How to fix damaged wood furniture with wood glue
Is your favourite wooden cabinet or garden chair looking a bit worse for wear? Don’t throw them out just yet. With the right wood glue, you can easily learn how to fix damaged wood furniture with a drop or two of glue!
Repairing broken wooden items is simple, cost-effective, and better for the environment. All you need is the right indoor or outdoor wood adhesive and a few DIY essentials.
In this guide we'll help you find the best glue for broken wood, share our step-by-step application for how to fix broken wood, and our top tips for getting the job done right, the first time.
Why repair?
Did you know that every year on average, people throw away around 20kg of furniture and equipment per person. That’s a lot of waste and much of it could be saved with a little care - and some glue! By using a strong wood adhesive, you can fix broken chairs, tables, benches, cabinets, photo frames and more, instead of replacing them. Perfect for saving your favourite wooden items from going to waste and saving you money.
Which is the best wood glue for your project?
EVO-STIK's range of wood adhesives includes interior wood glues, exterior wood glues, polyurethane wood adhesive and mitre adhesive kits. Each type of wood adhesive is suitable for different wood repairs:
- Wood Glue Interior: A D1 class wood adhesive, best for indoor wooden furniture repairs.
- Wood Glue Exterior: A D3 class wood adhesive, great for damp interiors or sheltered outdoor areas - one of our best wood glues for outdoor use.
- Polyurethane Wood Glue: A D4 class wood adhesive, great for damp interiors or outdoor areas exposed to the weather.
- Mitre Adhesive: A two-part wood adhesive comprising of a mitre glue and activator, best for instantly bonding interior mitre joints such as in skirting, picture frames and similar.
Why choose a 'D3' or 'D4' outdoor wood glue?
To ensure that your broken wood repair withstands the test of time in moisture prone areas, you'll need to choose a D3 or D4 wood adhesive. These wood glues are specifically formulated to create a waterproof and weatherproof bond that is strong and long-lasting against the elements. Use it to:
- Repair wooden garden chairs, benches, and tables.
- On outdoor wood projects like sheds, pergolas, and planters.
- On furniture in damp internal environments like kitchens, bathrooms or utility spaces, where water resistance is important.
Instructions
Cleaning tips for wood glue
Generally, a moist cloth will remove 'wet' adhesive easily, though take care not to spread the thin film onto nearby wood, which might be later varnished or painted.
Depending on where the excess wood glue may have wrongly been applied, use the following clean up methods:
- On skin: Wash with warm, soapy water. Never use acetone or solvents on skin.
- On furniture: Wash with warm, soapy water on a clean cloth. For dried glue, gently scrape it off.
Let's recap!
You've now discovered how to fix damaged wood furniture using wood glue. Next time you spot a wobbly joint on your wooden garden chair or have a broken wood toy, picture frame or similar, grab some wood adhesive and get to work.
In just a few simple steps, you’ll restore your broken wooden items, save money, and keep your much-loved wooden possessions out of the bin.
Disclaimer: This page contains AI-generated images for illustration purposes only.
Wood Glue Interior
Wood Glue Exterior
Polyurethane Wood Glue
