Loctite Vs. Super Glue (What’s the Difference?)

 

When it comes to adhering two objects together, there are lots of differing opinions about what works and what doesn’t work.

Many homeowners are loyal to Super Glue, while others think that Loctite is the better method.

It may come as a surprise to you that these two products serve different purposes.

If you are working on some projects around the house and want to know if Loctite or Super Glue is the better choice for you, we have all the answers that you will need.

 

Loctite Vs. Super Glue (What’s The Difference?)

 

Loctite is actually a brand that makes a variety of adhesive products, and one of the products that Loctite makes is Super Glue.

However, when people refer to Loctite, they are often referring to Threadlocker.

One of the most popular products that Loctite sells is called Threadlocker.

The Threadlocker is designed to be used when working on two pieces that will thread into each other.

To prevent a screw from backing out, you can use Loctite to form a tighter bond between the threads.

Super Glue, on the other hand, is used more to bond two surfaces together.

As we mentioned, Loctite is a brand name, and when you compare the Loctite Super Glue to any other Super Glue, there will be lots of similarities.

Let’s instead take a look at the Loctite Threadlocker vs. Super Glue.

This is where many people question which is the proper one to use.

 

Positives & Negatives Of Loctite Thread Lock

 

The Loctite Thread Lock glue is an epoxy that is designed specifically for locking threads together.

With this product, you can rest assured that the bond created between a screw and a thread is going to be a strong one.

The Loctite Thread Lock can be used in a variety of situations.

It is something that you will see homeowners, plumbers, electricians, and carpenters using on a daily basis.

The Loctite got its reputation as being one of the best thread locking adhesives available, and from there, it has expanded into other categories of adhesives.

As with all products for use around the home, there are always going to be both strengths and weaknesses.

The weaknesses of Loctite include the fact that it is not always the best choice when working with wood.

The other negatives associated with Loctite are more about user error than the product itself.

If you are using too much Loctite, it gets difficult to work with because some will spill out over the edge.

 

Positive And Negatives Of Super Glue

 

Now that you have a better idea of what is good and what is bad about Super Glue, let’s take a deeper look into Super Glue and the positives and negatives surrounding this.

Some people refer to Super Glue by the name Gorilla Glue but this is just because of the brand name.

When we talk about Super Glue, we are talking about the very strong adhesive that will save the day when you break your mom’s lamp.

Super Glue is known for being used on a variety of things, and part of the benefit of it is that it works so well on all materials.

If you are working on putting a toy back together or fixing a kitchen appliance, Super Glue is something that you can count on.

Super Glue does work really well on wood, so you won’t have to worry about that causing you any issues.

Some of the Super Glues that you can purchase are waterproof as well.

However, you must check the product packaging to make sure before purchasing.

If you are using it in an area where there is quite a bit of water, this can become an issue.

There are some weaknesses to Super Glue, and mostly, that has to do with bonding metal.

Although you can get Super Glue to work on metal, it is certainly not one of the best choices to go with.

Bonding metal is difficult no matter what you use because the two surfaces don’t have much friction between them, and it can cause issues bonding the two.

Overall, Super Glue is a great product that every home should have around.

If you have something that breaks, Super Glue will be what you need to purchase.

 

What Other Products Does Loctite Make?

 

As we mentioned, the Loctite is often thought of as a product when it is indeed a brand.

Although you are likely referring to the Loctite Threadlocker, it is a good idea to also consider what other products Loctite has on the market.

This is truly a trusted manufacturer when it comes to making adhesives and products that will help a bond become stronger.

 

1. Construction Adhesives

When building and working on construction projects, there are many instances when there are gaps or when two pieces need to be held together with a firmer bond.

Many of the construction adhesives that Loctite sells are going to look like a caulk-type product.

These are like large tubs of glue, and depending on the project that is being worked on, you may go through the product rather quickly.

Construction adhesives are sold in much larger containers than something like a small package of Thread Lock.

This is because you will go through quite a bit more of it when you are on a construction site.

The construction adhesives that Loctite sells are known for being high in quality, and some contractors want to ensure that the quality of a product is as good as Loctite before they use it.

 

2. Sealants

Most of the time, companies that make sealants are also going to be the ones that make epoxies and glues.

The products are similar, and therefore, the manufacturing processes will be similar.

This means that Loctite is also known for its caulking and sealing products.

These are the items that you can use when you are doing finish work in a bathroom or a kitchen.

Anytime molding or tile meets a wall, there is typically a gap or an area that needs to be sealed.

The areas need to be sealed to prevent any moisture from coming in and also to make them look good.

Sealants are easy to work with, and they will make a project look complete.

 

3. Epoxies

If you have never used any of these two-part epoxy products, they are actually quite interesting to work with.

When using a product like this, you will use a tube provided by Loctite.

As you squeeze the tube, there are actually two products that will come out and combine.

When the products combine, they create a reaction with each other that will bond things together.

The epoxy is known for having a very strong bond, and most of the time, this is used in small applications on projects that are not so large.

Epoxy is known for bonding very quickly, which means that you will have to be moving fast and ensure that your area is protected as you work.

One of the things we recommend is looking at some of the Loctite products that are actually made to give you extra time.

Some are known for this, and it is a smart idea if you are having a hard time being quick enough to get a traditional epoxy to work.

 

4. Polyurethane Foam

Polyurethane Foam is another top seller from Loctite.

With polyurethane foam, you can seal gaps and areas where you want to ensure that moisture stays out.

You will see polyurethane foam used quite often in basements or in attics in a home.

Sometimes there are small gaps in the roofline of the home that homeowners worry could attract animals.

One of the best ways to prevent this from happening is to use a polyurethane foam to seal the area.

Another home area that will often need some kind of foam sealant is around windows and doors.

If you are replacing your windows and doors, you must ensure that they are properly sealed so that you are not losing cool air in the summer or letting cool air in during the winter.

In the winter, quite a bit of electricity is lost by heat escaping.

The same goes for the summer when cool air from the air conditioning system is let out through doors and windows that aren’t properly sealed.

Typically speaking, you will see that Loctite is a company very determined to handle the small details around your home.

If you are struggling with things that need to be sealed or glued together, this is a company that can help.

 

Can I Use Super Glue As A Thread Lock?

 

Now that you know most of the differences between Loctite Thread Lock and Super Glue, it’s a good idea to know if you can use them interchangeably.

For the most part, a Loctite Thread Lock won’t be your best choice for a Super Glue project.

The product is specifically made to help increase the bond of a thread, and because of that, you will find that there are certain products with which it does not bond all that well.

The Super Glue is also not the best choice as a Thread Locker.

The problem with Super Glue is that it dries a bit firm.

This is a good thing for most applications when you have to ensure things stick together quite well.

However, when it comes to a thread, you don’t really want to have a brittle bond between the two.

The bond has to be a little more flexible and have a bit more leeway.

This is because most of the time, two pieces held together with a screw and a thread are going to be pulled apart or away at times.

This type of movement is expected, and with a Thread Lock in place, there can still be some movement without any trouble.

However, when the thread is supported with a Super Glue product that is brittle when it dries, it could actually end up destroying the thread.

In other words, you should use a Thread Lock when it’s needed and use Super Glue when it’s needed.

Don’t try to replace one for the other, as it will likely not work.

 

Conclusion

Over time, certain products on the market start to be called by the brand name.

If someone says they were working on a project and they needed to use Loctite, chances are they are talking about Thread Lock.

Most of the time, products that are good at what they do will just assume the brand name of the product.

Therefore, when you are choosing between Loctite and Super Glue, it’s important to remember that Loctite does make a Super Glue as one of their many products.

Always ensure that you check the materials that you are going to use a product on.

Only certain types of products will work with things like wood, metals, and plastic.