# How is Gorilla Glue still around? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 18, 2015, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-gorilla-glue-still-around/740782 "2015-12-18T16:28:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![UncleFred](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f0a364/32.png) [@UncleFred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleFred)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-gorilla-glue-still-around/740782/1 "2015-12-18T16:28:00Z")
Myself and people I know have never had good results with this stuff; - It expands and makes a mess - No matter how much you apply, it does stick initially but it always eventually gives way. How can a product like this still be around? Or are we just unlucky? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-gorilla-glue-still-around/740782/2 "2015-12-18T16:38:44Z")
It really is shite. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-gorilla-glue-still-around/740782/3 "2015-12-18T16:39:56Z")
I’ve had excellent results every time I used it. Wipe up any overspill instantly, then again a few minutes later when the expansion has started, and make sure to clamp the hell out of it. Clean, very strong bond. I’m sure I’ve got stuff that’s held for over a year as well - how long did it last in your experience? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-gorilla-glue-still-around/740782/4 "2015-12-18T16:41:00Z")
It’s a polyurethane glue. These are known to be messy to work with, but they have good holding power and water resistance. From the sound of your OP you are using it wrong. Glued pieces only need enough to cover the joined surfaces, and then need to be well clamped until cured. The glue joint will be stronger than most materials it joins at that point. It is not good for filling gaps and while it adheres well to wood it may not do as well with other materials, at least not without special preparation. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-gorilla-glue-still-around/740782/5 "2015-12-18T18:02:00Z")
Polyurethane glues also benefit from moistening the workpiece surface. But yeah, it’s not ordinary general-purpose glue and should only be used for certain applications. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-gorilla-glue-still-around/740782/6 "2015-12-18T18:13:35Z")
I have used it to laminate home made archery bows just to see if it will work. This requires very strong bonds because of the stresses involved. As long as I moisten the surfaces of the wood ahead of time I have had excellent results. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-gorilla-glue-still-around/740782/7 "2015-12-18T19:26:27Z")
The biggest problem I’ve had with it is that it has terrible shelf life. Once you open the bottle, the clock starts ticking and the chances are good that the next time you want to use it, it will have hardened into a polyurethane rock in the bottle. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-gorilla-glue-still-around/740782/8 "2015-12-18T20:01:29Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > Polyurethane glues also benefit from moistening the workpiece surface. > > But yeah, it’s not ordinary general-purpose glue and should only be used for certain applications. > [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I have used it to laminate home made archery bows just to see if it will work. This requires very strong bonds because of the stresses involved. As long as I moisten the surfaces of the wood ahead of time I have had excellent results. Are people _not_ wetting the surfaces? It’s right on the instructions that you have to do so. You’d think the smartest, hippest, people on the internet would RTFM. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-gorilla-glue-still-around/740782/9 "2015-12-18T20:16:59Z")
I’ve made large custom picture frames (several different wood moldings glued together lengthwise as well as the corner joints) with the stuff ten years ago that are still holding together without any assistance from mechanical fasteners like nails or screws, so I suspect it’s a whole lot of user error both in selection and execution. As \*\*friedo \*\*said, it’s not a general purpose household craft glue. When used appropriately and correctly, it’s an excellent adhesive. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-gorilla-glue-still-around/740782/10 "2015-12-18T20:53:48Z")
Not only that, you can smoke the stuff! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-gorilla-glue-still-around/740782/11 "2015-12-18T21:14:16Z")
If you’re not wetting the surfaces, wiping it as a cures and clamping the hell out of it you don’t have any business using gorilla glue for your application. It’s strong but requires fairly specific conditions for application. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-gorilla-glue-still-around/740782/12 "2015-12-18T22:06:38Z")
I love it for woodwork. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-gorilla-glue-still-around/740782/13 "2015-12-18T22:07:25Z")
How is Gorilla Glue still around? That stuff tastes terrible! ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-gorilla-glue-still-around/740782/14 "2015-12-18T22:13:56Z")
I read that is taste good to dogs and some poor dog ate some and had to go to an ER vet right away or he would had dies . The dog needed surgery , the glue has harden inside him was the shape of his inside . After I read about this I never brought any Gorilla Glue . ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-gorilla-glue-still-around/740782/15 "2015-12-18T23:13:59Z")
Well, it if can glue a gorilla, it should be able to glue a dog. Seriously though, there are plenty of things in a worksop that are harmful to pets. Glue just happens to be one of them. In my shop, the dogs are not allowed in, and paints and glues are stored well out of reach if one of the dogs did sneak in. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-gorilla-glue-still-around/740782/16 "2015-12-18T23:48:38Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > Are people _not_ wetting the surfaces? It’s right on the instructions that you have to do so. You’d think the smartest, hippest, people on the internet would RTFM. You forgot about the few total dipsticks. Some of whom even use Gorilla Glue for car repairs :eek:. Perhaps the OP is a member of that special minority of Dopers. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2015, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-gorilla-glue-still-around/740782/17 "2015-12-19T00:08:55Z")
Can’t speak for the glue but their duct tape is pretty good! ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2015, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-gorilla-glue-still-around/740782/18 "2015-12-19T01:03:11Z")
I’ve used it for glue laminations and about half of the other glue jobs on my [weird little boat](http://atomicshrimp.com/post/2010/01/17/Building-A-Boat-Page-11-Adding-A-Sailing-Rig). I’ve had all sorts of ups and downs with this vessel, but the qualities of polyurethane glue were not part of any of the problems - in fact near the bottom of the above linked page, there’s a bit about one of the components that broke under improper load - thing is, it was the timber that broke, not the glue joint. Mist or damp-wipe the surfaces, apply the thinnest of layers and clamp up good and tight, and it’s an amazing product. Deviate from those methods, and it doesn’t work. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2015, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-gorilla-glue-still-around/740782/19 "2015-12-19T01:13:04Z")
My husband loves the stuff. He has favorite products and that’s one of them. I’ve never used it, so I can’t comment for myself. ---
**Author:** ![neofishboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/neofishboy/32/444_2.png) [@neofishboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neofishboy)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2015, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-gorilla-glue-still-around/740782/20 "2015-12-19T01:20:41Z")
What, _you_ wanna be the one to tell the gorilla that you’re discontinuing his glue? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-gorilla-glue-still-around/740782.md?page=2)