How Long Does Liquid Nails Take to Dry? (6 Quick Drying Tips!)
If you need to bond two materials together, liquid nails can be your best bet. It’s extremely strong, durable, and can bond just about anything together. What’s not to love!?
But you’re probably curious how long you have to wait for liquid nails to dry.
In this post, I’ll answer the question “how long does liquid nails take to dry?” and show you how you can speed up the drying process!
How Long Does Liquid Nails Take to Dry?
It typically takes a few hours to 24 hours for liquid nails to dry. This will depend on several factors that I’ll explore below.
Liquid Nails Setting Time
Similar to wood glues and other adhesives, liquid nails will begin to set in as little as 15 minutes. During this time, you should avoid touching or moving the surfaces you’re bonding as doing so can delay the cure time of your construction adhesive.
Liquid Nails Extreme Heavy Duty Dry Time
If you’re using Liquid Nails Heavy Duty or Extreme Heavy Duty, these Liquid Nails Products will require 24 hours to dry with a cure time of 7 days.
How Long Does Liquid Nails Take to Dry On Concrete?
Liquid nails drying time on concrete can range from 24 hours to 7 days. Just be sure that the surrounding air is not humid and the temperature is right for maximum strength.
How Long Does Liquid Nails Take to Dry On Wood?
Liquid nails dries in about 24 hours on wood surfaces. This is slightly more than the drying time of wood glue. However, if you’re bonding wood to another type of surface, this can extend the drying and curing time.
How Long Does Liquid Nails Take to Dry On Plastic?
Liquid nails dry in around 24 to 72 hours on metal surfaces and cure in about 7 days. Because metal is non porous, it will take slightly longer to dry and cure.
How Long Does Liquid Nails Take to Dry On Metal?
Liquid nails drying time on concrete can range from 24 hours to 7 days. Just be sure that the surrounding air is not humid and the temperature is right for maximum strength.
How Long Does Liquid Nails Take to Cure?
Liquid nails will require at minimum a full 7 days to fully cure.
The cure time will depend on several factors, just like the drying time.
It’s critical that you apply liquid nails in moderate temperatures while keeping moisture to a minimum for the curing process to begin and achieve maximum strength.
How Long Does Construction Adhesive Take to Dry?
Construction adhesive has the same drying time as liquid nails. Because Liquid Nails is a brand name for construction adhesive, you can follow the same guidelines as you would with Liquid Nails.
It takes around 4 hours to 24 hours for construction adhesives to dry completely.
Factors that Can Determine Dry & Cure Time
Temperature
Temperature is one of the most obvious factors that can speed up or slow down the drying process.
You want to apply liquid nails at a moderate temperature. Somewhere between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit for the optimum result.
If you apply liquid nails in freezing cold or blistering hot temperatures it can dramatically slow down the drying time of liquid nails.
In general, it will take twice as long to dry when you apply liquid nails at 50 degrees verses 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Humidity
Humidity is another factor you’ll want to take a look at when using liquid nails. If you’re working outdoors or in a humid bathroom, this can slow down the drying time.
Surface Type
Different surfaces will affect the drying and curing time of liquid nails construction adhesive.
For example, if you’re working with non porous materials like painted surfaces, this will extend the drying time. However, if you’re hanging drywall or working with other porous materials – this can make the process quicker.
Ventilation
Having proper ventilation can help with the previous two factors, temperature and humidity, as well as keeping you safe when using any construction adhesive.
Type of Adhesive
There are many different types of liquid nails that can affect the drying time and curing time of your adhesive.
While most popular liquid nails products will dry in around 24 hours and cure in around 7 days, some are faster than others.
For example, the FUXE-IT Max liquid nails can dry in as little as 12 hours and cure in 24 hours.
The Liquid Nails product you choose will determine how fast it can dry and cure.
Application
How you apply your liquid nails can have a profound impact on how long it takes them to dry.
I’m specifically talking about the amount you use. The more you use, the longer it’s going to take your adhesive to dry.
Try to use just enough to cover the entire surface, but not much more.
How to Make Liquid Nails Dry Faster
1. Add a Fan
One of the best ways to make liquid nails dry faster is by adding a fan to the area. This will help to ventilate the area and cut down the humidity.
Stagnant air will increase the drying times for liquid nails, so using a fan is a great idea.
However, you don’t want to point the fan directly at the liquid nails you just applied. Instead, just have it pointed at a wall across the room.
If you have an overhead fan, this is an easy way to make liquid nails dry faster.
2. Keep it Dry
Humidity can slow down the drying process for liquid nails, so ensuring the area is dry can help to speed up the drying process.
You can consider adding a dehumidifier to the room to help keep moisture out of the air where you’re working.
If you’re working in a bathroom or another humid room, try to avoid using that room when you apply liquid nails.
If you’re working outdoors, always check the forecast for rain.
3. Apply Less
When bonding surfaces with any construction adhesive, the amount you apply will play a big role in how long it’s going to take to dry.
The more you apply, the longer it takes liquid nails to dry.
If you want to expedite the drying process, using less liquid nails can help you save some time. While it can be difficult to determine the right amount, I’ve found that using slightly less than the entire surface area is a good amount.
4. Don’t Apply on Wet Surfaces
Moist surfaces will make it tougher for liquid nails and other construction adhesives to dry.
For example if you’re applying it to wood that has been sitting outdoors, this will take it longer to dry than a dry surface.
It’s best to wait until the surface is completely dry before you use liquid nails.
5. Use a Space Heater
If you’re working in a cool room, applying heat can be an easy way to speed up the drying time for many liquid nails products.
I don’t recommend using a hair dryer or electric heat gun as this can burn the liquid nails. Instead, using a space heater can be a smart option to slightly elevate the temperature in the room you’re working in.
Obviously, if you’re working outside this will not work and you’ll want to check the forecast.
6. Check the Weather
If you’re using liquid nails for exterior use, always check the weather before you begin the application process.
You want to look for moderate temperatures and no rain in the forecast for at least 3-5 days. This will ensure the environment is right so your latex construction adhesive will dry and cure as expected.
How to Use Liquid Nails
If you’ve never used liquid nails before, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when getting started.
- Find the right liquid nail products for the job. There are many different types of liquid nails you can choose from. Find the best one for your needs.
- Next, if you don’t already own a caulk gun, you’ll need to purchase one to use liquid nails. You can pick one up for around $10 from a local hardware store.
- You can then place your liquid nails in the caulk gun and cut the tip at a 45 degree angle. You’ll then need to puncture the seal with a small nail so it will come out.
- Next, you can apply the liquid nails by pulling the trigger on the caulk gun. Try to work in a zig zag motion and don’t over-apply.
- Once apply, I highly recommend clamping the surfaces together. While this isn’t required, it’ll help to give you the strongest bond possible.
- After applying it, you’ll need to give it time to dry and cure before messing with the surface.
- Finally, you can clean up any messes and remove liquid nails with mineral oil or petroleum jelly.
Check out the video below for more help using liquid nails!
When to Use Liquid Nails
Liquid nails are great for both minor repairs and serious construction work that requires superior strength.
Liquid nails are great for:
- Joining plywood boards together
- Working with treated lumber and woods
- Hanging drywall wood
- Working with brick or stone veneer
- Cement backer board
- Attaching molding
FAQs
Do you have to clamp liquid nails?
While you don’t technically have to clamp liquid nails, I always recommend it for the strongest bond possible. Even if it’s just an hour of clamping, this will help to give you a stronger bond than no clamping at all.
Does Liquid Nails expire or go bad?
Yes, over time, liquid nails will begin to go bad if you don’t seal the tube properly. It typically takes around a year or two before the substance begins to harden and go bad.
Will Liquid Nails dry in cold weather?
Liquid nails will take much longer to dry in cold weather. Try to avoid using liquid nails adhesive in temperatures below freezing.
Is liquid nails heat resistant?
Some liquid nails products work and are heat resistant. For example, Liquid Nails FUZE-IT is heat resistant and works great to bond various materials together.
Does liquid nails work on glass?
Yes, liquid nails work on glass and many other surfaces like brick, tile board, and more.
Does Liquid Nails expand when it dries?
Liquid nails doesn’t expand when it dries. This gives it more flexibility so it doesn’t crack or break when under pressure.
Is Liquid Nails a good Sealant?
Liquid nails makes a specific products that is a tremendous sealant. Liquid Nails Clear Seal is an excellent sealant that you can use for a variety of projects.
Is Liquid Nails removable?
Liquid nails is removable. You can remove liquid nails by using mineral spirits or a petroleum jelly. You’ll need to rub it off after applying these substances but it is removable.
Does Liquid Nails stay flexible?
Yes, liquid nails remains somewhat flexible after drying. This will help to ensure its strength so it doesn’t break when under pressure.
Final Thoughts on How Long Does Liquid Nails Take to Dry
Liquid nails adhesives are superb products that can make your life easier when bonding materials together. It’s a strong product that can help you complete a variety of projects.
When comparing liquid nails vs wood glue, you’ll get a much stronger bond with liquid nails.
It typically takes around 4 to 24 hours for liquid nails to dry and a cure time of around 7 days.