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.
What you’ll need
Now you know the best wood glue for your furniture repair and environment, discover the must-have items you'll need before you get gluing:
For interior applications:
For exterior applications:
- EVO-STIK Wood Glue Exterior or Polyurethane Wood Glue – our best wood glues for outdoor furniture repair
Optional:
- Sandpaper – to smooth rough edges before gluing
- Clamps – to hold the chair together while the glue sets
- Clean cloth and warm soapy water - to remove excess 'wet' adhesive
- Scraper – to remove dried glue
Step-by-step: How to repair a broken wooden chair with wood glue
Step 1: Prepare the surfaces
Clean the broken parts of the chair, ensuring they're free from dust, grease, or old glue.
Do I need to sand the surface, before gluing? It depends on the wood’s condition. Rough, dirty, or uneven surfaces should be lightly sanded to help the glue adhere properly. Always ensure the wood is clean and dry before applying wood glue.
Step 2: Apply the wood glue
Squeeze a small amount of wood adhesive onto the surfaces that need joining. A thin, even layer is best.
In applications that require a greater bond strength, apply the product to all surfaces to be bonded.
Step 3: Assemble the chair
Fit the pieces back together and check that they line up properly. You’ll have about 10 minutes to adjust your positioning before the glue starts to set.
Step 4: Clamp and let dry
Hold or clamp the pieces firmly in place during the initial setting period. Then, leave them to dry for a few hours; full cure is achieved in 24 hours.
Once set, your broken wooden chair will be fixed and ready to use again – good as new!
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.
