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Is Liquid Nails Waterproof?

Is Liquid Nails Waterproof?

Finding an adhesive that is both strong and resistant to the elements and to water can be difficult.

To combat the struggle that many home improvements enthusiasts and handymen have when looking for reliable adhesives, the Liquid Nails company created several types of Liquid Nail products.

The original Liquid Nails adhesive is not completely waterproof, but it is water resistant. When it binds to materials, it creates a seal that water cannot pass through easily. All Liquid Nails products are resistant to many elemental factors that would wear down other types of adhesives.

No matter what type of project you are working on, you need the right adhesive to keep everything from falling apart.

Those who use Liquid Nail products trust the strength and power of this product.

Another reason why some people prefer to use Liquid Nail is that the finished project looks better and more aesthetically pleasing. There are no unsightly nails sticking out of beautiful, lacquered wood.  

Is Liquid Nails Waterproof?

The Liquid Nails company has several types of adhesive products formulated for extreme or heavy-duty projects. Each adhesive has their advantages.

Using the right product for the right project can ensure that Liquid Nails adhesive performs its job well and the home improvement project or construction job lasts a long time.

Most Liquid Nails products are not waterproof, but they are extremely water resistant.

There are a few Liquid Nails products that are 100% waterproof, but not all of them!

Will Liquid Nails Stop Water?

When a Liquid Nails product is applied to a material, like concrete or wood, it must dry and cure completely to reach its strength and bind to that material.

Once cured, this adhesive acts like a sealant and water will not be able to penetrate it.

Unless something extreme, like gallons of boiling water is poured directly onto the Liquid Nails adhesive, it will not be affected by water.

Since the Liquid Nails adhesive is bound to that surface, water won’t be able to pass through the adhesive.

How Long Before Liquid Nails Becomes Waterproof?

If you are applying a Liquid Nails product to a surface, it will become waterproof after the adhesive is dried and cured.

As you may or may not know, the time it takes for Liquid Nails to dry and cure depends on a number of factors, like the porosity of the material it is applied to, the humidity of the environment as well as the temperature, the application thickness, and the type of product.

If you are working in an environment that is 40% humidity or higher, it will take a long time for the adhesive to dry, cure, and finally become waterproof.

Likewise, Liquid Nails applied to nonporous materials or applied in cold weather will take longer to dry and cure.

But Liquid Nail products will become waterproof when it is finished with its curing process.

How Long Does Liquid Nails Last?

After a tube of Liquid Nail is opened, it will last for up to 2 years. After then, it will start to lose its stickiness and binding abilities.

But it will not break down and become useless overnight. Instead, it will slowly become less and less effective.

Also, after Liquid Nails has been open for over 2 years, its strength, which fully develops after its curing time is completed, will diminish as well.

But if a tube of liquid nail is opened and used within two years, then its strength and adhesive’s effectiveness will remain stable.

Once Liquid Nail is applied to a surface and allowed to dry and then cure, its adhesive power, as well as its strength, should last forever.

Construction adhesives are designed to last for decades.

What Does Liquid Nails Not Stick To?

Liquid Nails products cannot stick or bind to materials made with two closely related chemicals: polyethylene and polypropylene.

These two types of chemicals are found mainly in special types of plastic products.

However, it is easy to identify which plastics products have one of these two chemicals. Manufacturers have to mark any product made with these two chemicals with the letters PE or PP.

The letters will be found somewhere near the recycling symbol.

Note: You may see that Liquid Nails is still slightly flexible after it is cured, but it does not mean that the adhesive is not working.

Liquid Nails is not an adhesive that hardens when it is cured. It is supposed to be flexible, and its flexibility is part of the reason why it is so strong.

Liquid Adhesive

Which Liquid Nails Products Are Completely Waterproof or the Most Water-Resistant?

  • Liquid Nails Tub Surround & Shower Wall Adhesive: This product is designed for the bathroom, so it is formulated to be completely waterproof. It wouldn’t be a good bathroom adhesive if it became weak when it got wet!
  • Liquid Nails Rapid Cure: The curing time of most other Liquid Nail products can take anywhere from 7 to 10 days. But the liquid nail rapid cure product cheers much faster than most other liquid nail products. Besides its fast-curing time, it is also completely waterproof.
  • Liquid Nails Outdoor Repair Adhesive: This Liquid Nails product is designed specifically for the outdoors. It wouldn’t be a good outdoors adhesive if it couldn’t withstand rain, sleet, snow, and hail! Not only is it waterproof, but it also dries and cures on wet surfaces.

Conclusion for Liquid Nails Being Waterproof

Most Liquid Nail products are not waterproof, but they are water resistant. There are several products that are marketed as waterproof and those products are Liquid Nails Tub and Shower, Rapid Cure, and Outdoor Repair.

This adhesive becomes water resistant or waterproof after it dries and cures.

Lindsay Reed

Hi, I'm the founder of ProjectPerfectHome.com! I created this website to be a resource for everyone who wants to make the best home possible.