Updated: October 1, 2024
When working with upholstery, the right adhesive is required. You need a strong, reliable glue to create a lasting bond, but you also need a glue that won’t damage the material. While many adhesives are not built for upholstery gluing, there are a large number that are. Unfortunately, trying to find the right one for your application can be a challenge.
As experts in the adhesive industry, we are sharing what glues to use for upholstery as well as some product recommendations for different upholstery adhesive glues.
What Kind of Glue is Best for Upholstery?
Depending on the type of upholstery work you are trying to do, it is important to understand that not every glue is designed to work universally. Knowing which kind of glue you will need for each application is crucial to get a professional-looking and long-lasting finished product. In general, there are a few different types of adhesives for upholstery applications.
Spray Upholstery Adhesives
First on the list are spray adhesives, which, true to their name, are an aerosol-based glue. They can work well with foam, wood, and fabric. They come in a variety of strengths, so make sure you have a good idea about what you may need.
Recommendations:
Camie 513 Fast Tack Upholstery Adhesive - The product is the perfect strength to work with foams and fabrics. It has a low VOC, so it is safer to use and has a fast tack for quick bonding.
ES60 EverStrong Adhesive - This is another good spray upholstery adhesive. It works with fabric and foam but has the added benefit of being water-resistant.
When you are done, it is advisable to clean the nozzle on the bottle before putting it into storage. An easy way to do this is pick up a little extra foam from your project and use it as a lightweight abrasive against the nozzle. This will protect the bottle from glue buildup.
Hot Glues for Upholstery
Another popular type of upholstery glue for is hot glue. Hot glue sticks are non-toxic and generally easy to apply. They come in a variety of types that primarily revolve around the temperature threshold. If too hot of a glue is used on certain substrates, they could damage them. If the glue is not hot enough, you may not get a good seal.
If you want to use hot glue as an anchoring tool, such as placing two pieces of wood together with glue and then cutting them so that they are the same shape, then you do not need to get the strongest bonding glue to see results. You will be separating the pieces eventually anyway. If your goal is to set a new pane of glass in an old window or cupboard opening, you will want to make sure that you use a high-quality, higher temperature glue, and a lot of it.
Recommendations:
Infinity Bond Crystal Clear Glue Sticks - Good hot glue sticks for upholstery, they can be used with fabric, foam, wood, paper, and more for a variety of applications. Unlike a product you might find at the craft store, these sticks also provide strong and lasting adhesion.
Surebonder 725 Hot Glue Sticks- A benefit to this product is that it can be used in both low-temperature and high-temperature glue guns. The low temperature is great for fabrics and foam while the high temperature can be used with wood and plastic.
Upholstery Glue Guns
Choosing a hot glue gun is nearly as important as choosing the right glue. For upholstery and woodwork, you want a glue gun with a high-power wattage and maneuverability.
Recommendations:
Ad Tech PRO 200 Glue Gun - This gun is an excellent choice for the sometimes heavy-duty work required in upholstering and sports a four finger trigger that makes using the gun more comfortable over long periods of time. It also has an adjustable tip and a wide variety of replacement nozzles so you can customize this 200-watt glue gun to suit any project.
Steinel TM 6000 Butane Glue Gun - If you prefer a cordless option, this gas-powered gun might be a better option. It heats up quickly (within three minutes) and uses a refillable cartridge that can easily be removed and filled with butane. Since it does not run on a corded electrical track, it is not reliable for projects longer than an hour and 40 minutes. But for a wireless glue gun, it is a force to be reckoned with.
Remember, hot glue guns are hot. So always be careful and never store it when the gun and glue sticks are hot. Make sure everything is cooled completely before you pack the gun and supplies away.
Spray Foam Adhesives for Upholstery
Spray foam adhesives come in a can similar to normal spray adhesives, but, the former is made of polyurethane foam that expands once applied. The most common uses are to plug up energy-wasting leaks on the outside of the home or as a “filler” for gaps around pipes.
Their primary drawback is the fact that once they are applied, they refuse to be unapplied. Always take care when using any form of adhesive, and make sure you are ready to apply before doing so to avoid costly mistakes.
These adhesives are nice (and unique) because they are insect-, water-, and mold-proof. If your upholstery application involves outdoor furniture with crevices that might be susceptible to bug infestation, it might be a good idea to reach for the foam adhesive and seal those up.
Fabric Glues for Upholstery
Perhaps as basic a glue solution as they come, fabric glue is a great type of upholstery glue for small, quick projects. If you have a seam that is splitting on a fabric chair, then pulling out the hot glue gun might be a bit overkill (unless you want to reupholster the whole thing, in which case, have at it!). A small application of extra-strength upholstery fabric glue is usually enough to get the job done.
Keep in mind that in comparison to other types of glue for upholstery, fabric glue is far inferior in terms of bonding ability and strength. If you are not seeing results with fabric glue, then it might be time to bring in the big guns — though at perhaps a lower strength or temperature.
How to Glue Upholstery
Now that you have a better idea of what type of upholstery glue to choose, you next need to know how to apply it properly. Different types of upholstery adhesives have different surface preparation requirements to get an optimal bond. You also need to follow the recommended safety procedures to reduce harmful side effects.
Upholstery Spray & Foam Adhesives
Spray adhesives can be highly toxic, especially in a closed-off room or small space. Make sure the work area is open or at least well-ventilated. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, but face masks and gloves are usually recommended because getting the material on your skin can be dangerous.
When you are prepped and ready to begin spraying, make sure the surface of whatever you are gluing is clean and free of debris, moisture, oil, or grease. The last thing you want is for your bond to be compromised because the adhesive was unable to make full contact.
While spraying, stand back about 6 to 8 inches away from the surface, so you avoid “puddling,” or creating too concentrated a spray area. The application should be even and not too close to the edges of your surface so the glue does not seep out during the bonding process.
Once your base surface is ready, you can apply the parts that you are adhering to it. Press firmly and be careful not to move them apart so the glue can do its job. Give the bond a little time to fully seal, and you’re done! Take a last look around your work area and make sure you don’t have adhesive sticking to anything it shouldn’t be. As long as the adhesive has not fully dried, you should be able to use a wet rag to remove the excess.
Spray foam adhesives work in a similar manner, namely that they can be highly toxic and should be used with the proper protective equipment to avoid contact with the skin. They are far more concentrated in terms of viscosity, so you still want to make sure you have an open and well ventilated workspace.
Upholstery Hot Glue & Fabric Glue
One major benefit of hot glue and fabric glues over spray adhesives and foam adhesives is that they are generally non-toxic. You should still avoid ingesting them, but highly ventilated areas are not a strict requirement when working with more solid glues.
With hot glue, it is crucial to know what materials you are going to be working with, so you choose the right temperature of glue for the job. Hotter temperatures are good for quick adhesion and a strong initial bond but may melt less durable materials. For these materials, you should reach for lower temperature glue sticks.
When prepping your work area, make sure that it is free of clutter — particularly of the flammable variety — and that it is near an outlet (if you are using a corded glue gun). Always keep your glue gun away from the edges of the work surface so you do not risk knocking it onto the floor.
Protective equipment is often recommended to help prevent common injuries that are associated with glue gun use. Depending on the application and product, this may mean wearing safety goggles, leather or canvas gloves (since the glue will likely melt through rubber or latex), long-sleeve shirts, and closed-toed shoes.
Once you’re ready, you can begin gluing. The first step is to let your glue gun heat completely before trying to force glue sticks into it. Also, always use the proper glue sticks that are made for your particular gun. Using the wrong glue can damage the gun and render it useless.
When you’re done, set the glue gun on its metal rack and unplug it (or turn it off). Let the gun and remaining glue cool completely before you attempt to remove excess glue sticks or put the gun away.
Finding the Best Upholstery Adhesive for Your Needs
If you are not sure what the best type of upholstery adhesive is for your application, we want to help. We have experts in the adhesive industry that can provide product recommendations and technical consultations for businesses looking for the right solution.
