Whether it's curtain wall construction or home decoration, sealant applicators are always the frontline "warriors". Holding the glue gun in their hands, they determine the tightness and aesthetics of every gap, and also bear the various pressures and worries behind the construction.
Today, we won't talk about big principles. Instead, we'll discuss the issues that craftsmen care most about - selecting glue, smell, construction period, materials, quality, and construction convenience, and we'll break them down one by one.

The dilemma of sealant selection: how to choose the right sealant?

>>   There are so many adhesives on the construction site, which one is suitable?" This is a common question asked by the workers  <<

• It depends on the situation.

  Structural adhesive for structural bonding
  Weather-resistant sealant for bonding and sealing joints of glass curtain walls, aluminum panel curtain walls, doors and windows, and sliding doors
  Acid glue for bonding between large glass panels
  Anti-mildew beauty glue for kitchen and bathroom
  108 kinds of color-matching adhesives are used for customizing the color of store signboards and boards
  Use special glue for wall panels for back-adhesion of wall panels
  

  
  

  

• Check the parameters：Product standard, displacement capacity, tensile strength, curing time.

  
  

• Simple mnemonic：For structural bonding, use materials with good structure. For outdoor use, choose materials with good weather resistance. For damp places, use materials that are mold-resistant. For frequently moving parts, use materials with high elasticity.
  If you have any questions, please leave a message and consult Master Xiao Gao!
  

  
  

Odor nuisance: How to avoid pungent smells?

>>   Some glues have a strong smell, making me feel dizzy and confused after a day's work. <<

• Choose low-odor beauty glue products：Gaolide beauty adhesive is a low volatile organic compound (VOC) content product, meeting the product standards of GB 18583-2008 "Indoor Decorating and Refurbishing Materials - Limit of Harmful Substances of Adhesives".
  This standard specifies the determination of VOC content in bulk adhesive: Place an appropriate amount of adhesive in a blast drying oven at a constant temperature, and within the specified time, measure the total volatile content and moisture content of the adhesive. The VOC content is calculated by subtracting the moisture content from the total volatile content.
  The determination of total volatile content shall be conducted according to the method specified in GB/T 2793-1995 "Determination of Non-volatile Content of Adhesives".
  

  
  Table 2 Limit values of harmful substances in body-type adhesives
  

  project	indicator
  Total volatile organic compounds (g/L)	≤100

  
  
  

  
  

• Ventilation during construction：Ensure air circulation to reduce gas accumulation

• Wear a mask：Use high-protection masks for construction.

Construction period anxiety: What if the curing process is too slow and delays the progress?

>>   Eagerly waiting for the glue to dry, the next process is urgently needed   <<

• Understand the principle of curing：Silicone adhesive cures by moisture in the air, and cures faster when the humidity is suitable. Among them, structural adhesive cures more slowly, while weather-resistant adhesive typically takes 30-60 minutes to dry on the surface and 24-48 hours to fully cure. Low-temperature rapid-drying adhesive can be turned over as early as 6 hours during door and window construction. Choosing the right product is particularly important.

Q1: Why is it that sometimes the glue doesn't dry, or dries too slowly, after being applied, while at other times it dries faster than the construction worker's initial estimate?

The curing speed of silicone adhesive is influenced by temperature, humidity, and joint design. Generally, higher temperature and humidity result in faster curing; whereas, when the temperature is low or the air is dry, curing is slower. Additionally, a thicker adhesive layer requires a longer curing time.

Q2: Why does the surface of cured silicone rubber arch? How can it be avoided?

Silicone adhesive itself does not naturally arch. This phenomenon is usually caused by the compression of uncured silicone adhesive during the thermal expansion and contraction of the panel. The occurrence of arching is related to factors such as panel size and material, environmental temperature changes, curing speed of silicone adhesive, and joint design. Proper control of these factors can effectively avoid arching on the surface of silicone adhesive.

Q3: Why does the top of my glass room crack after being glued?

This is usually because the roof of the glass room uses PC endurance board (polycarbonate) instead of real glass. Acid-free or oxime-free sealants may cause polycarbonate to crack. For this material, it is recommended to use alcohol-free sealants to ensure safety and stability.

Q4: Can the sealant that has just expired still be used? What are the risks?

It is not recommended to use expired sealant. Expired products may have prolonged curing time, and there is a risk of poor sealing and bonding, which may lead to detachment, water leakage, or reduced anti-mildew effect.

Q5: Can adhesive be applied on rainy days or when the substrate surface is wet? What are the requirements for temperature and humidity during adhesive application?

It is not recommended to apply sealant on rainy days. Normal sealant application can only be carried out when the substrate surface is dry and free of visible moisture. Rainy days with humid air and high environmental humidity (such as above 95%) can affect the adhesion of sealant. During construction, the substrate temperature should be maintained between 5–50℃.

Q6: What should I do if dust or water gets on the surface of the adhesive before it fully cures? Can I use a hair dryer to dry it?

This situation is generally more common when the surface of the sealant has dried (4-6 hours) but is still in the stage of complete curing. For dust, after it has fully cured, you can try wiping it off with a damp cloth and then wiping it again with a dry cloth. For a small amount of water droplets and beads on the surface, no treatment is necessary; it can be naturally air-dried.

If you have any questions, please leave a message and consult Master Xiao Gao!

Material compatibility: Will it damage other materials?

>>   "After applying the sealant last time, the edges of the stone have changed color" - material erosion is a headache <<

• First, conduct compatibility testing：Conduct a small-scale trial in an inconspicuous area, and observe the bonding condition after curing.

• Pay attention to the distinction between neutral and acidic：Acidic glue can corrode the surfaces of metals, stone materials, etc. For information on the properties of glue, you can consult Master Xiao Gao.

• Protect vulnerable surfaces：Before applying glue, take protective measures for sensitive materials, such as covering them with masking tape, which can be removed after the construction is completed.

Quality concerns: How to judge whether the glue is good or not?

>>   The quality of glue directly affects the construction quality" - the reputation of the master depends on it.   <<

• Check the product standards：Based on the product's implementation standards, different products correspond to different construction materials. Generally, structural adhesives comply with the GB 16776 national standard, while weather-resistant adhesives comply with the GB/T 14683-2017 and JC/T 485-2007 national standards. Higher standards can be applied to the bonding between glass and metal in high-rise and super high-rise buildings.

• displacement capability：The displacement capability is reflected in the weather-resistant sealant, which generally has grades such as 35, 25, and 20. The higher the grade, the higher the quality.

• View certification：Check if there is an institutional testing report. Gaolide products comply with national testing standards and have an institutional testing report.

• check the date：Sealants have a shelf life, and expired sealants may exhibit phenomena such as rubberization and solidification.

• Test performance：Whether the extrudability and thixotropy are good.

Construction experience: How to apply glue more effortlessly and precisely?

>>    Good glue requires good craftsmanship, but good tools can save half the effort   <<

• Glue Gun Selection：The lever type is more labor-saving than the push rod type.

• Cutting angle：A 45° oblique cut can control the amount of glue dispensed.

• Uniform motion：Maintain a steady speed and achieve one-time molding.

A good silicone adhesive and a good glue gun can save effort, time, and worry.

Even the best product requires the correct application method to achieve optimal results. Here are professional application suggestions for using Gaolide beauty glue:
Surface treatment: The bonding surface must be clean and dry, with any impurities or sealant residue removed.
Construction environment: The temperature for construction should be higher than 5℃ and lower than 45℃. It is not suitable to work in a humid or frosty environment
Application technique: Cut the sealant, then place it into the glue gun and evenly squeeze the sealant into the joint.
Shaping process: Use a scraper to remove excess sealant product, and smooth out the surface of the sealant. Alternatively, apply a small amount of water to your finger and use it to smooth it out.
Curing time: Under normal circumstances, the surface drying time is 30-60 minutes, and it can be fully cured 24-48 hours after application.

Masters, what other challenges have you encountered during the construction process?
Welcome to leave a message and share your thoughts. Let's work together to find a solution.