quick answer to this question is YES! There is a lot of difference between these two types of glue. These two adhesives have not only differences of color but also properties. The major difference between these two is that all the PVA are wood glues but not all the wood glues need to be PVA. Wood glues can be of different types other than PVA. We will discuss wood glue, PVA and their similarities and differences here. So, let’s start the game!
Wood Glue:
Wood glue is an adhesive that is mainly used for making a strong bond between two pieces of wood. It is itself not a glue, rather just a classification of glue. When you will visit the glue section of your nearby store you will find a lot of different glues there. You need to have all three kinds of wood glue in your box but before that, you need to understand the properties to use these effectively.
One of the most durable wood glue is Resorcinol glue that seals furniture and fixes it. It is completely waterproof and long-lasting bonds are made. Another form is an aliphatic resin that is traditionally yellow, and it dries quickly than PVA, it also holds stronger than white glue. The last type of wood glue is urea-formaldehyde is mainly used for indoor applications, this plastic resin is highly resistant to all types of paints. It takes a little bit more time to dry but holds tightly. Wood glues are not bound to only these glues rather it is versatile, other than PVA, hide glue, epoxy glue, polyurethane, and cyanoacrylate glue are also its major types.
PVA – Polyvinyl Acetate:
PVA is a polyvinyl acetate that is used as adhesive worldwide, it comes in both white and yellow colors. It becomes very famous because of its super-strong holding strength White PVA is preferred for indoors because it loses its strength with moisture while yellow PVA is outdoor because it is water-resistant. White glue is made from byproducts, it is completely natural and even safe to eat. It dries clear with time and doesn’t shrink quickly. PVA also has many types each having its properties and attributes. this adhesive is very versatile but once it gets stuck on anything it is difficult to wipe them off, so it’s better to be careful while using it.
Similarities Between PVA and Wood Glue:
The common thing in these glues is that both wood glue and PVA are derived from animal byproducts. Animals are the main source of their formula whether it is resins in wood glue or other products that are used to make white glue. Both of these adhesives are stronger than the wood itself that enables them to join pieces more coherently so you need not worry about strength and holding capacity.
Differences Between PVA and Wood Glue:
If we talk about physical differences then the major difference is of color but the story doesn’t end here. They are majorly different in the way they are processed and the chemical features they both have which leads to different adhesive strengths. The wood glue is formed by a strong irreversible chemical manipulation and a tint of moisture strengthens it. The aliphatic resins it has does not allow the pieces to move once they are aligned. Aliphatic resins are non-aromatic organic compounds and in this carbon atoms are linked together in the form of an open chain.
PVA and wood glue also have a difference in their drying time, the former one dries much softer than the later one. If drying is not done properly then after some timelines become visible as the wood movements begin. Heating to make the glue soften is much easier in the case of PVA while for wood adhesives it is a time-taking task.
How to Use PVA to Glue Wood:
Wood glue is a stronger version of ordinary PVA, and it is for heavier jobs. Although PVA is a low cost, you can use this versatile glue to join pieces of wood together. The method varies according to the mode of application but here we have discussed some of the simple steps with you that you can follow. Let’s have a look!
Steps to Follow:
- The first and obvious step is that squeeze the PVA glue onto the pieces of wood you want to join together.
- Use a damp cloth to remove if there is any excessive glue or spills.
- Now spread the glue evenly with the help of a glue spreader or brush, make sure that a thin coat is applied on both sides.
- Push the pieces with each other, this is done so that no trapped air is left inside it and the adhesive is distributed equally.
- When applying PVA on wood, don’t forget to do clamping it makes the connection strong. Take a G-clamp and put it on the wood
- Leave the pieces with a clamp for 24 hours.
- The last step is to sand off if there is any excess glue left on the sides.
- You will see wood pieces joined together perfectly.
Conclusion:
After completing the discussion about PVA and wood glue, we came to the conclusion that we can use PVA as a wood glue but all wood glues are not necessarily PVA, as it has many other types.