Type of Glue for Crafts With Bottle Caps

Bottle cap arts and crafts are not something you see every day. They stem from the imagination of the artist and can manifest in myriad ways, from jewelry to tabletops to abstract sculptures. Gluing bottle caps to surfaces can be tricky, however. Bottle caps are metal, and not all glue will hold metal. Still, there are some particularly good glues available that will get the job done.

Hot glue guns are a favorite among crafters and artisans. Simple to use and easy to clean up, the glue sticks melted with the glue gun are remarkably versatile and durable, making it an excellent glue for bottle cap projects. The glue gun is the method of putting the hot glue on the bottle cap. The gun needs to be plugged in and set on the stand attached to it. A glue stick, also called a glue rod, slips into the gun through a hole in the back of it and pushed in as far as it will go. Once the glue heats, point the tip of the gun to the area on the bottle cap where glue is needed and squeeze the trigger to produce the amount of glue desired. The glue cools quickly, so the bottle cap needs to be placed immediately where it needs to be. Hot glue sticks come in many colors, and for those who enjoy change, glue sticks even come with glitter in them. Once finished, simply unplug the gun and allow it to cool.

Tacky Glue is heavy, thick, polyvinyl acetate glue. Stronger and stickier than white, all-purpose glue, it has become a staple among many craft aficionados. Tacky Glue adheres quickly to items, including bottle caps, and dries clear. It does not dry quickly, but because of the strength it has even in liquid form, the item glued does not need to be held until it dries. Tacky Glue is available in different strengths in craft stores. Although Tacky Glue is an excellent adhesive for a bottle cap project, it does pose some issues: It is difficult to get out of clothing and is not suitable for gluing anything to glass, as it can be peeled off. Soap and water cleans up hands, but because of the thickness of the glue, it may take a little elbow grease to get it off of your fingers. If it gets on tools, it will peel off after drying.

Metal adhesive glue is an excellent choice for gluing bottle caps. Since formulated specifically for gluing metal, it bonds well. Metal adhesive glue dries clear, just like hot glue and Tacky Glue. It is strong enough to secure even the heaviest metal craft embellishment items. Safe and nontoxic, it is a terrific addition to the craft glues available for artisans. Using the glue is easy; just point the tip, squeeze the desired amount onto the bottle cap, and place it where you want it secured.

Epoxy resin glue is a copolymer, meaning there are two parts that must be mixed together for the epoxy to become glue. Epoxy is an extremely strong glue used for many types of materials and surfaces, including metal. Although it comes in two parts, epoxy is relatively easy to use. For a bottle cap, the artist must squeeze equal parts of epoxy and accelerator on a paper mixing pad. Any paper pad will work; the best spatula is a Popsicle stick or a cotton swab. The two parts must be mixed together with reasonable speed, especially if using a fast-setting epoxy. Mix the epoxy with the spatula of choice, grab it, and put it on the bottle cap. Place the bottle cap in place. Excess epoxy can be removed with a cotton swab; any that remains will dry clear.