How Long Does Gripfill Take to Dry?
Gripfill, a rubber resin adhesive, is used for a huge number of purposes and takes around 24 hours to cure thoroughly.
That depends on the temperature in the room, which materials you're bonding together, and the size of the bead applied - and a quick-dry gripfill can dry much faster, although it's generally more expensive.
As a solvent-borne adhesive, gripfill adheres to a vast array of surfaces and materials, eliminating the need for nails or power tools in many circumstances.
The wet tack grabs and holds substrates together, so gripfill is often used to mount items to walls or secure plasterboard.
Factors in the Time Gripfill Needs to Dry
A lot depends on how thick the gripfill is. If you apply a typical 6 mm bead, and the room is at an ambient temperature of 20 °C, you'll need to wait 24 hours for the gripfill to be cured and at full strength.
Thicker beads and cooler rooms will mean your drying time is longer - and absorbent surface materials can also need an extended period to bond.
It's important to wait until the gripfill is completely dry. For example, if you're mounting a shelf and put objects on it before the gripfill has set, it will potentially come away from the wall and damage the paintwork behind.
If you're sticking two objects together, you should press firmly together to optimise the grip.
Manufacturer guidelines indicate that average drying times can be as little as six hours in the right conditions and will remain firm in temperatures varying from -10 °C to 50 °C.
Other Considerations in Applying Gripfill
Gripfill is suitable for use for several projects and adheres to:
- Wood and MDF
- Plasterboard and hardboard
- Ceramics
- Concrete and brick
- Most plastics
- Cork
- Metal
- Laminates and UPVC
- Glass
One surface should be porous to ensure good adhesion. The ideal applications are for bonding materials that aren't suitable for solvents, such as laminated PVC or polystyrene - although you should be sure to check the label, as different gripfill brands contain varying solvent levels.
The thicker the bead and the denser the gripfill, the longer it will take to dry.
Improving ventilation, using thinner beads in multiple strips, and using a firm application to push the two objects together will enhance the application and help it cure as quickly as possible.
Tips For Applying Gripfill
If you haven't used gripfill before, the application process is very simple:
- Cut off the end of the plastic tube, just above the thread. The nozzle can then be screwed in place and cut at an angle to the right size of bead.
- You can use your gripfill in any cartridge gun.
- Longer panels, such as skirting boards, work best with a zigzag gripfill line, around 1 cm from the edges.
- Heavier items, such as coving, should be secured with temporary support, propped in place or underpinned until fully cured.
Although gripfill usually needs 24 hours to be thoroughly dry, it can be firm in just five minutes, so you need to make any positioning adjustments quickly.
The best way to manoeuvre heavier grip filled panels into place is to apply your gripfill bead in intervals and then position the board slightly above the intended placement, sliding it into place whilst applying pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions - How Long Does Gripfill Take to Dry?
Now let's run through some of the frequently asked questions about using gripfill in your home improvement projects and ensuring it is thoroughly dry!
Can I Remove Excess Gripfill When it Has Set?
If the gripfill hasn't yet cured, you can use gripfill wipes after scraping off the bulk of the excess adhesive.
However, if the gripfill has already set, you'll need to use a more involved process such as cutting, scraping or sanding back the gripfill.
This substance is intended as a permanent adhesive, so it's best to apply gripfill carefully and take your time to apply smaller beads in strategic places to avoid excessive gripfill being pushed over the sides.
Can I Paint Over Gripfill?
You can, yes, although you'll need to wait for the gripfill to have cured before applying paint.
Water-based paints such as emulsions can be applied straight away when your gripfill is touch dry. It's not recommended to use other paints for another one or two days, by which time you can be confident that the gripfill is completely cured.
As we've discovered, the drying times depend on the diameter of the bead applied, so a thicker application should be left for longer before painting.
Can I Use Gripfill to Stick Plastics?
Gripfill is suitable for most plastics and bonds to hard materials, including Perspex, PVC, fibreglass and polycarbonates.
The reason gripfill isn't always the right substance is that it can contain solvent, so plastics that aren't compatible can be more tricky - most gripfill brands aren't recommended for Teflon, polypropylene or polyethylene since the solvents can affect the plastic.
It's wise to check the manufacturer specifications and usage recommendations before using gripfill on plastics since these vary depending on the type and volume of solvent present.
Does Gripfill Work Under Water?
While it is waterproof, gripfill isn't designed for something permanently submerged, such as a pond pump or water feature.
Gripfill isn't recommended for these projects since the adhesive could break down over time and lose its grip.
How Are Grab Adhesives Different From Sealants?
Grab adhesives, such as gripfill, are intended to bond together substrates - they aren't designed as a sealant, although they may provide some sealant properties.
Sealants, conversely, are not designed to bond but instead seal a space or joint between two materials or substrates, protecting against movement, dust, water and gases.
The best sealants have a good amount of flexibility, so they won't crack or break apart if the space moves, whereas a grab adhesive is rigid and static.
You can use a quality sealant for mild adhesive properties, but they won't have the wet tack consistency of gripfill. Hence, a grab adhesive is advisable to stick two items together and form a permanent bond.
References:
https://trade.evo-stik.co.uk/product/gripfill
http://www.resin-supplies.co.uk/help%20info%20files/GripfillSF%20techdata.pdf
https://www.stickyquestions.co.za/media/faq/FAQ/Gripfill_FAQ.pdf
By Johnny Fuller
Home Improvement editor at NWrenovations.com
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