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Is Liquid Nails Waterproof?

Liquid Nails Adhesive is water resistant but not 100% waterproof. When the glue binds to a material it dries hard but still slightly flexible. It creates a tight seal that keeps water out and is generally safe to use outdoors and in all sorts of weather. It’s strong and durable enough to resist all sorts of factors once it’s fully cured. However it isn’t designed for underwater use such as in a pool. Liquid Nails also makes a line of silicone bases sealants and caulk which are waterproof. It can be used safely in wet environments like tubs and showers.

Liquid Nails is sold in either a 9 oz caulk tube or a small 2.5 oz squeezable tube with a screw on tip. It’s easy to use and versatile. They make a variety of types that work on all sorts of materials like wood, metal, concrete, plastic, glass, tile, fabric, etc.

Liquid Nails is a semi-solid when applied but it quickly dries and becomes hard. This can take hours or minutes depending on the type of Liquid Nails you use. But just because it’s hard doesn’t mean it’s done curing. Full curing can take up to a week for some types of adhesive. Liquid Nails isn’t waterproof or water resistant until it’s fully cured. So when you apply it, be patient and let it fully cure before exposing the bonded material to water.

In this article we’ll discuss different types of Liquid Nails and how waterproof they are.

Is Liquid Nails Adhesive Waterproof?

Most types of Liquid Nails Adhesive is not 100% waterproof. But they’re water resistant. This may seem like a small difference but it’s actually a big distinction.

Because Liquid Nails is water resistant it can be used outdoors. The bond will generally stay strong when exposed to elements like rain and snow. But it’s not actually 100% waterproof. So you can’t fully submerge it for long periods of time. It’s not safe to use in pools, ponds, hot tubs, etc.

Liquid Nails comes in a variety of formulas designed to do different things. I use it on pretty much every home I build. Their Heavy Duty, Extreme and Fuze It products are especially good because they work quickly and dry very strong. I use it to bind all sorts of materials together when I don’t want to see nails or screws. My favorite is Fuze It Max. It’s expensive at over $10 a tube but it’s so strong and works so fast the cost is worth it.

Read the tube of your Liquid Nails to make sure it’s safe to use outdoors or around water before you expose it to moisture. Not all types are water resistant.

Liquid Nails will use terms on their products like Weather Resistant or Weatherproof, these do not mean waterproof. Unless the tube specifically says waterproof, then it’s not.

Liquid Nails Sealants Are Waterproof

Liquid Nails makes a line of sealants and caulks that contain silicone. These are generally considered waterproof and safe to use in extremely wet areas like showers and tubs.

Silicone is a material that cures 100% waterproof. So you can technically use it underwater. Read the label on your Liquid Nails to make sure it contains silicone and says waterproof.

  • Clear Small Projects: Liquid Nails Clear Small Projects Silicone Adhesive is sold in a 2.5 oz squeezable tube. It’s applied as a liquid that dries strong but stays flexible. The silicone creates a tight seal that repels water.
  • Liquid Nails Tub Surround: This is a great waterproof adhesive used around tubs and shower walls.
  • Roof Repair: Liquid Nails roof repair is waterproof and great for fixing and sealing damaged shingles and flashing.
  • 100% Silicone: Liquid Nails makes a 100% silicone product that’s also 100% waterproof.

Apply a small bead of Liquid Nails Sealant along the edges of whatever material you’re gluing. If you leave any areas unsealed, water will penetrate. Remember that silicone products are both a glue and a sealant. So you need to apply product to all the areas where water can get in.

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What Types Of Liquid Nails Are Waterproof?

Most types of Liquid Nails are water resistant but not 100% waterproof. If you’re looking for a waterproof adhesive, make sure it specifically says “Waterproof” on the tube and not “Weatherproof” or “Weather Resistant”.

Waterproof means you can fully submerge the product in water. This makes it safe to use in places like tubs and showers.

  • Liquid Nails Tub Surround & Shower Wall Adhesive: This product is designed for use on tubs and shower walls. It contains silicone which makes it 100% waterproof and not just resistant.
  • Roof Repair: Liquid Nails roof repair is waterproof and great for fixing and sealing damaged shingles and flashing.
  • 100% Silicone: Liquid Nails makes a 100% silicone product that’s also 100% waterproof.
  • Clear Small Projects: Liquid Nails Clear Small Projects Silicone Adhesive is sold in a 2.5 oz squeezable tube. It’s applied as a liquid that dries strong but stays flexible. The silicone creates a tight seal that repels water.

What Happens If Liquid Nails Gets Wet?

When Liquid Nails product is applied to a material it must dry and fully cure before it becomes either waterproof or water resistant. Adhesives continue to harden and grow stronger over time. Even though they may appear hard on the outside, inside they may still be curing. So be patient and give them time to work.

Once fully cured, Liquid Nails Adhesive will resist water. Most types are even safe to use outdoors when fully exposed to the elements. But even most indoor Liquid Nail can be exposed to moisture without damage. Water generally beads up and runs off.

When either water resistant or waterproof Liquid Nails gets wet, the water beads up and runs off. This includes just about every type of Liquid Nails. However, only products that specifically state waterproof can be used fully under water.

Liquid Nails acts like a sealant that repels water. It bonds hard with a variety of materials to create a barrier water can’t penetrate. Once the bond sets in, water won’t be able to pass through. Let the water dry naturally or wipe it off with a towel. You won;t damage the adhesive by drying it once it’s hardened.

If Liquid Nails is exposed to water before it fully cures or when it’s still semi-solid it could become weak and wash out. Don’t expose Liquid Nails to water until it’s dry and hard.

How Long Before Liquid Nails Becomes Waterproof?

Liquid Nails becomes waterproof, or water resistant, after it’s dried and fully cured. Although it may seem hard on the outside, which happens quicker, it may still be curing on the inside.

Be patient when you use Liquid Nails and other types of adhesives. They set up much faster than it takes for them to fully cure. Give them time before you expose them to moisture.

In general, Liquid Nails Adhesive begins to dry in about 10-15 minutes. But it can take seven days before it’s done curing and reach maximum strength. The time it takes will vary based on the type you use. Heavy-Duty, Extreme and Fuze It dries and cures faster than weaker types of Liquid Nails.

How much time it takes for Liquid Nails to dry and cure depends on a few factors. There’s no set time that it becomes waterproof. Instead, there’s a general time-frame or range. Things like the porosity of the material it’s applied to, humidity, temperature, the type of adhesive, weight, location and how much you use all effect how long it takes to dry.

When in doubt, wait a bit longer before you expose Liquid Nails to water. If you do it too soon the adhesive could fail and cause leak.

How Long Does Liquid Nails Last?

Liquid Nails reaches its maximum strength within seven days. But, its actual dry time will vary by material and other factors like porosity, weight, location, humidity, temperature and the amount you use. If applied correctly and allowed to fully cure, Liquid Nails bond can last for decades.

After a tube of Liquid Nails is opened and exposed to air, it can last for up to 2 years. After that, it will start to lose its stickiness and won’t bond properly. But the area that’s in direct contact with air will get hard and start to cure. To preserve a tube of Liquid Nails for longer, cover the tip after you open it. I usually insert a screw into the tip to seal it. This blocks air and keep Liquid Nails wet. On most jobs I use the same tube for months.

After the 2 year period, Liquid Nails will slowly become less effective over time. Make sure you keep the tube sealed if you want to preserve it for longer.

What Won’t Liquid Nails Stick To?

Liquid Nails products can’t stick or bind to materials made with Polyethylene and Polypropylene. They’re chemicals used to produce some types of plastic. If a plastic has one or both chemicals, Liquid Nails won’t work.

Manufacturers mark product made with these chemicals with the letters PE or PP. When you use Liquid Nails on plastic, check to make sure it doesn’t contain these ingredients first. Because it won’t bind or provide water resistance.

Generally the letters PE or PP will be found somewhere near the recycling symbol.

Does Liquid Nails Dry Hard?

There are many types of Liquid Nails that work on a variety of materials with different strengths. Each formula contains different ingredients and dries to varying levels of hardness. In general, most types of Liquid Nails dries flexible and not rock hard.This is one of the reasons why it’s so strong and durable. And it’s why Liquid Nails has such good water resistance and in some cases is fully waterproof.

If you use Liquid Nails, don’t worry if it’s not rock hard after a week. It may be that the type you used is designed to dry flexible.

Summary: Is Liquid Nails Waterproof?

Liquid Nails Adhesive is water resistant but not 100% waterproof. When the glue binds to a material it dries hard but still slightly flexible. It creates a tight seal that keeps water out and is generally safe to use outdoors and in all sorts of weather. It’s strong and durable enough to resist all sorts of factors once it’s fully cured. However it isn’t designed for underwater use such as in a pool, tub, pond, etc. Liquid Nails also makes a line of silicone based sealants which are waterproof. They can be used safely in wet environments like tubs and showers and say waterproof on the tube.

Inspect the tube before you use it. Liquid Nails will use terms on their products like Weather Resistant or Weatherproof, these do not mean waterproof. Unless the tube specifically says waterproof, then it’s not.

Liquid Nails is sold in either a 9 oz caulk tube or a small 2.5 oz squeezable tube with a screw on tip. It’s easy to use and versatile. They make a variety of types that work on all sorts of materials like wood, metal, concrete, plastic, glass, tile, fabric, etc.

Liquid Nails is a semi-solid when applied but it quickly dries and becomes hard. This can take hours or minutes depending on the type of Liquid Nails you use. But just because it’s hard doesn’t mean it’s done curing. Full curing can take up to a week for some types of adhesive. Liquid Nails isn’t waterproof or water resistant until it’s fully cured. So when you apply it, be patient and let it fully cure before exposing the bonded material to water.

If you have any questions about Liquid Nails or other types of adhesive, email any time.

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