I don’t mind admitting it… I love wood glue. I have at least six different kinds in the cupboard at any one time, and PVA glue is a can’t-do-without staple. I’ve used it for all manner of creative, practical and DIY projects. It’s low cost, safe, easy to use and incredibly handy. But what is PVA’s secret? What lies behind this seemingly simple product that makes it such a useful piece of your wood finishes kit… what is PVA glue?
What is PVA?
What is PVA glue made from? Our first stop is Wikipedia. Here’s what it says about PVA:
“PVA is a rubbery synthetic polymer with the formula (C4H6O2)n. It belongs to the polyvinyl esters family with the general formula [RCOOCHCH2]. It is a type of thermoplastic. Polyvinyl acetate is a component of a widely used glue type, commonly referred to as wood glue, white glue, carpenter’s glue, school glue, Elmer’s glue (in the US), or PVA glue.”
Looking for an extra strong PVA Glue?
Whether looking to do homecrafts, DIY, joinery or other wood repair projects, choosing a professional grade PVA Glue will ensure that your project is a success. We believe that the following PVA Glues are some of the best on the market, meaning that you wont come unstuck when it matters.
- Morrells Probond PVA Adhesive – A high performance, D3 grade, PVA adhesive, primer and very strong bonding agent
- Evo-Stik Evo Bond GP PVA – Multipurpose adhesive which can be used across plaster, concrete and timber
PVA glue facts
Polyvinyl acetate, PVA’s main chemical component, was discovered by the German Fritz Klatte in 1912. The resulting glue doesn’t give off smells or dangerous fumes and is perfectly safe to handle with bare hands.
As well as ‘real’ wood you can use it on plywoods, chipboards and MDFs. It can be used as a high performance sealer, primer, bonding agent and dust proofer.
PVA sets when there’s good air circulation, and dries fastest at room temperature. You get the strongest seal when you clamp the pieces being glued. It’s quick drying with a very high bond strength.
The yellow exterior version of PVA is often called Carpenter’s Glue… but it’s still PVA. In fact, there is a bewildering array of specialist PVAs but the formula is much the same.
PVA is flexible, permanent and only toxic if you eat it. It has a neutral pH value.
PVA is water soluble. You can add water to thick glue yourself to create a thinner, less gloopy one. It’s best to add water to the glue (not the other way around) a small amount at a time and stir it well, to make sure you don’t over-dilute.
Here’s what Woodwork Basics says about PVA:
“This glue is now very popular and in many opinions, it is the best timber adhesive available because it dries clear, it’s very easy to apply and has super strong holding strength on wood.
They can creep over time but a tight joint helps to prevent that. Because of its many great features, Polyvinyl Acetate is excellent for bonding woodwork joints together or as a furniture and carpentry adhesive.
Polyvinyl Acetates are very versatile and are relatively fast drying, but excess glue must be wiped away after applying, or it is difficult to remove when dry.
Polyvinyl Acetate glues are available in white and yellow and are relatively inexpensive compared to most glue, they also have a reasonably long shelf life.
The white one is better for interior use because moisture weakens it over time and the yellow is better for outdoor use because it is water-resistant, but it doesn’t dry completely clear.”
And here’s what the Woodworkers Institute says about PVA:
“Most woodworkers today use the white wood glue, PVA. This provides a strong, and as far as we know, durable joint. The only glues that have really been tested by time are the animal glues and natural resins and gums. These are likely to be affected by heat and damp, and the animal glues, being rich in protein, are an invitation to insects and moulds if there is moisture present. Although some PVA glues are advertised as suitable for outdoor use, it is best to use a formaldehyde resorcin.
One possible drawback with PVA is that if you are gluing oak (Quercus robur), it may react with the tannin in the wood and go black, even staining surrounding wood if the surplus is not wiped off immediately.”
Plus, here’s a Youtube video about applying PVA glue:
PVA glue uses
What is PVA glue used for? As an emulsion, soluble in water, it is particularly useful for glueing porous materials, particularly for wood, paper and cloth. It doesn’t contain solvents and acts as a useful consolidant for porous building materials like sandstone. PVA adhesive is flexible, delivers a very strong bond and, unlike many polymers, it is not acidic. PVA wood glue is most often used:
- as a wood adhesive
- as a paper, fabric and leather adhesive
- in bookbinding
- in arts and crafts, for example mosaic
- as envelope adhesive
- as wallpaper glue
- as a drywall primer
- as a filler, by adding sawdust to it
A mixture of 50/50 PVA and water makes a very good sealant for plaster, preparing it for painting or wallpapering. It can also be used as a non-waterproof interior varnish, perfect for papier mache projects.
7 steps to using PVA to glue wood
PVA is a low cost, water-based, non-toxic way to glue wood to itself. Wood glue is a particularly strong version of ordinary PVA, ideal for heavier jobs. It dries completely clear but you can also buy pre-coloured versions that are less visible on wood surfaces.
- Squeeze the glue onto the surface of both of the bits of wood you want to glue together
- Remove any excess or spills immediately using a damp cloth
- Use either a specialist plastic spreader or a brush to spread a thin coat of glue over the surface of both pieces of wood
- Push the pieces together, rubbing the surfaces from side to side to remove trapped air and make sure the glue spreads evenly
- Grab a G-clamp or two and clamp the pieces securely
- Leave it for 24 hours before taking the clamps off
- Sand off any dried excess glue
The disadvantages of PVA glue
- Various fungi, algae, yeasts, lichens and bacteria can break down and degrade polyvinyl acetate
- PVA shouldn’t be allowed to freeze because it breaks up the polymer, which makes the glue useless
- You can’t varnish over PVA…but you can paint over it
- It takes 24 hours for the bond to achieve full strength
- It is not fully waterproof
How to remove PVA?
To get PVA off wood, sand it. If you get it on your clothes, a couple of warm washes should remove it. If it gets on your carpet, scrub it with warm water then Vax it up.
The most impressive PVA story on the planet?
I used PVA to varnish a decorated ceramic bowl, which I embellished with coloured papers and fabrics. It has been out in the garden for eight years through some of the worst winters and hottest summers on record, and it is still going strong. The surface goes a little milky in wet weather as the glue absorbs water and turns back into something sticky, but that’s about it. So while it isn’t supposed to be frost or water proof, under some circumstances PVA seems to be more or less indestructible.
Do you have a thrilling PVA tale to tell? If so we’d love to hear it!
Have a question about PVA Glue and its uses?
Need help with your wood glue project?
For more information about wood glues and their uses, contact our team of resident experts who are always on hand to help with project advice and product recommendations. Alternatively, see our wood glues FAQ page which covers many of the most commonly asked questions about wood glues.
We love to see before, during and after photos of any wood finishing project. If you would like to share your decking project pictures with us, you can either send us some photos or share on our Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram pages.
If you have large gaps or cracks for glue you could try applying a normal amount of PVA and then fill the gap or cracks with a thickish mix of Polyfilla or similar powder and the glue.
It works perfcetly.
PVA wood glue is stronger than wood.
Try glue to pieces of any wood, leave a few hours to dry then try separate the wood and always the wood will tear apart leaving the solid glued joint.
However as with anything else manufacturers will try to undercut each other and make inferior products.
I’ve just been using some 15 brand PVA but it is a lot more runny and doesn’t seem as strong as better brands.
Hello. I’m considering what to seal/glue a laminate (i.e. chipboard) kitchen countertop joint with. A bewildering selection of substances seems to be used including PVA. I’m considering sealing the edges first with varnish. Having done that, would PVA be a poor choice to seal the joint because PVA should be used with porous surfaces?
Good Afternoon Ian,
I would say for areas that need filling or a water proof seal rather than adhesive then perhaps a gap sealer would be a better option. This can be used on long thin lines to seal the gap and are flexible to deal with everyday movement and use of the surface.
The Bona Gap Master is a good option to take a look and see if it might suit your needs and if you have any questions at all please get in touch via our contact us page.
Kind Regards Samantha.
When I think of the money (and failures) spent on contact cement glue yet I’ve always had PVA sitting in the shed staring me in the face. Last night I tried it on sticking veneer to MDF – it’s surely 10 times better than contact cement. AND, I’m now going to apply my automotive trim to the MDF using the same technique. When you’ve spent four years restoring a 1955 truck a few more hours getting the trim right is worth it!
Can I use pva to reglue chair legs and back spindles ?
Good Afternoon David,
Yes a Wood PVA Glue would be suitable for your project, you could look at the Osmo D3 Express Wood PVA Adhesive 560g as a good option or the Morrells Probond PVA Adhesive
Clamps will help to hold the wood in place whilst the glue cures and give a better and stronger bond. As with all products a test area is recommended and I would advice reading up on the products to ensure they are right for your project.
All the Best Samantha.
Hello! I was wondering if you guys could tell me if PVA is suitable for filling the drying cracks of a wooden mallet (the cracks are about 1 mm at the widest end). I’m planning on diluting it a bit with water and use a syringe to fill the cracks. PVA is flexible when dry and would that hold the mallet together for timber framing joinery making, which is a quite heavy duty use of the mallet.
Good Afternoon,
Thank you for getting in touch with your unique enquiry. I would have to say that whilst Pva and some other fillers are flexible, I am not sure they will stand up to the rigorous use of a mallet and after a while will pop out.
All the Best Samantha.
Could I use pva glue to fill in a lot of gaps on my wooden dining table . The centre of the table is made up of circles of wood and I would like to fill the gaps in
Good Afternoon Sarah,
My apologies for the delay in getting back to you. It depends on the size of the gaps and how you are looking to finish the table. PVA may not be the best option to consider. If you would like me to take a look and advice further can you get in touch via our contact us page with details of type of wood, roughly the size of the gaps and how you are looking to finish the wood, oil or varnish? Perhaps a photo if possible and I will be happy to advice further.
Kind Regards Samantha.
I have to do a school project about PVA glue but I can’t find any where what PVA glue can’t be glued to. So if you can help me that wo be great.
Hello Sofia,
PVA can be used for a wide range of projects and materials, it is predominantly used for paper, card or wood, but it is also very versatile and can be used for many, many things. Its quite difficult to say what it can not be used for so if you would like further advice please feel free to email in via our contact us page with details of the project and the materials you are using.
Kind regards Samantha.
Hi Sam
I have been attempting to heat press vinyl onto various types of wood softwood and hardwood. A few of the letter aren’t sticking fully so I’m looking for a solution that will seal the letters down minimising the risk of them pulling up. You think a watered down PVA solution would be the best route to go down? Can you also pva over wood dyes?
Hello Alex,
Thank you for getting in touch, I am no expert with Vinyls, but I do think a PVA Seal may help. You will need to apply over the full surface for an all over even look. My advice would be to try a small test piece first. An off cut of wood and scrap vinyl if you have some and test once the vinyl has cooled completely how effective the PVA is. This will show you any possible issues, that could arise for example a milky finish over the vinyl or specific colours of vinyl, pulling on application, or reaction that damages the vinyl.
If the stains and dyes are water based the PVA should go over the top with out issue, just take care not to over work on application, you don’t want to reactive the stain/dye and cause pulling. And of course different woods will react differently, so always do a test area first.
Kind regards Samantha.
My project is to glue Kobalt 18″ x 18″ garage flooring tiles to kitchen and bathroom floors, and to toilet enclosure walls (approx. 27 high), in all cases onto plywood (floors, 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick). This versatile flooring, normally used in workshop environment, with “subway” flooring appearance is extremely robust and resistant, interlocks tightly, and I have used it to partially cover butcherblock countertop in areas where wear was omnipresent.
What is best sealant for plywood and then adhesive? RSVP. Regards, John
Hello John,
Thank you for your enquiry, you could have a look at the Manns Extra Tough Floor Varnish which is a hard wearing and durable finish. It is available in a sample size and I would recommend a test area first.
I hope that helps and for further advice please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Kind Regards Samantha.
Many thanks….will use it giving consideration to your reply.
Hey Sam, thanks for a very informative article, am building a shed out of wbp plywood and cladding it with spaced out softwood timber uprights, wondering if I can use pva to seal the edges of the plywood and also I am considering using it for fixing the uprights to the plywood, are these options viable and can I paint over it if I use pva elsewhere as a sealer?….cheers.
Hello Marty,
PVA is a great and versatile product, its uses are not only adhesion based but also great for sealing substrates and using as a primer. It would be suitable for your projects as long as it will not be exposed to frost or freezing temperatures. It can be painted over and in some cases varnished, but it is always strongly recommended to try a test area first to ensure compatibility with any top coat product.
I hope that helps and if you have any further questions I am happy to help.
Kind regards Samantha.
I am looking for a glue to fix pieces of bark to a picture frame. The pieces are obviously not flat and so I imagine a fairly thick layer of glue will be required. I am also reluctant to clamp it as this may crack the bark and spoil the finished work. Is PVA the right glue to choose?
Good Afternoon Deborah,
You could have a look at the Morrells Probond Polyurethane Glue its an expanding adhesive that could be ideal for your project. Always try a test area first and if you have any further questions please do let me know.
Kind regards Samantha.
Hi, I’m wanting to decoupage a table which I want to be hard wearing. If I glue the paper on with PVC glue will i be able to varnish over the top of it? Thank you for your help.
Hello Frances,
Generally a good quality varnish will be suitable for use over a decoupaged item. It will certainly improve the durability and protection to the surface, it will not be as tough however than if it was applied directly to wood. And I would strongly recommend a test area first.
I hope that helps and if you have any further questions or wish to share your project you can email me at wood@finishes.direct
All the Best Samantha.
Hi I have a kitchen with floorboards about 150 years old. I want to fill the gaps between the floorboards before painting the floorboards with a water based acrylic floor paint. The gaps are mainly 3 – 5mm wide with some greater and some lesser gaps and mainly 10mm deep. Flexibility of the filler is important to accommodate movement of the floorboards due to usage and changing temperature/humidity. I’ve seen a suggestion that the filler can be a mixture of sawdust and pva. I’ve experimented by inserting some of the mixture into a length of gap using a refilled 310ml decorators caulk tube. However I am told that the pva/sawdust mix will go brittle over time and work out of the gaps. Is this true? Is there a particular type of pva that I could use to maximise flexibility and durability? I would appreciate anyone’s help on this. Thanks Tim
Hello Tim,
We have an ideal product for filling between floor boards Bona Gap Master is a flexible filler that is applied using a Mastic gun. It would be more suited to your project than a PVA and sawdust mix and is easy to use. If you have a read up of the product and feel free to let me know if you have any questions.
Kind Regards Samantha.
Thanks a lot sam
Hii Dear
My query is on the what is the difference between PVA and water based glue? How water based glue is better than PVA???
Waiting for your kind response
Hello Maitrey,
Glues are not my field of expertise, I am afraid and so I have referred to Googles endless knowledge to answer your question. Water-Based Adhesives. Water-based (or more commonly referred to as waterborne) adhesives are typically formulated from either: Natural Polymers – from vegetable sources (e.g. dextrins, starches), protein sources (e.g. casein, blood, fish, soybean, milk albumen), and animal (e.g. hides, bones), or.
And PVA It is a type of thermoplastic. Polyvinyl acetate is a component of a widely used glue type, commonly referred to as wood glue, white glue, carpenter’s glue, school glue, Elmer’s glue (in the US), or PVA glue.”
As to which is the best, I suspect that it may depend on your project and the type of materials you are using. I am sorry that I can not be of more help but for any wood finishing questions please feel free to come back to me.
All the Best Samantha.
oh- and the glue we used was PVA- similiar to the one in your link.
Thanks
Hi Samantha- thanks for your input, I appreciate your time. We went ahead and glued it before seeing your response and it seems to be holding. We did not remove the lacquer before doing so- but only one face had lacquer, the other face was free of any finish so I am sure that helped. I will put a few screws through to give it more stability but at the moment it looks good.
Thanks
Hi,
I am gluing a large piece of coutertop directly on a chest of drawers, in order to create a kitchen island.
The countertop is particleboard.
The chest of drawers is made of Particleboard with an Oak veneer and Clear acrylic lacquer.
Would PVA glue hold the coutertop in place, even with people leaning on teh counter, which extends past the edges of the drawers? Would I need to remove the lacquer first? Or the laquer & veneer in ordert to glue to the particleboards underneath?
Thanks for your help.
Thanks
Joseph
Hello Joseph,
The surfaces that are to be glued together will need to be free of any finishing products, so the lacquer that you currently have on the draws will need to be removed. Then you could have a look at the Morrells Probond PVA Adhesive, which is suitable for many woods including chipboard, MDF and Plywood. It’s a versatile, low odour product that could be ideal for your project. If you read up on the adhesive and feel free to let me know if you have any further questions.
Kind Regards Samantha
Good morning,I have seen a number of youtube videos on decoupage paper napkins on wood using white PVC glue.Would you please recommend a white PVC for me to use for this project,and should I mix it half glue and half water.
Thank you……Nancy
I’ve used pva to clean vinyl records, spread fin over record and when it’s dry peel off and brings out dirt from the grooves.
Great Tip Joe ! Thanks.
We recommend always trying a small test area first however 🙂
I want to cover the top of s coffe table in pennies. Can I cover in pva to set them? Will it dry hard enough?
Hello Aimee,
Sorry but I can’t help with this one as I really do not know what would be the best glue/ sealer to use for a project like this. I do know that there are lots of examples on Pinterest that have come from Blogs and so you may be able to get some answers from there.
All the Best Sam.
Hi there. i have some wood panelling on the ceiling near my stairs , it has a coat of varnish on it, i have decided to paint it white, dont really want to spend hours or lots of money as its rented accomodation. but still want it to look nice and brighten up the stairs , so i dont have to apply lots of coats , can i PVA it before painting it with dulux eggshell (for wood /metal)matt paint . any help or tips would be great. thanks so much.
Hello Clare,
Apologies for the delay, we have made some enquiries to ensure we advise correctly… In short painting over the top of your varnished wood is not the ideal way to ensure longevity.
Priming with PVA is a popular solution for achieving the ‘shabby chic’ look. This is because some of the paint can come away without detracting from the look.
However in your instance you want a clean look so the advice is to sand and then prime and paint. It sounds like you would rather avoid sanding so the next best option is to use Zinsser B-I-N Primer prior to the Dulux emulsion. It’s important to note that this won’t give you a perfect result but will be a quick fix that will certainly look satisfactory, especially on a ceiling that can’t be inspected too closely.
We don’t currently sell Zinsser so here is a link to Zinsser’s website.
I hope that helps and please feel free to let me know if you have any further questions.
kind regards Sam.
Looking to spray a troublesome area of peeling decking. Could I use PVA mixed with decking paint for extra adhesion?
Hello Bob,
This is not some thing that I can recommend. For surfaces that are peeling and flaking we would recommend stripping back to bare wood and starting again or alternatively if this is not an option then you could sand the affected areas and repaint with the same product. Please let me know if you have any further questions or feel free to call and speak to one of our advisers – All The Best Sam.
Thanks for this – I needed to know if I could varnish over PVA and you have answered my question. I feel a little more confident now, but could still do with some more info.. I have decoupaged some drawers using wallpaper, for my daughter’s room. I have been putting thin layers of PVA (1 part glue to 5 parts water) over the paper, because I thought these would act as a varnish – however, I’m not sure how much difference it is making, and after my daughter peeled off some drying glue this morning (I nearly cried), I am worried that the finish will not be hardy enough.. Will it harden as it dries fully, enough to withstand regular use, and how many layers should I apply? Many thanks for any advice!
Hi Annie,
It sound like a lovely project, and one that you really want to protect so varnish will be the best option. Manns Extra Tough Interior Varnish is the one I would recommend and it will be perfect to use over the the PVA that you have applied so far. Always do a test area first and please be aware that this product is usually for application to wood directly, so although I can not for see any problems, there are no guarantees. Please feel free to ask any other questions and I would love to see the finished result. You can send photos to wood@finishes.direct if you would like.
All the Best Sam.
PVA clue, I need to know as a teacher doing a bird project/craft whereby we are sticking birdseed on to a board with pva as the base to hold the seeds on. can you confirm that this is a safe product a customer enquired about this and I need to know.
Hello Janet,
Apologies for the delay in getting back to you, if you would like to email this inquiry to wood@finishes.direct and I can send you the Safety Data sheets if it is about a product that you are purchasing from us.
Kind regards Sam.
Can PVA glue be used to attach a piece of 3/4″ plywood (10″x 20″) to ABS canoe hull? A block will be mechanically fastened to this plywood for anchoring a sailing mast.
Thanks,
Doug
Hi Doug,
I am sorry but this is not something I can answer. You may be better finding a forum specific to boat making and maintenance as they will have much more knowledge on a question such as this. I am sorry I could not be of more help.
Kind regards Sam.
Dear Sam,
I need to prime a piece of wood to paint with acrylic paints, then varnish so it can be outside for several years. Will this work with PVA?
Thankyou!
Ella
Hello Ella,
Yes the PVA would be fine to use as a primer for the paint and then Manns Extra Tough Interior Varnish as a top coat finish. Always do a test area first to ensure compatibility and adhesion. Please let me know if you have any further questions – Sam.
Thank you, Sam. That’s what I wanted to hear! 🙂
Thanks for the info.
You say, “PVA shouldn’t be allowed to freeze because it breaks up the polymer, which makes the glue useless.”
I assume you’re talking there about its storage BEFORE use. To be sure though, I’d be very grateful if you would let me know roughly in what temperature range it performs its function as a glue AFTER it is set, assuming it were fully set at room temperature, say. In particular, what concerns me is whether it will hold in a wood joint at a temperature as low as -5C.
Hello Pete,
Thank you for your inquiry, PVA should be stored between 5c and 30c. Once it is fully cured it will hold fine at temperatures to -5c, however the temperature change may have an effect on the wood causing it to expand or retract and this in turn could loosen the joints – Sam
I want to shappy chic a cabinet and someone suggested using this glue first before applying cream paint to it, as it is mahogany at the moment and they said it would help stop the brown coming through.
Hello Linda,
I have not heard of this before, so I couldn’t give you a definitive answer I’m afraid. But I do know that Chalk paint covers pretty much everything, so it may be worth trying that. The other option is to use a good primer first and then the paint.
If you do use a Chalk Paint then you will need to seal it with a Wax. Using a coloured Wax can help to achieve the distressed or shabby chic effect that you want. I hope that helps and we would love to see your finished project!
i have used PVA glue as a clear filler on a timber bench, but it hasnt dried clear, after 24hrs it has set, but it is white..???
Hi Keith,
Would i be right in assuming that you are looking for a ‘clear’ filler? Unfortunately, i’m not aware of any wood fillers that are perfectly clear. Even fillers that have a name like ‘Natural’ tend to have some sort of colour be it Grey or Beige. If you’re looking to make a repair as less visible as possible, consider something like Fiddes Wood Filler Gel. This is a clear filler that is mixed with sanding dust to make a filler that blends in with the surounding wood. Using sanding dust from the wood being filled will always give the best result. The filled area can then be sanded and if required stained and finished with a varnish or wood oil.
Always do a test area first.
I prefer to use the Loctite brand of pva as it cures quicker than other brands I have tried. Usually after half an hour the clamps can be removed. Among other uses, I use it for attaching model clay to foamboard for textured architectural models. The only golden rule here is to also apply the adhesive to the reverse side of the foamboard. This is necessary to equalise the tension created by drying and subsequently slight shrinkage. As a modelmaker, I have to work very quickly so the bulk of adhesives I use are those that bond in seconds rather than minutes or hours but it’s horses for courses. We’re certainly a lot further down the road from my dad’s old glue-pot which sat on a primus stove to keep it liquid. The stench of these old glues however was easily matched by the corresponding bonding power. Many a piece of old furniture stand testament to this.