Professional woodworkers, serious hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts choose Titebond for woodworking, home repairs and craft projects. In fact, Titebond is chosen more than 6 times as often as the next leading brand. One of the questions we hear most often concerns the key differences between Titebond Original, Titebond II Premium and Titebond III Ultimate wood glues.

Three Titebond products stand out in woodworking for their quality and popularity: Titebond Original, Titebond II Premium and Titebond III Ultimate. Each offers distinct benefits to suit different project requirements.

Titebond Original wood glue

Titebond Original is a leading choice for indoor woodworking. This aliphatic resin glue provides strong initial tack and fast setting to reduce clamp time. It is ideal for:

• Wood
• Hardboard
• Chipboard
• Leather
• Fabric
• Many other porous materials

Features:

• Easy water clean-up
• Easy to sand
• Popular with enthusiasts and professionals
• Non-toxic

Applications: Ideal for indoor projects such as furniture making and decorative work.

Titebond II Premium wood glue

Titebond II Premium adds water resistance, making it ideal for outdoor projects such as:

• Outdoor furniture
• Letterboxes
• Bird boxes

Features:

• Meets the ANSI Type II water-resistance standard
• FDA-approved for indirect food contact, suitable for chopping boards and kitchen utensils
• Excellent sandability
• Strong adhesion
• Easy water clean-up

Applications: A versatile choice for interior and exterior work, particularly furniture making and kitchen projects.

Titebond III Ultimate wood glue

Titebond III Ultimate is the premium choice for maximum durability. It provides exceptional water resistance, meeting ANSI/HPVA Type I specifications, and is ideal for demanding outdoor conditions.

Features:

• Exceptional water resistance (D4 class)
• FDA-approved for indirect food contact
• Longer open time for complex assemblies
• Non-toxic, with easy water clean-up
• Outstanding strength and reliability

Applications: Suitable for indoor and outdoor projects, including complex assemblies, garden furniture and kitchen items.

Why choose Titebond?

All three Titebond glues are:

• Non-toxic and safe to use
• Easy to apply and clean up with water
• Reliable – trusted by woodworkers worldwide

Whether you are a DIY enthusiast or an experienced professional, Titebond has the right glue for your next project. Choose Titebond for outstanding quality in your woodworking.

Video

Explore the benefits and applications of Titebond glues:

What is a crackle finish?
A crackle finish is a process that gives almost any item an antique appearance. It can create a distinctive aged effect on practically anything. Traditionally, many collectors use Titebond Liquid Hide Glue (Crackle finish instructions) to achieve this effect.

What is the shelf life of Titebond wood glues?
Most of our wood glues have a stated shelf life of two years. Titebond Liquid Hide Glue has an expiry date on the bottle because it can lose its ability to dry hard over time, and this change is not visibly apparent. Titebond Polyurethane Glue has a one-year shelf life unopened but can be used for as long as it remains fluid.
Polyurethanes are formulated to react with moisture, however, and can begin curing once the bottle is opened. Most of our yellow and white glues, including Titebond Original and Titebond II, remain usable beyond two years. If Titebond Original becomes thick, stringy and uneven, or Titebond II turns into an orange gel, it is no longer usable.
Titebond III has a minimum shelf life of two years. When stored correctly at room temperature, it can be used beyond the stated shelf life. If it thickens, shake vigorously and tap the bottle against a hard surface until the product returns to its original consistency.

Can Titebond wood glues be used on teak, cedar or mahogany?
These woods tend to develop an oily or tannic-acid layer on the surface, which can cause bonding problems. With any wood species, planing, jointing or sanding off this surface layer immediately before gluing helps achieve good results. Alternatively, wipe the bonding surface with acetone to remove it. Acetone dries quickly, allowing gluing almost immediately after cleaning.

Are Titebond glues safe to use?
All our Titebond wood glues are safe to use and release no harmful fumes. They meet ASTM D4236 requirements for safe use in arts and crafts. Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue and Titebond II Premium Wood Glue are approved for indirect food contact, so we recommend them for making chopping boards. We recommend wearing gloves when using Titebond Polyurethane Glue, because repeated bare-skin exposure can cause sensitisation to this type of product.

What are the clamping and drying times for Titebond wood glues?
For most of our wood glues, we recommend clamping an unstressed joint for 30 minutes to one hour. Stressed joints should remain clamped for 24 hours. Avoid loading a new joint for 24 hours. For Titebond Polyurethane Glue, we recommend at least 45 minutes of clamping. The adhesive cures fully in 6 hours.

Can Titebond wood glues be thinned?
Most of our water-based glues can be thinned with up to 5% water by weight or volume. More than 5% water will reduce bond strength. Titebond Liquid Hide Glue can be thinned by gently warming the bottle in a pan of warm water. Titebond Polyurethane Glue can be thinned only by placing the bottle in warm water.

Can Titebond wood glues bond painted or stained surfaces?
Most glues are designed to bond bare wood. Paint and stains block the pores and prevent glue from penetrating. Titebond Polyurethane Glue may work on painted or stained surfaces, but remember that the bond can only be as strong as the connection between the coating and the wood.
We recommend that bonding surfaces be free of paint, stain and sealant.

How do you remove wet and dried glue?
Most of our water-based glues can be wiped off with a damp cloth before drying. Once dry, they can be scraped or sanded off. Steam from an iron may also help, but it will not remove glue from the wood pores. Wet Titebond Polyurethane Glue can be removed with acetone, although peeling off the dried foam is easier. Dried Titebond Instant Bond can be removed with acetone or sanding.

Why are polyurethane hot-melt adhesives stronger than conventional hot melts?
Polyurethane (PUR) hot-melt adhesives form an initial bond as they cool, much like conventional hot melts. PUR then undergoes a second phase in which the adhesive reacts to form exceptionally strong chemical cross-links between molecules. This creates a chain between the bonding adhesive and the adhesive that has penetrated the substrate, producing a much stronger and longer-lasting bond than conventional hot melts.

How long does cross-linking take?
Cross-linking takes from several hours to several days, with bond strength increasing accordingly. The initial bond is already strong enough to handle the assembly once the adhesive has set. Load-bearing joints should remain unloaded for 24–48 hours while cross-linking finishes.

Where does the moisture for the reaction come from?
The reaction uses moisture in the air and substrate. Moisture levels can affect setting and curing times.

How do you remove adhesive from your hands?
We strongly recommend wearing gloves when using Titebond Polyurethane Hot Melt. The adhesive is hot and can burn unprotected skin. If it gets onto your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and a pumice cleanser, repeating as necessary.

What is the difference between ANSI/HPVA Type I and Type II water-resistance specifications?
Abu šie bandymai atliekami naudojant 15x15cm mėginius. Mėginiai daromi iš trijų sluoksnių beržo laminato suklijuotos faneros. I (D4) tipo bandymas yra žymiai griežtesnių reikalavimų nei II (D4) tipo. Jo metu verdamos suklijuotos jungtys ir mėginiai analizuojami kol jie šlapi. I (D4) tipo bandymuose 15x15cm plokštės pjaustomos į 2,5×7,5cm mėginius, kurie verdami 4 valandas ir po to kaitinami 63°C krosnyje 20 valandų. Po to jie verdami dar 4 valandas ir iš karto ataušinami tekančiu vandeniu. Šlapi mėginiai veikiami šlyties jėga ir jungtys turi parodyti tam tikrą stiprumą, ir atitikti suirimo reikalavimus, kad praeitų I (D4) tipo specifikaciją.
For Type II (D3), the 15 × 15 cm panels are cut into 5 × 13 cm specimens, boiled for 4 hours and then heated in an oven at 49°C for 19 hours. This is repeated for three cycles in total. To pass Type II (D3), the joints must show no delamination.

What advantages does Titebond III offer over polyurethane glue?
Although polyurethane glue bonds many materials well, Titebond III performs better in several areas. Alongside excellent water resistance, it provides stronger wood-to-wood bonds, does not foam and requires less clamping time. Titebond III presents no health concerns, does not require gloves and cleans up with water. It is less expensive than polyurethane glue and has a similar spread rate.

Why should I use Titebond III instead of Titebond II or other Titebond wood glues?
All Titebond products perform well, but Titebond III is especially useful outdoors at lower temperatures or where high moisture requires a Type I (D4) adhesive. Indoors, its longer working time gives the joiner more freedom to align components before bonding. Titebond III combines high strength, Type I (D4) water resistance, long open time and a low application temperature in one easy-to-use product.

What does “shelf life” mean for Titebond wood glues?
Shelf life is a conservative estimate of the minimum period for which a product should remain usable under specified storage conditions. It may also be described as usable life or storage life, and covers both physical properties and performance. Reaching the stated shelf life does not mean a wood glue has expired or can no longer be used. For many of our glues, the stated shelf life is guidance intended to avoid potential ageing problems. In practice, products such as Titebond Original, Titebond II and Titebond III will continue performing as intended while they remain liquid without a substantial change in appearance.

Can Titebond wood glue be washed out of clothing?
If Titebond wood glue accidentally gets on clothing, wet it immediately and keep it wet until all the glue has been rubbed out. Do not put the garment in a tumble dryer until all glue has been removed: heat bonds it into the fabric and makes removal impossible. Dried Titebond II and Titebond III cannot be washed out. A mixture of acetone, water and vinegar will soften the glue without dissolving it. Scraping the softened glue may remove most of it.

What is the best way to dismantle a glued joint?
Esminis dalykas norint išardyti suklijuotas jungtis yra susilpninti rišamąją jėgą. „Titebond Original“,  „Titebond II“ ir „Titebond III“ klijų stiprumą galima sumažinti pašildant suklijuotą jungtį fenu. Taip pat galima panaudoti ir garus iš lygintuvo. „Titebond Liquid Hide Glue“ klijų jungtį susilpninti galima užlašinant kelis vandens lašus ant jungties krašto ir palaukus, kol jis įsigers.

Our reliable wood glues provide strong, lasting bonds for everything from furniture making to major building projects. This page offers expert recommendations, practical advice and tips for excellent results.

Once the glue has dried, the initial bond is sufficiently strong.
Jūs galite testi sekantį suklijuotų detalių apdorojimą iš karto išdžiuvus klijams. Tačiau nepamirškite, kad klijų džiūvimo procesas užtrunka nuo kelių valandų iki dienų ir klijų stiprumas didėja proporcingai. Didelę apkrovą laikančias jungtis reiktų palaikyti be apkrovos 24-48 valandas, kol galutinai pasibaigs klijų susiformavimo reakcija. Maksimalų stiprimą klijai įgauna po 48val. Taip pat turėtu būti atliekami ir klijų stiprumo bandymai ar testai – po 48val.

Use masking tape when bonding parts that will later be painted or stained.
Glue squeeze-out can make finishing difficult. Use masking tape to cover areas where glue must not soak into the wood. The taped areas will be protected from glue that would resist the finish.

Determine the best clamping time for Titebond Liquid Hide Glue.
Titebond Liquid Hide Glue is particularly sensitive to humidity, making it difficult to know when to remove clamps. A useful method is to place an offcut coated with Liquid Hide Glue beside the freshly bonded, clamped assembly. When the glue on the offcut is dry, the clamps can be removed. Wait at least 24 hours before applying a full load to the joint.

Take particular care with projects that combine different wood species.
When using several wood species in one project, all pieces should have the same moisture content. Store them together in the same warm, dry location to help achieve this.

How to add colour to Titebond wood glue correctly.
Aniline dyes can change the colour of aliphatic resin glue. Mix the powdered dye with one or two drops of water to form a paste before adding it to the glue, preventing lumps. Start with a small amount because a little can change the colour considerably. Let a sample of the tinted glue dry before deciding on the final colour, as the dry mixture may differ from its wet appearance.

Reduce clamping time in a vacuum press.
To reduce clamping time, place a thick piece of wood inside the vacuum bag to absorb moisture from the glue. This works best when laminating several thin veneers, because water from the glue saturates them.

Improve results when bonding oily woods or woods with high tannic-acid content.
For oily woods or those with high tannic-acid content, wipe the joints with acetone before gluing. Acetone removes contaminants from the wood pores at the bonding surface and evaporates quickly without residue. Sanding or planing immediately before gluing also produces a good bonding surface.

Prevent stepped joints in your projects.
Raised joints usually occur when pieces with different moisture contents are glued together for a tabletop or cupboard door. Ensure all the wood in the project has the same moisture content before starting. One way to achieve this is to let it acclimatise in the workshop for a week or two.

Prevent sunken joints in your projects.
Water-based glues such as Titebond Original and Titebond II develop strength as they release moisture into the surrounding wood. This slightly swells the wood on either side of the glue line. If the assembly is planed or sanded before the swelling subsides, the damp wood near the joint will continue drying and shrink slightly below the surrounding surface. Allow the project to dry for several days before sanding or planing.

When clamping a bonded assembly may be useful.
Although clamping is unnecessary for most projects, it may be desirable. Clamping makes the glue line thinner and more attractive. If the substrates have significant spring-back, holding them flat while the glue cures also helps produce a better bond.

How long can wood glue be stored?
Most manufacturers set a conservative official shelf life to limit liability where poor storage has damaged the product. The stated shelf life of wood glue is usually about two years, but its actual usable life is often much longer. White or yellow PVA wood glues stored under ideal conditions can last 10 years or more. This also applies to our popular Titebond® Original, Titebond II and Titebond III glues.
„Titebond“ gamintojo „Franklin International“ vyresnysis technikos specialistas Bob Behnke, sako, kad sausas ir vėsus rūsys yra puiki vieta medienos klijų laikymui. Jis priduria, kad galėsite pratęsti savo klijų “gyvenimą”, jei juos laikysite savo šaldytuve. „Blogiausios sandėliavimo sąlygos yra kai leidžiate klijams užšalti, o vėliau atšilti“, – aiškina Behnke. „Dauguma medienos klijų yra pagaminti taip, kad atlaikytų mažiausiai penkis užšalimo / atšylimo ciklus.
With each cycle, the glue thickens into a gel. Stirring restores a uniform consistency. These gels disperse easily at first, but each subsequent freeze/thaw cycle makes them harder to mix out.” Eventually, gelled glue can no longer be stirred back to a usable consistency and remains solid. Heat can also cause the polymer to contract and form a gel.
Kaip sužinoti ar jūsų klijai yra blogi? „Jei jie ižsipila, tai tikriausiai yra geri“, – sako Behnke. Jei klijai yra sutirštėję, stipriai pakratykite ir padaužykite buteliuką į kietą paviršių, kol produktas įgaus pradinę formą. Jūs taip pat galite pridėti iki penkių procentų vandens į vandeninius klijus (pvz., PVA klijus), kad produktas taptu skystesnis. Jei klijai išsispaudžia ne vientisos arba pastos formos ir jie nelimpa prie medžio, tai tikriausiai jau praėjo saugojimo laikas. Jei „Titebond II“ pasidarė apelsino spalvos, reiškia atėjo laikas naujam buteliui.
We want you to get the most from every bottle of Titebond, however long it takes you to use it.