Frequently asked questions

UV activated glue is a type of adhesive that requires a photo-chemical reaction for curing. 

Exposure to the ultraviolet rays changes the molecular structure of the glue, allowing it to cross-link and produce a more solid structure. This solid molecular structure creates a strong, immediate bond, ensuring your object is firmly fixed in place.

Fix & Flash utilises UV rays to overcome the activation energy needed to create a strong molecular structure which gives you a strong, adhesive bond. This process takes just 15 seconds! 

For traditional glues to create a firm bond, they must dry naturally which can require a longer period of time or exposure to heat to reduce the drying time. 

Plus, with traditional glues, you do not have as much flexibility to position and re-position your object. With Fix & Flash, you can apply the glue but only set your object in place once you’re happy it’s in the perfect position.

Bostik Fix & Flash is sold in-store and online. You can buy our UV activated glue on Amazon and in-store at a number of major retailer. See our list of stockists.

Fix & Flash can be used on 99.9% of materials including wood, ceramic, glass, plastic, and more.

Fix & Flash UV activated glue is also water resistant and can resist temperatures from as low as -20 degrees Celsius and up to 80 degrees Celsius.

Before applying glue, ensure that all surfaces are of sound nature and clean, dry and free from dust, grease or any other contamination.

Rinse your fingers immediately with plenty of warm soapy water and do not pull on the skin that has been glued. If glue remains after using warm soapy water, it will often de-bond within a couple of days due to general wear and tear and the natural oils in the skin. If skin irritation occurs, consult a doctor.

The shelf life of adhesives varies from product to product, but typically ranges between one and two years from the date of manufacture when unopened and stored correctly in dry conditions - usually between +5°C and +25°C. Once opened, the life of the product will be more limited – this is dictated by variables including the type of adhesive, how it is stored, and how much adhesive is left unused. For more information, refer to the product’s Technical Data Sheet.

A super glue liquid has a low viscosity, meaning the liquid flows easily. This type of formula is great for filling horizontal surface cracks and fractures where the adhesive can flow into the cracks. We have three types available: Super Glue Liquid, Super Glue Easy Flow and Fix & Glue Liquid. 

A super glue gel has a higher viscosity, making it less 'runny' and less likely to drip. Gels are ideal for vertical application and for porous surfaces and tend to be easier to apply as they are harder to spill. We have two types available: Super Glue Non-Drip Gel and Fix & Glue Gel.

All Bostik super glues are non-flammable meaning they do not readily catch fire and do not burn easily.

All Bostik super glues are not waterproof and therefore we cannot recommend that they are safe for use in or around water.

Fix & Glue Gel and Fix & Glue Liquid are water-resistant meaning water has minimal effect on them, although we do not recommend using them in water-related projects.

Yes, all Bostik super glues are heat resistant up to +80°C.

Safety warning: Persistent heat may affect the strength and longevity of the bond and therefore should be avoided.

Yes, all Bostik super glues remain highly effective providing a strong, long-lasting bond in the cold, including temperatures as low as -20°C.

Wipe the affected area with an acetone dampened cloth or nail polish remover containing acetone.

Choosing the right glue for your surface depends on additional factors such as the environment you are working in, the drying time required, if the glue is to be applied in a vertical or horizontal application and more.

ALL PURPOSE ADHESIVES

Either our All Purpose clear glue or Power Repair strong multipurpose glue is a great all-rounder that bonds to many different surfaces. Both repair adhesives offer an ultra strong, long-lasting bond to materials including glass, wood, stone, metal, leather, rubber, plastics, ceramics, mirror and much more.

SUPER GLUES

Bostik has a selection of super glues within our repair range that again will bond to multiple surfaces, including wood, rubber, metal, ceramics, hard plastics, leather and much more. The super glues available are Fix & Glue Gel, Fix & Glue Liquid, Super Glue Liquid, Super Glue Non-Drip Gel and Super Glue Easy Flow.

The main difference between a multipurpose glue and a super glue is the drying time. A super glue bonds within seconds (almost instantly) and an all purpose adhesive bonds within minutes (typically within five minutes). Multipurpose glue is ideal for use on a wide range of substrates, including paper, whereas super glue is more suited for use on solid surfaces only.

Bostik All Purpose Glue is a clear, multipurpose adhesive suitable for most materials. It is a solvent-borne adhesive which produces a dried film which is virtually colourless and non-staining, making it great for everyday repairs and minor household DIY projects.

This All Purpose clear glue is quick-drying, clean and easy-to-use and provides an ultra strong, water-resistant bond with excellent ageing properties.

Bostik All Purpose adhesive's drying time is generally within 10 minutes, with the bond fully set in a few hours. However, type of surface the adhesive is bonding affects when the surfaces should be stuck together, and for how long they should be left to adhere. Please refer to our ‘How to use’ section for further information.

Bostik’s Super Glue Easy Flow, Super Glue Liquid and Super Glue Non-Drip Gel are all made of ethyl cyanoacrylate. Cyanoacrylate is an acrylic resin that cures almost instantly. The fast-setting, ultra strong and colourless properties of our super glue formulas make them perfect for day-to-day household uses in repair or DIY projects.

Bostik's contact glue is a solvent-based adhesive that achieves full strength immediately on contact, creating a clear, ultra strong, long-lasting bond.

Contact adhesive is mostly used to bond materials such as wood, glass, mirror, ceramic, leather, hard plastics and similar. The high strength formula makes it perfect for repairing items subject to harsh or extreme conditions, including constant flexing, due to their durability and resilience.

We recommend allowing for around 24 hours for Bostik Fabric Glue to completely cure, though it may be dry to the touch in less time.

Yes, Bostik Fabric Glue is machine-washable so is perfect for clothing repairs and can withstand everyday wear and tear.

Absolutely. Bostik Fabric Glue provides a strong, flexible bond that prevents fraying.

Bostik Fabric Glue forms a permanent bond by adhering to the fibres of the fabric.

You should only use Bostik Leather Repair glue to repair your damaged leather or imitation leather. The unique formula of the adhesive provides important flexibility to ensure a long-lasting, strong, water-resistant bond so that your repair remains intact for years to come.

Super glues do not provide the necessary flexibility that leather requires for an effective repair.

• Bostik Handy Hot Melt Glue Gun operates between +175°C to +200°C.
• Bostik DIY Hot Melt Glue Gun operates between +175°C to +200°C. 
• Bostik Craft Cool Melt Glue Gun operates between +125°C to +135°C.

Yes - adhesive from a glue gun is waterproof. It is extremely water resistant and can deal with varying temperatures, other solvents and even eroding, making it a long-lasting, ultra strong adhesive.

If you haven't used all of the glue stick that you inserted into the glue gun, do not try to remove it. Removing the glue stick could damage the internal components of the gun - regardless if the adhesive is runny or hard.

Simply leave the glue stick in the glue gun until you use it again. Surplus glue stick may be trimmed off using a sharp knife.

When the glue stick is almost gone, you can insert another stick and continue to use the glue gun as normal.

The fumes that glue guns can release are very rarely toxic but can sometimes be irritating for those who suffer from respiratory problems. Take care when using the glue guns as like most organic fumes, there is a possibility they could ignite depending on the environment they are used in.

A glue gun’s lifespan can vary depending on its use. Sometimes, a glue gun can stop working due to a glue stick being jammed or stuck in the gun, causing a blockage in the nozzle. Ensure you are always using the right glue sticks for your glue gun to avoid this problem.

The Bostik Handy Hot Melt Glue Gun and DIY Hot Melt Glue Gun operates at a high temperature and is great for providing an ultra strong, long-lasting bond for challenging materials such as polypropylene, plastics, ABS, acrylics and even metals. 

The Bostik Craft Cool Melt Glue Gun operates at a lower temperature and is commonly used for bonding heat-sensitive materials such as styro-foam, ribbon and polystyrene, which a hot glue gun could melt. Plus, with being cooler, they can be safer to use, which is great for younger crafters or in school environments.

No - using the wrong glue sticks could block and damage your Bostik glue gun. We have three variations of glue gun, Handy Hot Melt Glue Gun, DIY Hot Melt Glue Gun and Craft Cool Melt Glue Gun and each of our glue guns have specific glue sticks that are available. 

Bostik glue gun sticks are sold as individual packs of 14 Hot Melt Glue Sticks or 26 Cool Melt Glue Sticks.

The upper compartment of the Bostik Breathe dehumidifier is made from 60% plastic and 40% scallop shells powder. The lower compartment is made of 99% recycled plastic and 1% scallop shells powder. The unit is supplied in a recycled cardboard box.

The Bostik Breathe dehumidifier refills are made from calcium chloride.

Bostik Breathe moisture absorber works by absorbing water molecules in damp air as moisture passes through the device.

Bostik Breathe is a dual tablet system providing up to 33% more absorption than the market average.

With the Bostik Breathe dehumidifier, one housing unit will cover an area of up to 25m². Our moisture absorber is suitable for all interior spaces including bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, wardrobes, and cupboards.

It is recommended to use a moisture absorber when experiencing effects of excess moisture in the home, including condensation, black mould and mildew, as well as peeling, cracking, or blistering on interior surfaces.

Bostik Breathe is a reusable dehumidifier and will function effectively for years when regularly replaced with dehumidifier refill tablets. Refills last up to 4 months depending on the humidity levels in the area.

No - Bostik Breathe is a non-electric dehumidifier consisting of a dye-free, fragrance-free formula that uses only the essentials to remove moisture from the home.

Buy Blu Tack® online through our Amazon brand store or via any major retailer. See our list of stockists

Blu Tack® was originally white but consumer research at the time showed concerns that children may mistake it for chewing gum, so blue colouring was added, giving it its household name.

Bostik Blu Tack® is available in four colours: original blue, pink, white and grey.

0.5 grams of Blu Tack® will hold an approximate 105 gram load, but Bostik Blu Tack® is not designed to hold heavy objects.

Blu Tack® performs best on non-porous surfaces e.g. painted surfaces, glass, metal etc. Do not use on recently decorated surfaces or absorbent, silk-screen printed or hand stencilled wallpaper.

Blu Tack® sometimes gets dropped and pressed into the carpet. You can easily remove it by firstly, removing as much as possible by hand. Then, grab an additional piece of Blu Tack® and press it into the Blu Tack® in the carpet and pull it away to remove as much as possible.

If there are remaining pieces, wrap parcel tape - sticky side outwards - around your knuckles and knead into the affected area. Finally, use a fine-tooth comb to remove the last little bits!

Watch video for how to remove Blu Tack® from carpet

On some surfaces, after a long period of time, Blu Tack® can leave a slight oily mark. This can be removed using removers like citrus oils and lighter fuel but as per the guidance of the suppliers. Before using these products, we recommend you test on a small inconspicuous area.

Watch video for how to remove Blu Tack® stains

Our grey adhesive tack is often referred to as DIY Blu Tack® as it is perfect for use within the home, garage or workspace. It’s great for temporary repairs and quick fixes.

Blu Tack® Grey seamlessly blends into many household appliances, electrical devices, cables and car dashboards that have a dark surface colour.

All colour variations of Bostik Blu Tack® are made using the same tried and tested formula. Blu Tack® White offers discreet application on white or light surfaces, which is great if you want the adhesive tack to go unnoticed.

Bostik Blu Glu stick is a great way to show you where you've applied your glue, but it actually dries totally clear!

Bostik Blu Glu stick is acid-free so it is safe to use with your photos.

Bostik Glu Dots are acid and lignin-free and are non-toxic so they will not stain or leave a sticky residue behind when applied to fabric, walls or photos.

Bostik Glu Dots are pressure-sensitive, double-sided, adhesive dots available in a removable or permanent formula.

Our Glu Dots can stick to almost anything including paper, wood, plastic, foam, metal, glass and painted surfaces. They're perfect for arts and crafts projects such as scrapbooking, sticking up posters to walls, card making, collages and model making at home, the office or in schools.

Bostik Tape Discs are most commonly used for parcel and gift wrapping, sealing bags and envelopes, securing tags and bows, and much more.

As they're acid and lignin-free, we also like to use these handy sticky discs in scrapbooking to secure photos in place without staining your favourite snapshots.

You can even use them for re-sealing opened food packages to ensure your contents stay fresh and you avoid accidental spills.

Yes - Bostik Tape Discs are recyclable as they are made from paper. When used in gift wrapping, be sure to choose recyclable gift wrap so once the present has been opened, all of the paper can easily be recycled.

Also, the sheets that our sticky circles are supplied on are made of polyester which can be disposed with your plastic waste recycling.

Yes - you can use our double sided sticky pads for mirrors. Bostik Foam Pads are acid and lignin-free meaning they will not mark or stain a mirrored surface.

Yes - Bostik PVA white Glu applies white from the bottle and once dry, is clear.

PVA white Glu is an essential, multipurpose glue, commonly used in arts and craft projects. It is also often referred to as white glue or white craft glue as it applies white and dries clear.

Bostik supplies its PVA craft glue in an easy-to-use, squeezable bottle so it's great for use by both children and adults for scrapbooking, card making, school art projects, in poster creation and more!

We also offer an EVO-STIK PVA Glue for larger DIY projects. Browse EVO-STIK PVA Glue.

Bostik PVA white Glu will often dry in a matter of minutes. However, we recommend waiting 12 hours when applied to paper or card for the product to fully cure. For other materials such as wood, we recommend waiting 24 hours for full cure.

Bostik Glitter Glue typically dries within 30 minutes when applied as a thin layer.

However, due to the water content within the glitter glue, when applied in thick layers the drying time can increase and the adhesive will reach full bond in 24 hours after application. But trust us - it's worth the wait!

Glitter glue pens allow you to easily and neatly add sparkle to your pages or art projects. You can use the glue to create glitter borders in scrapbooks, outline key paragraphs in diaries, jazz up birthday balloons and decorate a photo frame or pencil case and so much more! For more inspiration, watch our video for Glitter Glue Craft Ideas.

Bostik Glitter Glue Pens can be used on paper, cardboard, wood, felt and more.

Fast Tak Permanent spray glue is a permanent contact adhesive in an aerosol format. It applies as a mist and is suitable for bonding a wide variety of materials including paper, card, foam, leather, rubber, plastic, metal, wood, stone and even concrete.

Simple and easy-to-use in a few seconds, our Fast Tak Permanent caters to all kinds of craft and DIY needs, whether that’s craft creations, furniture repairs, clothing repairs and more.

Simply shake to wake, spray from 15 to 20 cm, allow to dry for a few seconds, line up your surfaces and press together to stick.

Bostik Fast Tak Permanent spray adhesive can be dissolved by dabbing the adhesive with a clean, dampened cloth of white spirit.

Most solvent-based adhesives are flammable. When using Fast Tak always work in a ventilated area and do not breathe in vapours. Avoid exposing the product to any ignition sources. Do not smoke when working with adhesives.

Bostik Sticky Tape offers 50m of adhesive tape at 24mm in width.

Fun Fact: Sticky Tape will go the length of an Olympic swimming pool, two tennis courts, the Arc de Triomphe in Paris or the length of 16 Siberian tigers in a line!

If Sticky Tape has been stuck onto a hard surface for a long period of time, when you come to remove it, there may be some glue residue left behind. However, you can easily remove sticky tape residue from glass, plastic, clothing and more.

First, try to remove as much of the sticky residue with your fingers. Then you can use hot water with a few drops of detergent or canola or olive oil to soften any stubborn adhesive. You can then gently scrape away the residue with a plastic scraper or your fingers.

Alternative methods can be heating the glue residue with a hairdryer. The hot air will help loosen the adhesive and you can then scrape to remove.