Glue is an essential supply for many craft, home improvement, and repair projects. With so many types of adhesives available, it can be tricky to know whether to use clear glue or white glue for a particular application.
Comparison Table For Clear Glue Vs White Glue
| Feature | Clear Glue | White Glue |
| Composition | Solvent-based polymers | Water-based PVA polymers |
| Appearance when dry | Dries transparent | Dries translucent white |
| Suitable applications | Glass, ceramics, metals, plastics, jewelry, repairs | Paper, cardboard, wood, fabric, crafts |
| Bonding strength | Forms strong bonds | Forms weaker bonds |
| Drying time | Dries slower, 1+ hours | Dries faster, 5-20 minutes |
| Water resistance | More water resistant | Less water resistant |
| Flexibility | Rigid, inflexible bond | Flexible bond |
| Odor | Strong chemical odor | Mild to no odor |
Clear Glue and White Glue
Before diving into a feature-by-feature comparison, let’s briefly introduce the two types of glue:
Clear glue, also known as solvent-based glue, is made from a solution of polymers and solvents. The classic clear glue is Elmer’s Glue-All, which dries transparent and glossy. Clear glues are versatile adhesives and can bond various porous and non-porous materials.
White glue is a water-based polyvinyl acetate (PVA) glue. Elmer’s School Glue and tacky glue are common white glues. White glue is also called carpenter’s glue, wood glue, or PVA glue. It dries translucent with a matte finish. White glues work especially well on porous materials like paper, wood, and fabric.
Comparing the Composition
The main difference between clear glue and white glue lies in their chemical compositions:
Clear glue uses synthetic resins dissolved in organic solvents. Common resins include:
- Polyvinyl acetate
- Cellulose acetate
- Acrylic polymers
- Epoxy resins
Common solvents include:
- Toluene
- Xylene
- Methyl ethyl ketone
White glue uses polyvinyl acetate (PVA) emulsions suspended in water.
PVA particles dispersed in water produce a milky white liquid that dries clear. Other ingredients like preservatives and pH adjusters are added for stability.
The water-based formula makes white glue safe for kids, while clear glue’s solvents require caution around skin and eyes. However, clear glue’s solvents allow it to penetrate surfaces better than white glue.
Appearance Differences
Another key difference is the appearance of the glues:
Clear glue remains crystal clear when it dries. This makes it ideal when you need a fully transparent, invisible bond line.
White glue dries clear or translucent. When used in thin layers, it will dry mostly clear but may have a slight white tint. Thick applications may dry cloudy.
So if visibility matters, clear glue has the advantage of drying completely see-through. White glue works fine for crafts or repairs where a slight white tinge won’t matter.
Best Applications for Each Glue
With their different formulas come different ideal uses for clear vs white glue:
Clear Glue Works Best For:
- Glass, plastic, acrylics, metals – It bonds tightly to smooth, non-porous items.
- Jewelry – It invisibly adheres gems and findings to jewelry pieces.
- Clear plastic models – An invisible seam is important for realism.
- Repairs requiring transparency – Useful for gluing clear items like vases, glasses, and plates.
White Glue Is Ideal For:
- Paper crafts – It flexibly bonds paper, cardstock, origami, and scrapbooks.
- Cardboard projects – The PVA allows the cardboard to flex without cracking the glue.
- Wood crafts – It bonds well to the porous surface of wood.
- Fabric and felt – It sticks fabric pieces together and appliques without stiffening the material.
- School projects – The non-toxic formula is safe for kids.
So clear glue suits transparent items and smooth surfaces, while white glue excels at flexible bonds for porous materials.
Strength Comparison
When it comes to sheer strength, clear glue forms a tighter, more rigid bond than white glue:
- Clear glue creates strong, permanent bonds on non-porous items. Solvents allow it to penetrate the material surfaces.
- White glue has a medium strength hold. The PVA plasticizes but doesn’t penetrate porous surfaces as well.
However, white glue offers better flexibility and impact resistance. Its elastic hold allows bonded materials to expand and contract without the bond failing.
So for materials taking mechanical stress or vibration, white glue’s flexibility provides an advantage. Clear glue’s rigid hold works for static bonds.
Drying Time
Drying time varies between glue types and brands based on formula and thickness applied:
- Clear glue dries at a moderate pace. Solvents must fully evaporate, which takes longer with thicker applications.
- White glue dries fairly quickly as water evaporates from the PVA emulsion. It can dry in under 30 minutes with thin coats.
For rushed projects, white glue’s faster drying time can be advantageous. Clear glue works fine for items that can be left alone to cure for a few hours.
Adding airflow with a fan or heat with a hairdryer can accelerate drying times for either glue type. Just avoid excessive heat that may distort the materials.
Water Resistance
When it comes to water resistance, clear glue again has an edge over white:
- Most clear glues offer excellent water resistance and can withstand humidity, rain, and washing.
- White glue has moderate water resistance at best. Unless specifically advertised as “waterproof”, white glues can weaken and detach when soaked.
So for items exposed to water or moisture, clear glue is the better choice. White glue is fine for indoor use as long as it stays dry.
Flexibility Comparison
A benefit of white glue is its flexible hold after drying:
- White glue retains some flexibility after drying, allowing materials to expand and contract without the bond failing.
- Clear glue dries to a rigid, inflexible hold. Any stretching or twisting motion can cause the bond to crack.
So white glue works better for materials that will flex, bend, or experience vibration in use. Clear glue suits rigid bonds that won’t need flexibility.
Odor Differences
The choice between clear and white glue also comes down to odor:
- Clear glues have strong, unpleasant fumes from the solvents. Proper ventilation is key, and some glues require respirators.
- White glues have no odor or only a mild vinegar smell. The water-based formula makes them benign to use indoors.
For indoor crafting and projects, white glue’s low odor makes it the comfortable choice. Clear glues work fine in a garage or workshop with good airflow.
Choosing the Right Glue for the Job
Here are some final tips for selecting the best glue for specific materials and projects:
For plastic, acrylic, glass, and metal: Clear glue bonds tightly and dries crystal clear.
For porous materials like paper, wood, and fabric: White glue offers flexible bonds safe for kids.
For outdoor use and water resistance: Pick a clear glue formulated for moisture resistance.
For fast drying and low odor: White glue dries quicker and has little smell.
For visibility: Clear glue dries transparently for invisible seams.
For flexibility: White glue allows more movement and vibration.
For strength: Clear glue forms a tighter bond, while white glue has impact resistance.
Do some test bonds on scrap pieces when possible to ensure you get the performance needed for the project. With knowledge of their different properties, you can choose the best glue for every job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is clear or white glue better for glass?
Clear glue is the better choice for bonding glass. It adheres tightly to the smooth, non-porous surface and dries crystal clear for an invisible bond line. White glue does not bond as tightly to glass.
Can I use clear glue on fabric?
Clear glue can be used on fabric but may produce a stiff bond. White glue is a better choice for fabric projects since it remains flexible after drying. An exception is using small amounts of clear glue for embellishing fabrics with beads or rhinestones.
Is clear or white glue better for paper?
White glue is preferable for paper projects. It allows paper to flex and move without the bond cracking. Clear glues dry rigid, which may cause paper bonds to detach if folded or stressed.
Which is stronger – clear or white glue?
Overall, clear glue forms the strongest bond, especially on non-porous surfaces. The solvents allow it to penetrate smooth materials like plastic, glass, and metal in a way that white glue cannot. However, white glue has better impact resistance and flexibility.
Can I thin clear glue with water?
No, attempting to thin clear glue with water will cause it to lose adhesive properties. Clear glues can only be thinned using the original solvent in the adhesive. In contrast, white glues can be thinned using water.
Does clear or white glue dry faster?
White glue generally dries faster than clear glue, often within 5-30 minutes depending on thickness. Clear glues take longer for the solvents to fully evaporate, sometimes up to 24 hours for a thick application. Using a fan or hair dryer can speed up drying times.
Is clear or white glue better for DIY jewelry?
Clear glue is the top choice for DIY jewelry projects. It invisibly and securely adheres gems, beads, and other embellishments to jewelry components. White glue works but may leave a faint white film on clear stones.
Final Takeaways: Choosing Between Clear and White Glue
- Clear glue bonds tightly to smooth surfaces like glass, plastic, and metal while white glue is better for porous materials like paper and fabric.
- White glue dries flexible; clear glue dries rigid. Flexibility makes white glue suitable for materials that will bend and flex.
- Clear glue has superior resistance to water and moisture. White glue is fine for indoor use only.
- White glue is non-toxic and safe for kids. Clear glue requires ventilation due to solvent fumes.
- Clear glue dries crystal clear while white glue dries translucent. Use clear glue when visibility matters.
- Consider bonding strength vs. flexibility needs. Test unfamiliar glues on scraps before committing to a project.
With knowledge of their adhesive properties and ideal uses, you can confidently choose between clear and white glue for flawless DIY projects.