If you are looking for glue for small repairs, building projects, and arts and crafts, something you may want to consider is UV glue. UV glue is a very special kind of glue, and how it works is something we will cover in greater detail later on. Whatever the case may be, you obviously want the best of the best, and that’s what we are here to help you find right now.
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- High bond strength
- Water resistant
- Temperature resistant
- All in one kit
- Very easy to use
- Cost effective
- Very durable bond
- Can be painted and sanded
- UV light is included
- Perfect for phone repairs
- Fills in fine scratches
- Cures very quickly with UV
- Heat and moisture resistant
- Can be sanded and painted
- Very fast curing
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
UV Glue Loctite 34931 Light Cure Adhesive
The best type of UV glue out there is acrylic, which is true for several reasons, as we will explain in the section below. In terms of our overall number one rated pick for the best UV glue is Loctite 34931 Light Cure Adhesive.
- Made in the USA
- Water resistant
- Dries clear
- Cures in seconds
- Ideal for small repairs
There are several reasons why we think that Loctite 34931 Light Cure Adhesive is the best UV glue around, with one of those reasons being that with the right UV lamp, this product cures within seconds, for a tough and long lasting bond.
What is nice is that Loctite 34931 Light Cure Adhesive dries totally clear, so you cannot see it, and it also dries very hard, not tacky like many other UV glues out there. This product is water resistant when cured, as well as very resistant to heat as well, although it is not 100% waterproof.
Keep in mind that Loctite 34931 Light Cure Adhesive can bond glass to metal, plastic to metal, and glass to glass, but it cannot bond metal to metal, which is a bit of a drawback. Other than that, we think that this is a fantastic product to consider.
UV Glue Buying Guide
Before you go out and start buying any old UV glue, there are some important things that you should be aware of.
What is UV Glue and How does it Work
Are you short on time or just want a quick answer?
Check out our list below for a summary of our results.
- UV Glue Loctite 34931 Light Cure Adhesive (Our Overall #1 Pick)
- GUGUYeah UV Light Glue Kit
- Solarez UV Dual Cure
- Limino Store UV Resin
- RapidFix UV Liquid Plastic Adhesive
- Xfactor Hydro LOCA UV Glue
- Damn Good UV Glue
First of all, UV glue is something quite special, something you may have never heard of before. Well, this is a special type of glue that is based off of either an epoxy resin formula or an acrylic formula, with acrylic usually being the better option. In essence, when it cures, this glue forms a type of hard and permanent plastic that is very hard to remove.
However, this still doesn’t explain where the UV light comes into play. When this type of glue is exposed to UV light, or in other words, UV wavelengths, it acts as a catalyst for a photochemical reaction (a reaction that happens due to UV light), which causes the acrylic or epoxy polymers to harden, and nearly instantly at that. Although you do require a special UV light to use this glue, it does qualify as one of the strongest types out there.
Types of UV Glue
What we mentioned above is that there are two main types of UV glue, those made with an epoxy based resin, and those made with acrylic. So, what’s the difference and what is each one ideal for?
Epoxy Based Resin
First off, we have the epoxy based resin, which does have many desirable features. This stuff cures within seconds when exposed to UV light. This type of glue adheres well to most plastics, glass, and metals. What is nice is that it can cure up to 15 mm deep, which is nice for gap filling and crack repairs, but it does shrink by up to 15% when it cures.
This type of glue usually does have a strong odor, although it disappears once cured, and it usually dries clear and does not yellow over time. There is no post-cure required when using epoxy based resin UV glue. Finally, for shadowed areas, this glue often has secondary cure mechanisms, whether heat or moisture. That said, this type of UV glue is usually not overly resistant to weather and solvents.
Acrylic
The second type of UV glue is the acrylic variety, and it is often the preferred type. This type of UV glue features good adhesion to metal and glass, as well as certain types of plastic. What is beneficial about acrylic UV glue is that it barely shrinks as it cures, and it is very resistant to chemicals, heat, and water.
This is why it is preferred. That said, this type of glue may take up to two minutes to dry, it is often a bit yellow and may also yellow over time, and it may require some post-curing with heat for added durability.
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How to Use UV Glue
Using UV glue is actually very easy. Follow the steps as outlined below.
- Make sure that the area is clean. Wash and dry the area if necessary. It should be free of all dirt and totally dry.
- Apply the UV glue as instructed on the product.
- If filling a gap, just fill it, and if repairing something, make sure to hold the two pieces together.
- Once you have applied the glue, us the UV light pen to cure it.
For additional information on how to use UV glue the right way, take a look at the video which we have included here.
Safety Tips
- UV rays can be harmful to the skin and eyes. Therefore, wear sunglasses that have a high UV rating, and also wear long sleeves and gloves, both to keep the UV off of your skin and to keep the glue off of your skin as well.
- Always work in a well-ventilated area, as this type of glue can have very strong odors.
- Always make sure to never get any on your fingers, especially when using the UV light, because this glue can bond to your skin.
The Best UV Glue
The top best product [hide]
UV Glue Loctite 34931 Light Cure Adhesive
One thing you might like here is that this product dries totally clear, and it should not become discolored with age either, making it perfect for performing small repairs, but that said, it does also have the ability to fill fairly wide gaps.
The recommended amount of UV light to cure this product is 365nm, and when exposed to this level of UV radiation, the glue should cure in about 5 to 10 seconds.
The bond which this stuff forms is incredibly strong, and it features outstanding temperature and water resistant, as well as solvent resistance too. This product can bond glass to metal, plastic to metal, and glass to glass, but it cannot bond metal to metal.
- Water resistant
- Temperature resistant
- Very fast curing
- Good for small repairs and crafts
GUGUYeah UV Light Glue Kit
The light causes this glue to dry and cure within 5 to 10 seconds, so there is no clamping required. Moreover, this glue is water resistant, heat resistant, and solvent resistant too. Moreover, it can form a bond on most materials including but not limited to plastic, glass, wood, metal, fiber, fabric, acrylic, steel ceramic, and more. Let’s keep in mind that this formula is non-toxic and eco-friendly.
- Cures in seconds
- Bonds virtually all materials
- Great for small repairs
- Water resistant
Solarez UV Dual Cure
This product is designed for large-scale and professional use, such as for marine and automobile repairs, but is not intended for small jobs. It does not come with a precision applicator tip, so small repairs won’t go well. However, do keep in mind that Solarez UV Dual Cure can take up to five minutes to cure, which is not overly fast. However, it is super resistant to corrosion, temperature, water, UV light, and more.
- Dries clear
- Cures very dry
- Multiple curing methods
Limino Store UV Resin
Something you may like is that this product has no VOCs, and is self-levelling and self-degassing. Now, this stuff does have a strong smell, but it will disappear once cured.
What you may like is that this product is ideal for making resin molds, such as if you were making crafts. This product dries very hard and it won’t scratch, perfect for arts and crafts.
You can use a UV light to cure this glue, although it will also cure in sunlight. It will just take longer in the sun. That said, this product is not overly resistant to moisture, so it’s best not to get it wet. Finally, Limino Store UV Resin is very glossy, which you may or may not like.
- Fast curing
- Anti-stain
- Anti-scratch
- Heat resistant
RapidFix UV Liquid Plastic Adhesive
Right off the bat, what stands out here is that the actual UV light for curing does come included, a big bonus so you don’t have to buy it on the side. Whether you need to repair glass, plastic, or metal, this stuff can bond all of those materials.
This product can be used to fill gaps, cracks, and holes, as well as to reattach small pieces to each other. Using the UV light, this glue cures within seconds, and it forms quite a strong bond. It’s nice because you can sand, file, and paint this stuff once cured.
That said, although it is quite durable, you may not want to use it for outdoor purposes that will see a lot of sun, heat, and moisture.
- Cures in seconds
- Bonds plastic, metal, and glass
- Can be sanded and painted
Xfactor Hydro LOCA UV Glue
This glue is designed specifically for phone screen repair and nothing else. It is made with a very thin viscosity, so it can form a very thin layer between the screen and the digitizer underneath. Moreover, not only is this super low viscosity ideal in this sense, but also because it has the ability to fill in very fine scratches left behind after removing the old screen.
Moreover, Xfactor Hydro LOCA UV Glue is great at filling gaps, and moreover, it features excellent light transmission, so your phone won’t seem duller or darker than before. This product is pretty nice because it eliminates the mirror effect and the rainbow effect, it helps take care of poor contrast and low brightness, and it can even improve touch sensitivity.
- Low viscosity
- Great light transmission
- Fills fine scratches
Damn Good UV Glue
Damn Good UV Glue can be used to bond and repair plastic, metal, glass, wood, and a few other materials too. This product is also resistant to heat and moisture, although not waterproof.
- Great for gap filling
- Dries clear
- Can be sanded and painted
Conclusion
Although it may have some small drawbacks, in the grand scheme of things, Loctite 34931 Light Cure Adhesive is the best UV glue to go with. It is water and heat resistant, it’s perfect for repairs, it dries clear, and it cures fast.
