If you’re a do-it-yourself enthusiast, you’re likely fixing or repairing things on a regular basis. If this is the case, you’ve likely heard of the new ultraviolet (UV) glue pens that seem to work on just about everything. These pens are easy to use and work great on most textures, with the exception of certain types of plastic, and they have to be “cured” with a light to work properly. They have been used by manufacturers for quite some time, but now DIYers and crafty people are jumping on the UV light bandwagon. Keep reading to find out why.
How Do UV Glue Pens Work?
With most glues, the drying process is what makes the two objects stick together, and although this usually takes a while, it is a very effective type of adhesive. Nevertheless, a quality UV light glue device works much faster and is therefore a more efficient way of gluing things together. The process needs a photochemical reaction for the two objects to stick together, and this is the job of the UV light. You simply place a small amount of the adhesive liquid onto the item needing to be glued, use the UV light for just a few seconds, and voila – the job is complete!
In fact, this nearly instant drying technique is what makes this process so valuable for a variety of commercial applications. Companies in the food, automobile, and medical fields, as well as others, have been using this type of adhesive on their products for a very long time, and now, crafters and others can do the same thing. Since the liquid will not dry without the UV light, you have some flexibility with your projects because you can take your time with them and expose the liquid to the light only when you are ready to do so.
There are also two main types of UV adhesives: epoxy-based and acrylates. Although epoxy-based adhesives are most common, the acrylates are being used more and more. Some of the many advantages of using a glue that cures with UV light include:
- Very fast curing time
- Does not require high temperatures to work
- Does not require toxic, flammable solvents
- More flexibility in your projects
- Works on a variety of materials and objects
In most ways, using a UV-based adhesive is preferred over regular adhesives, and it isn’t difficult to understand why. Although they used to be expensive for personal use, this is no longer the case. In fact, the companies that make this product offer competitive prices that allow you to get professional results without paying a lot of money for the glue pens.
What Materials Does the Light Pen Work with?
These UV light activated glue pens work with a variety of materials, including:
- Crystal
- Glass
- Leather
- Metal
- Plastics (most noticeably transparent glass)
- Wood
There are some types of plastics, however, that do not work with UV pens. These include PP, PE, and PTFE plastics. But unless you’re working with one of these materials, the chances are good that the UV pens will work perfectly on them.
To get started, simply clean and dry the surface of the item and apply a very thin layer of the glue. Squeeze the items together, then shine the UV light on the glue for roughly three seconds. If you like, you can apply a thicker layer at this point and follow the same instructions, just to make sure the repair is done correctly. Next, you can proceed to the next step, whether that is painting, decorating, or just setting it out on the counter somewhere so you can show it off to family and friends.
Lots of UV Pens on the Market
A high-quality UV light glue pen isn’t difficult to find because there are so many of them currently on the market. Products such as SpectroSeal and others are usually found online and come at prices you can afford, and because this type of adhesive is so efficient, it can be counted on for a variety of projects. Some people wonder, does UV light dry super glue, and the answer is that, in short, it doesn’t have to. Super glue or “crazy” glue dries on contact and needs no light or anything else to bond two surfaces together. It isn’t that you can’t use a UV pen to dry super glue – it is just that the process isn’t necessary.
If you’re going to review these pens, you should go ahead and visit several websites because there are numerous sites that include honest reviews of the products, which often includes reviews from real-life customers. The pens are easy to use, very fast-working, and reasonably priced as well. You should also keep in mind that to fully cure and be as hard as possible, it is going to take up to 24 hours after you cure the liquid. This doesn’t mean you can’t use the object that you’ve just glued together immediately; it just means the full effect of the UV light won’t be recognized for up to a day after the work is done.
Conclusion
Reviews of these UV light plastic glue pens can be found in lots of places and therefore, it behooves you to visit them before you make a decision regarding which one to purchase. You can also check out more reviews of additional products you may be interested in, and all of these sites provide you with an unbiased look at numerous products that are on the market today. Regarding these UV pens, just know that as long as you get the right brand, they work exceptionally well. That is evidenced by the fact that commercial and industrial entities have been using this process for years, and now it is available for home use.
At any given time, new products are coming on the market, and doing your due diligence can help you find out more about them quickly. This includes these UV glue devices that are simple to use, very fast, and extremely good at what they do. If you’re an arts and crafts person or a DIY enthusiast, you owe it to yourself to look into one of these pens.