4 Best Teak Wood Glue for Construction and Repairs

What kind of adhesive works best for teak wood?

It is not always apparent which wood glues will work when attempting to glue teak wood, and it is also possible that certain wood glues might possibly harm your teak. Epoxy resin is the most effective adhesive for oily woods like teak and other similar materials.

In this article, we will discuss the kinds of epoxy that are most suitable for use on teak.

There is virtually no other option that is superior, which is why we will focus our attention in this post on determining which kind of epoxy is ideal for use on teak. This will contain a tutorial on how to properly prepare the surfaces, apply the adhesive, and produce a firm bond once it has been applied.

When it comes to gluing teak wood, a good rule of thumb is to pay extra attention to the surface preparation, since the oils in the wood have a tendency to make the adhesive bind less strong.

Acetone is used in the process of degreasing the surface, which is an essential step before applying adhesive. A little lower down the page, we provide specific instructions on how to get the teak ready to be glued.

Reviews of the Best Glue for Teak Wood

1. A WoodWeld Epoxy Syringe from J-B Weld

We suggest using the J-B Weld WoodWeld Epoxy Syringe for any jobs or repairs using teak wood that are on a smaller scale. It forms strong connections with all varieties of wood and does not seem to have any adverse effects on old teak wood.

This glue will produce a connection that is even stronger than the wood itself, making it ideal for use in the restoration of teak furniture.

Because of the tan tint that results from the curing process of WoodWeld epoxy, glue seams and repairs made with it are less noticeable, so they do not take away from the natural beauty of the wood.

Because it has a tensile strength of 1800 PSI, which is sufficient to hold together huge pieces of wood with just a tiny quantity of epoxy, it may be used in a variety of applications.

Because of the straightforward construction, you may dispense an equal amount of epoxy and hardener with only one swift press. You have everything you need to glue teak, including a mixing tray and a stirrer, at your disposal.

You don’t have to use all of your glue at once since the cap may be used to reseal itself, which is a really convenient feature.

The J-B Weld WoodWeld epoxy glue dries and sets in a relatively short amount of time, in contrast to the majority of other epoxy kinds of glue that you may use on teak. It just takes six minutes for the glue to become secure, and it only takes three hours for it to cure, which is really outstanding for a two-part epoxy.

We have had a lot of success with this method when applied to teak wood, and the seams have remained strong for many years.

2. G/Flex Epoxy from the WEST SYSTEM

The WEST SYSTEM G/Flex Epoxy is the superior adhesive for use with teak wood. It is completely risk-free to use on pricey teak furniture and is a tried-and-true glue for teak boats.

Because it is intended to be used in structural joints that must be able to withstand stress and expansion without breaking, you can be certain that it is an exceptionally strong glue.

G/Flex Epoxy is an excellent choice for bonding to older teak and antique wood since it has a strong reputation for adhering to challenging kinds of wood with greasy surfaces.

Even though the surface has to be cleaned with acetone before you can use it, you’ll discover that it adheres really nicely without requiring much in the way of effort.

If you mix the two components of the epoxy together at a ratio of 1:1, you will have around 45 minutes of working time before it begins to set. It takes less than ten hours for the glue to completely harden and reach its maximum tensile strength of 3,340 pounds per square inch.

If you require glue for outdoor furniture made of teak, then the first thing I would suggest to everyone is WEST SYSTEM G/Flex Epoxy. It binds very effectively and produces a joint that is impossible to break and can withstand the test of time when it is exposed to the environment.

3. Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue

Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue is an Advanced Proprietary Polymer that promises to be the world’s first one-part wood glue that can be cleaned off with water. It also claims to be waterproof.

You may be confused about how glue that is watertight can continue to be watertight if it can be washed with water. The answer is that you can only remove it with water before it hardens, at which point it cannot be removed and will be permanent.

Because it is one of the most popular wood glues used by experts, there are a lot of people testing it and writing evaluations of it. Titebond III is the only form of glue that the vast majority of individuals who use it on a teak wood indicate works perfectly and is the only glue they use on teak.

Before applying the stain or finish, it is essential to thoroughly clean the wood by wiping it down with acetone or another equivalent solvent.

Because of its high tensile strength of 4,000 PSI, it is suitable for use in certain weight-bearing joints. Developed specifically for use in both the interior and exterior joints of a structure, once it has hardened it is completely watertight and forms a very strong adhesive connection to the teak.

The fact that the formula is non-toxic, solvent-free, and authorized by the FDA makes it appropriate for usage in enclosed spaces.

Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue is the product that we go for when working on big teak wood projects or joins that are less obvious to the eye. It is more affordable than other wood adhesives, and it may be purchased in bigger quantities than conventional epoxies can often be purchased in.

The early results that Adhesive Lab has gotten from utilizing this glue are excellent.

4. Resorcinol Kit for Aerodux Resorcinol

The two-component glue known as Aerodux Resorcinol Resin has been used by generations of woodworkers and boat builders before the current one.

Even though it has been mostly superseded by more technologically sophisticated epoxies and other types of specialized wood glues, we still consider it to be one of the most effective glues for teak wood.

Because it has great resistance to UV radiation and can withstand extended periods of immersion in water (including saltwater), it is often used in the building of airplanes and boats because of its excellent reliability in these applications.

Because it does not expand, it is not appropriate for use in situations where gaps need to be filled because of its extremely strong adhesive properties. It is one of the finest teak wood glues for close contact, which refers to situations in which the surfaces being glued together fit extremely snugly against one another.

In most cases, the normal mix ratio for Aerodux Resorcinol is 1:5. (5 parts liquid phenol-resorcinol resin adhesive to 1 part powder hardener). It will be completely cured in about 8 hours and has a tensile strength value of around 1400 pounds per square inch (psi).

The connection that is created using this glue, much like the bonds that were created using the other glues that were discussed in this tutorial, will be stronger than the wood itself.

Others believe that epoxy resins have a far wider range of applications than resorcinol does, despite the fact that the former is often considered to be the more effective adhesive for teak.

Before applying glue on the teak, you should always prepare the wood by cleaning it with acetone and sandpaper beforehand. This is a must.

Why is epoxy the most appropriate adhesive for teak?

It might be challenging to locate a glue that is compatible with teak wood due to the oily quality of the wood. After consulting with industry professionals that specialize in the construction of boats, I can affirm to you that epoxy remains the most effective glue for teak. The following is a list of the advantages of applying epoxy on teak wood:

• Joints both inside and outside the building are compatible (indoors and outdoors)
• Absolutely impervious to water
• Temperatures range from –250 to 175 degrees Celsius (–418 to 347 degrees Fahrenheit).
• High tensile strength of between 3,000 and 8,000 pounds per square inch
• Will form bonds with the majority of other surfaces
• Has been shown to be effective on teak.

How should teak wood be prepared prior to the application of glue?

Before beginning to glue teak wood, it is essential to first remove any natural oils that may be present on the surface of the wood. This is one of the most vital processes.

To remove any oils or prior adhesive residues from the surface of the teak, you may use acetone or denatured alcohol to clean the surface of the teak. This is really vital, but be careful not to apply too much of it since the wood could soak up the excess if you do.

After you have finished cleaning the teak surface, you will need to wait until the solvent has completely evaporated before adding any adhesive. This should be done in an area that has enough ventilation and typically takes a couple of minutes to complete.

If you are utilizing a premix, this is the time to have the application equipment ready, or you may mix your two-part epoxy at this period.

After the solvent has been removed and the area has been thoroughly cleaned, you should remove any debris that is loose and then get ready to apply the epoxy.

How to use epoxy to bond teak together

After following the instructions in the prior stage to prepare the wood, the glue should be put to the teak a few minutes later. Make sure that your two-part epoxy is completely combined and that it is mixed in the appropriate proportions.

Read the label to find out how long you have to apply the glue and make sure that you will have enough time to utilize all of the epoxies that you have mixed up by checking that you have enough time.

If you are applying the glue using a syringe applicator, you may go right into the wood in an even pattern. This is because the glue will be evenly distributed. You will need a brush if you are going to be mixing liquid epoxy in a container and you will be using liquid epoxy.

When applying epoxy on teak wood, foam brushes are superior than bristle brushes because of the more even covering they create.

First, apply a substantial amount of glue to the middle of the joint that you want to build, and then work your way out to the joint’s borders while ensuring that there is sufficient glue to cover the whole surface area.

If you are applying the glue using a foam brush, you will be able to manipulate it in the same way that you would if you were painting.

After the surface or surfaces have been coated with a substantial amount of adhesive, it is time to move objects into their appropriate places. Take your time with this since it is preferable to get it correct the first time around than having to attempt to adjust it afterward.

When you are satisfied with how the two parts have been linked together, you may next apply a pressure that is between medium and hard in order to remove any extra glue.

In order to prevent the glue from staining your excellent teak wood, remove it as soon as it squeezes out of the cracks and clean it away. Make use of a fresh cloth and, if necessary, a very tiny quantity of the solvent; however, take care not to get any of the solvent on the joint itself.

After you have adjusted the location of the object and determined the appropriate amount of pressure to apply, you will need to wait for the glue to dry and harden.

When working with teak more than any other kind of wood, it is essential to avoid applying an excessive amount of pressure to the joint. If you push with too much force, you will diminish the quantity of glue that is sandwiched between the spaces, and since epoxy expands somewhat as it hardens, there is a chance that the wood may be damaged.

When working with teak wood and epoxy, adjustable clamps are a very helpful tool since they are perfect for the purposes of exerting pressure and holding objects in situ. Adjustable clamps are ideal for both of these purposes.

The majority of epoxy will begin to harden anywhere between five minutes to an hour, but the whole curing process may take up to seventy-two hours. Although this is a long procedure, the rewards are well worth the wait.

Questions That Are Typically Asked

What kind of wood is teak?

The hardwood of the teak kind is obtained by cutting down trees of the Tectona grandis species, which are indigenous to southern Asia. It is a highly strong and long-lasting wood that has a grain that is quite close together and is very dense. It is even more durable than mahogany.

Teak has an extremely long lifetime due to the high concentration of natural oils that it contains; as a result, it can withstand being exposed to the elements for a very long time. Because of this, teak has emerged as one of the most sought-after woods for use in the production of garden furniture.

These oils have the potential to leak to the surface over time, which might cause some glues to lose their adhesiveness.

Is gluing possible with teak wood?

The fact that teak is a very oily wood is the sole thing that differentiates it from other types of timber in terms of its ability to be glued. Because glue does not adhere well to greasy surfaces, it is essential to first clean the area with acetone and then roughen it up with sandpaper before applying the glue.

You’ll have no trouble adhering any form of teak wood to another surface if you follow this method and use the right kind of adhesive.

How can cracked teak wood be repaired?

You have two alternatives available to you here, depending on the kind of damage that needs fixing: To repair the fractured wood, you may either use putty or filler, or you can use epoxy or a similar resin to glue it back together.

Acetone should be used to clean the region, and then medium-grit sandpaper should be used to roughen the surface. To keep the wood in place while the glue is setting and curing, you may either use clamps or provide adequate pressure.

Does Epoxy work on teak?

As long as the surface you want to attach the epoxy to is clear of oil, epoxy is one of the adhesives that works best when applied to teak wood. For degreasing the oil, you should use acetone and a clean cloth, and before applying the oil, you should make sure that the solvent has completely evaporated.

Epoxy has been used on teak by our company for the last 15 years, and in that time, we have found that nothing else works as well.

Is wood filler OK for use on the teak?

Teak furniture that has been damaged may sometimes be repaired with wood fillers, which can also help preserve teak that has cracks or has aged. The tensile strength of wood filler is often lower than that of a two-part epoxy resin, but it is still capable of joining two pieces of wood together.

Before applying the filler, you should first use a solvent to remove any natural oils from the surface of the wood. This will provide the best possible results.

Is it possible to use Gorilla Glue on teak wood?

Although it is possible to put Gorilla Glue on teak, we do not advocate doing so. It has never really gotten a decent bind to oily woods, in spite of the fact that it becomes more rigid when it is exposed to moisture, as our research has shown.

If you are not cautious, this may also cause harm to teak furniture due to the fact that it has a tendency to expand as it is set. When it comes to teak, epoxy or Titebond III is the superior option for an adhesive since it is both safer and more effective.

What kind of adhesive works best for teak decking?

Most professionals in the trades use epoxy to adhere teak decking, but resorcinol is an alternative that is somewhat more costly but is an option that should be considered if funds are available.

Before beginning work with teak or any other kind of oily wood, it is very necessary to remove any surface oils from the wood using a solvent such as acetone. If you don’t do this, you run the chance of having a weak joint in a few years’ time, which will need you to have it replaced.

We really hope that you found our advice on the best glue for teak wood to be helpful for your own project, and if you did, please don’t hesitate to share your findings with us.