Answers to your Adhesive Questions

Last week Stacy Julian had a great blog POST and gave away Helmar products.  I had the opportunity to get on there and reply to all the amazing comments and questions that people have regarding adhesives.  Adhesives are one of those things that are:

1. needed on all your projects
2. must be reliable
3. user friendly

I am always asked why are there so many adhesives and why can't there just be one or two.  My only answer is there is not just one or two mediums we are trying to stick together.  And us crafters want to adhere everything including the kitchen sink together or on a layout.  (I digress but the thought of me gluing a small basin to a Get Well card is funny).  Trust me, when I say that I have tried to glue just about everything to a layout.  Therefore, Helmar makes a wide variety of adhesives to meet every adhesive need:

So with that said, Helmar Adhesives and Art Mediums each have a specific use and do the job they promise on the great array of mediums us crafters use.  So I am going to take this opportunity to recap and answer some of the many amazing questions we received on Stacy's Blog:

Best Adhesive for Vellum - Hands down that is Helmar V2 Vellum Adhesive.  It is easy to use and dries clear.  We recommend it for vellum and acetate.  Simply spray a light and easy spray to reverse side of vellum, wait approximately 5 minutes for adhesive to become tacky & clear and apply to your page. There are numerous other uses that crafters have found for this "magic adhesive in a can".  Another great use....spray those lettering machine mats and reuse them!  Yet another use...spray the back of those diecuts.  It is fast and easy to use.

Recommended Adhesive for rhinestones, gems, beads - Helmar Gemstone Glue is amazing for those clear gems, bits and baubles.  Trust me, it goes on white but dries clear.  It also is amazing for use with glitter! 

The most questions we received was about ribbon, buttons and embellishments - Our recommendation without hesitation is Helmar 450 Quick Dry.  This adhesive dries clear and does not bleed through ribbons, rick rack, burlap and fabric.  It is great for fabric usage and is even washable!  This is an absolute favorite of Donna Downey's.  She uses it exclusively on her canvas projects, Prima flowers, inspiration journal and altered art projects.  And for you Acrylic lovers 450 Quick Dry is a must-have!  This is a must have in your adhesive arsenal.

Paper to Chipboard, Wood, and Altered Art projects - My personal favorite Helmar adhesive is Acid Free Glue and is great for chipboard and altered art mediums.  Simply apply a thin, even layer of Acid Free Glue to your chipboard (i.e. albums, embellishments, etc.), or altered art item and adhere your patterned paper/cardstock.  Make sure to get those edges good and smooth out the paper to eliminate any air.  It will not bubble or buckle your paper and has a strong, permanent adhesion.  Sand those edges and you are good to go.  This adhesive was specifically designed for book binding, mounting photographs, preserving old or precious books and it sets clear, dries quickly and will not yellow with age.  Another TIP:  I use an inexpensive foam brush to apply that even layer of Acid Free Glue.  You can rinse the foam brush and reuse!

Favorite Glue Runner has to be Helmar's Quick-Fix Adhesive Runner.  It is ergonomic and easy to use and is permanent!  The nice strong hold is perfect for textured cardstocks. 

Recommended adhesive for Flocked, Glittered and Embossed Patterned Paper - Helmar's Premium Craft Glue.  This is perfect for behind your photographs as well and will not buckle or bubble your precious photographs.  Our Premium Craft Glue sticks to all those adorned patterned papers.

Looking to get 3-dimensional effects on your page well Helmar has two solutions:

Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots (a favorite of Stacy Julian and Donna Downey!) - I will say that when I teach with this adhesive eyes open wide and I can see the creativity waves steam roll in the class.  This is a liquid pop dot that you control how much is used so you control the amount of dimension you get.  No need to cut and is ideal for intricate work, embellishemnts, etc to get that raised effect.  Apply a dot/dollup (word?) to the back of our item.  The thicker you use the the greater the dimension.  Simply place the item on the page at the desired height making sure not to flatten.  Liquid Scrap Dots sets in about 10 minutes and needs a few hours to fully cure.  Once dried it is not going anywhere!

Zapdots for those who love a dry 3D Double sided adhesive.  They come in three colors (black, white & clear), 2 sizes (1/4" and 1/2") and two shapes (square & round). 

and one of the most popular questions.....

Where can you purchase Helmar Adhesives & Art Mediums - We are happy to be adding new retailers daily!  Make sure to request them at your local scrapbook & craft stores.  We have a list of Preferred Retailers on our Helmar USA Design Team Blog: www.helmarusa.typepad.com (upper left).  For a retailer near you feel free to contact info@helmarusa.com.

Helmar manufactures additional art mediums and more products for all your crafting needs.  Make sure to check out our USA Design Team Blog for projects, techniques and tips.  We are also happy to see your work with Helmar Products!

I hope that this information along with all the comments I replied to on Stacy's blog were helpful.  I can be reached via emai tracyw@helmarusa.com  to answer any adhesive questions you may have.

Thank you Stacy and to all her fans for the great questions!  I loved the opportunity to share my passion for crafting and our great products!

Tracy Weinzapfel
President, Helmar USA, Inc.

Comments

[TommyJ]

My instructor requires a glue with PVA as its main ingredient. Does Helmar Professional Acid Free Glue contain PVA?

[Tracy Weinzapfel]

We recommend you use Helmar Sew Stable. Unfortunately, we do not have a merchant of that product in the UK. You may wish to look at some of the online retailers on our website such as Brewers: http://www.brewersewing.com/BQSS_Consumer/productdetail.asp?item=ORMD-20
Good luck and thank you for your questions.

[Jemma Mclernon]

Hi can you assist with a general query anyone thanks. Which Helmar glue is suitable for use as a stablizer to make soluble lace on a sewing machinbe using matellic threads. Where can I buy this please as I see no merchant with this product in UK

[Constance]

What if you want to adhere a whole sheet of paper such as erro Gold Fine Paper 25" x 37" from Paper Source to the inside of an armoire or bookcase or such. What would you suggest as the best adherent? And would you have to coat over with a urethane or shellac. I like the paper as is.

[Donna Dial]

where can I find the scrap dots? I tried Michaels and Hobby Lobby but did not find it. Id really love to try it. I live in Benton Illinois,62812

[bryan]

random question
what's the difference between a methacrylate and cyanacrylate adhesives and what are the different materials that each are best suited to bond?

[Cathy In Chicago]

This is a great informative post.

[Jing-Jing]

This is really really good information!!! I have been using zapdots FOREVER now, I didn't realize it's Helmar!! wow!!!!

[Tracy Weinzapfel - Helmar USA, Inc.]

Thanks Kathi:
1) Acrylic Sealer does not have alcohol in it. It is water based. I would imagine it can be however I would definitely experiment with it first. I have not done that myself.
2) Finish is Glossy
3) Drying Time - 10-20 minutes depending on temperature.
4) Metallic or plastic surfaces - Both or non porous materials and I recommend experimenting first.

Crackle Medium
1) Two steps and each step takes about 20 minutes however I speed that process up with a heat gun.
2) Yes it can because it is two step and the first step adheres and makes the tacky surface. Again, we always recommend testing that.

Some Helmar Products are availalbe at Hobby Lobby in the Art Department however we recommend one of our retailers listed on the top left of the blog.

Hope that helps!

[Kathi]

Thanks for the great information!

I've been searching for refills for the Adhesive Runner since you gave me one at CHA a few years ago!

Here are a few questions for you:
Acrylic Sealer:
1. Does it have alcohol in it? I'd like to know whether it can be used over alcohol-inked or Copic colored projects.
2. Is the finish glossy or matte?
3. Drying time?
4. Can it be used on metallic or plastic surfaces?

Crackle Medium:
1. Drying time?
2. Can it be used on metallic or plastic surfaces?

Are the Helmar products available at Pearl Paint, Dick Blick, or other art supply houses or big box stores?

Thanks!