Choosing the right type of wood glue is essential for a secure bond, but it’s also important to allow for the adhesive to fully dry before moving onto the next step in the process. How long does wood glue take to dry? Consider the type of adhesive you’re using and find the answers you need below.
Understanding dry time vs. cure time
It’s important to understand the difference between a wood glue’s dry time and a wood glue’s cure time so that you get the best bond possible when gluing two pieces of wood together.
Drying is the process of the glue’s moisture evaporating and advancing to at least a tacky state. This timeline approximates a wood glue’s assembly time, or the amount of time you’ll have to clamp up a project before the glue starts to bond.
Many wood glues will have a assembly time that is less than 30 minutes and a dry time ranging from 30 minutes to an hour.
The curing process results in a wood glue undergoing a chemical reaction that strengthens the bond beyond what can be achieved during the drying period. It’s particularly important for joints that will experience stress that you wait until the glue is fully cured before unclamping.
How long does wood glue take to dry?
The best wood glue options all have slightly different dry times. In most situations, you can expect the adhesive to be fully cured in 24 hours or less. Some take less, like cyanoacrylate glues, also known as CA glues.
Adhesive dry times also vary depending on humidity, temperature, and the material you’re bonding. In extreme moisture situations, some adhesives may not cure at all. Be sure you follow the instructions for your chosen adhesive to ensure a proper bond.
| Type of wood glue | Dry time | Cure Time | |
| PVA glue | 10-20 minutes | Up to 24 hours | |
| CA glue | 10-30 seconds | Several hours | |
| Polyurethane glue | 30 minutes | Up to 24 hours |
PVA glues
Polyvinyl acetate, or PVA, is a popular type of wood glue for carpentry projects. If you have some yellow glue sitting around your home, chances are it’s a PVA wood glue. Titebond and Gorilla Glue are two common brands of PVA glues you can use for woodworking projects.
PVA wood glues will dry to a tacky state within 10-20 minutes and cure fully within 24 hours. Don’t remove clamps or stress the joints during this time. Once dried, you should be able to remove your clamps and enjoy a firm hold. PVA glue can also adhere paper, fabric, leather, and other materials. It can be used as a filler if you add sawdust to it as well.
CA glue (AKA super glue)
CA, or cyanoacrylate, glue is more commonly known as super glue. The best super glues can bond together in a range of 10 to 30 seconds. But a CA glue with accelerator spray can bond two pieces of wood instantly. The full cure time for many CA glues can be up to several hours.
You should have a gameplan in place before gluing two pieces of wood together with CA glue since you may not be able to reposition the joint before too long.
Polyurethane glue
For a wood glue with reasonably long assembly time, consider polyurethane. Polyurethane glue dries to a tacky state within 30 minutes, but it can take up to 24 hours to fully cure. Unlike CA adhesive, polyurethane takes some time to set up, so consider choosing the best brush for glue to accurately apply the adhesive before clamping the joint and waiting.
How do drying times vary with temperatures?
The curing process requires a specific temperature range. If you attempt to apply adhesive at the wrong temperature, the wood glue may not cure properly to create a lasting bond. Here are the optimal operating temperatures for the most common types of glue for carpentry projects:
- PVA glue: 50 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit
- CA glue: 41 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit
- Polyurethane glue: 50 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit
The humidity and material features also affect drying times. For example, oily woods may prevent your chosen adhesive from drying correctly. Expired adhesives or glue that’s been stored in extreme temperatures can also result in poor bonds.