What Kind Of Glue To Use On Air Dry Clay?

Air dry clay, also known as modeling clay, is a light and versatile material used by artists, crafters, educators, and hobbyists. It is made of natural ingredients like clay and cellulose and comes in a variety of colors and finishes. The clay can be shaped by hand without the need for any special tools or firing. Once molded, air dry clay will harden naturally as the water evaporates. This makes it popular for creating decorative objects, jewelry, miniature figurines, ornaments, and more.

Air dry clay is affordable, accessible, and easy to work with. However, many users run into challenges when trying to glue hardened pieces together or adhere embellishments onto their creation. The goal of this article is to explore the best glues to use for bonding and finishing air dry clay artworks and crafts.

Properties of Air Dry Clay

Air dry clay, also known as self-hardening clay, is a modeling material that cures naturally through evaporation without the need for heat from an oven or kiln. It is water-based, often made from materials like cellulose, glue, and minerals. As the water evaporates from the clay over the course of 24-72 hours, the clay particles bond together to harden the finished piece.

The key property of air dry clay that makes it appealing to crafters and modelers is that it air dries at room temperature. This allows creations to set and cure without requiring any special equipment or infrastructure. It is a simple, accessible material that begins soft and malleable, making it easy to sculpt details. Over time, the finished piece will harden as the moisture leaves the clay, creating a permanent structure.

Air dry clay offers versatility, allowing crafters to shape it however they’d like. It can be used for arts and crafts, DIY projects, prototyping, decorations, jewelry making, and more. Many varieties are non-toxic when dry. The finished pieces will be solid and durable yet still lightweight and easy to hang or display.

Challenges of Gluing Air Dry Clay

Gluing air dry clay can be tricky for several reasons. Because air dry clay is porous, it absorbs moisture easily. This can make some types of glue take longer to dry or result in a weaker bond. The drying time of the clay and glue may not match up, which can cause problems down the road if the bond fails.

Here are some of the key challenges when gluing air dry clay:

• Delayed drying time – When moisture is absorbed into porous clay, it slows down the cure time of many glues. This delay can result in pieces moving or coming apart before the glue fully dries.
• Weak adhesion – If the glue does not fully penetrate the clay or dries at inconsistent rates, the result can be a weak bond between pieces that breaks apart over time.
• Contraction cracks – As air dry clay dries, it shrinks slightly. This shrinkage can cause the glue joints to crack and fail.
• Weight issues – Heavy or complex clay structures can sometimes cause glued joints to fail under their own weight if the glue bond is imperfect.
• Environmental factors – Humidity and temperature can impact drying times for both the clay and the glue, potentially throwing off the ideal timing of the bond.

Choosing the right glue for air dry clay and allowing for proper drying and curing is key to creating lasting bonds between clay pieces. The porousness and drying contraction of clay presents some unique challenges that must be accounted for.

White Glue

White glue, also known as PVA glue, Elmer’s glue, or school glue, is a common household adhesive and one of the most readily accessible options for gluing air dry clay projects. The main pros of using white glue are:

• Widely available and inexpensive
• Easy to apply and clean up
• Dries clear with a smooth finish
• Creates a tight bond when dry

Some of the notable cons of white glue include:

• Takes a long time to dry, especially with thicker layers
• Not water resistant once dry
• Can yellow or become brittle over time
• May not adhere well to ceramics or polymer clay

When using white glue for air dry clay, it’s best to apply thin, even coats to both surfaces and press pieces together firmly. Allow extensive drying time before handling. While not ideal for every situation, white glue can work for basic clay crafts and decorative projects.

Wood Glue

Wood glue, also known as carpenter’s glue, is a popular option for gluing air dry clay. Some of the pros of using wood glue include:

• It creates a strong bond between clay pieces.
• It dries clear and is less likely to leave stain marks.
• It’s inexpensive and accessible from most hardware stores.

However, wood glue does have some drawbacks when used with air dry clay:

• It has a longer drying time than other glues, typically taking 24 hours to fully cure.
• The bond can become brittle over time, leading to a higher chance of pieces breaking apart.
• Too much glue oozing out can leave shiny spots on the clay surface as it dries.

Overall, wood glue is a good option for assembling simple clay pieces that won’t undergo a lot of handling or stress. But for something more durable, a different adhesive may be preferable.

Super Glue

Super glue, also known as cyanoacrylate glue, is a fast-drying adhesive that is commonly used for bonding plastic, rubber, metal, wood, and other materials. It has some advantages as well as disadvantages when used with air dry clay:

Pros:

• Dries extremely fast, usually in under a minute
• Forms very strong, rigid bonds between clay pieces
• A small amount can firmly join large sections
• Relatively inexpensive and readily available

Cons:

• Can leave cloudy or white marks on porous clay surfaces
• Brittle bonds can crack if clay pieces are stressed
• Does not allow much working time to reposition pieces
• Fumes can be strong and irritating
• Can stick to skin instantly, requiring care when applying

Overall, super glue is a very effective option for rapidly bonding air dry clay components. However, the quick dry time means precision is required when joining pieces to avoid fingerprints and alignment issues. The rigid bonds may need reinforcement if subject to stress. Test on scrap clay first, as super glue can occasionally alter surface color or texture.

Epoxy

Epoxy is a two-part adhesive that offers an extremely strong and durable bond when fully cured. Some of the key pros and cons of using epoxy with air dry clay include:

Pros:

• Creates an incredibly strong, permanent bond that can withstand heavy use or weight.
• Resists temperature changes, stresses, and impact very well without cracking or loosening.
• Works equally well on porous and non-porous surfaces like metal or plastic.
• Fills gaps effectively for a seamless joint.
• Cures smooth and transparent without discoloring.

Cons:

• Setting time is slow, usually 24-48 hours for a full cure.
• Applying epoxy can be messy and needs to be mixed precisely.
• Gives off VOCs and fumes during curing that require ventilation.
• Difficult or impossible to break the bond if adjusting joints is needed.
• Epoxy and hardener can irritate skin and eyes, so gloves and eye protection are recommended.

Overall, epoxy creates an incredibly strong permanent bond for air dry clay pieces. However the long cure time, difficult workability, and toxicity concerns make it less ideal for basic clay crafts. Epoxy is best saved for clay applications that demand the strongest possible adhesion and durability.

Acrylic Medium

Acrylic medium is a popular choice for gluing air dry clay pieces. It is water-based, non-toxic, and dries clear. Here are some of the pros and cons of using acrylic medium with air dry clay:

Pros:

• Dries transparent so it doesn’t affect the look of the clay
• Creates a strong, flexible bond between clay pieces
• Water-soluble while wet, making it easy to smooth out and clean up
• Available in gloss, matte, and textured finishes
• Non-toxic and low odor

Cons:

• Can take a while to fully cure and reach maximum strength
• Not ideal for pieces that will endure frequent handling or friction
• Clay may become rubbery or sticky if too much medium is applied
• Doesn’t fill larger gaps as well as epoxy or wood glue

Overall, acrylic medium is a good choice for gluing air dry clay if you don’t require an instant bond. The flexibility and transparent drying make it well-suited for clay art projects. Just be careful not to use too much or the clay surface may remain tacky.

Best Glue Recommendations

When choosing the best glue for air dry clay projects, it depends on the specifics of what you’re making and how the pieces will be used. Here are some top recommendations for different situations:

For clay jewelry or small decorations: Use super glue or clear drying glues like Mod Podge. Super glue dries quickly and makes a strong bond for lightweight pieces. Mod Podge forms a smooth, clear bond that dries flexible.

For multi-piece sculptures or models: White glue forms a solid bond and dries clear. It allows you time to reposition pieces before the glue dries completely. Wood glue also creates a strong bond and can fill small gaps if your clay pieces don’t fit perfectly.

For clay pieces that will hold weight: Epoxy glues form the strongest bond. Two-part epoxies are best for load-bearing pieces or sculptures that will be handled a lot and need to remain durable.

For coloring or finishing clay: Acrylic mediums can add color while sealing and strengthening clay. They help smooth sculptures and give finishing coats.

Always test glues on scrap clay first. Let pieces dry completely before using. With proper glue selection and application, you can create lasting and durable clay projects.

Conclusion

When choosing the right glue for air dry clay projects, it’s important to consider the properties of the clay as well as the characteristics of the different types of glue. Air dry clay is porous and brittle when dry, so it requires an adhesive that can penetrate into the material and maintain flexibility when cured.

Based on the analysis above, the best glues for use with air dry clay are white glue, wood glue, and acrylic medium. White glue provides a strong bond and dries clear while remaining flexible. Wood glue offers similar benefits and is ideal for clay pieces that will be handled often. Acrylic mediums are great multi-purpose adhesives that penetrate well and can also act as a sealer.

In contrast, super glue and epoxy tend to create a rigid, inflexible bond that can lead to cracking over time. For most air dry clay projects, it’s best to avoid cyanoacrylate glues.

No matter which adhesive you choose, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for best results. Test the glue on a clay sample first and allow time for thorough drying before handling finished pieces.