You hit a common snag during your DIY project: choosing between Araldite and Gorilla Epoxy. It’s a big decision, like picking the best team for a big game, but crafting and fixing things is even more critical.
Both promise strong, reliable bonds for common DIY materials. Which one fits your job? Here’s how they compare where it matters: set time, strength, materials, and exposure limits.
Araldite
Araldite is like that reliable friend you call when you need to move a sofa up three flights of stairs. It’s a two-part epoxy resin that’s been sticking around since the 1940s, bonding everything from broken ceramics to the hopes and dreams of model airplane enthusiasts.
It’s renowned for its strength, durability, and chemical resistance. Mixing its resin and hardener starts a chemical romance that cures to a rock-hard finish, ideal for those jobs requiring a bond that’s tougher than a two-dollar steak.
Gorilla Epoxy
On the other hand, Gorilla Epoxy strides into the room with the confidence of a silverback. It’s also a two-part system consisting of resin and hardener but with a slight edge in user-friendliness.
Gorilla prides itself on its ease of application, with a syringe that dispenses both components in a perfect ratio, ensuring you don’t turn your DIY project into an accidental science experiment.
It sets in about 5 minutes; keep it clamped and undisturbed for roughly 30 minutes, and allow 24 hours for full cure.
When you’re in the middle of a DIY project and reach for some epoxy, the dilemma between grabbing a tube of Araldite or Gorilla Epoxy can feel like choosing between coffee or tea on a sleepy morning.
Both will wake you up, but they have their nuances. So, let’s break down this sticky situation with some friendly advice, using relatable analogies and a sprinkle of light humor.
How are they different?
Curing Time: The Waiting Game
Think of Araldite as the slow-cooked stew of the adhesive world. Cure time depends on the specific Araldite: Rapid sets in about 5 minutes, while Standard formulas need hours and reach high strength after an extended cure.
This extended curing time allows for adjustments and repositioning, making it the forgiving friend who doesn’t mind if you’re late.
Conversely, Gorilla Epoxy reaches about 3300 psi bond strength when fully cured, so it’s fast and strong for many materials. If you’re in a hurry, Gorilla is your go-to.
Strength: The Heavy Lifters
Both epoxies boast impressive strength, but Gorilla Epoxy sets quickly for early handling, and maximum strength arrives after a full 24-hour cure.
Think of Gorilla Epoxy as a gym enthusiast who loves to show off their lifting prowess. Araldite, while strong in its own right, is more like the endurance athlete – it may not impress you in the first minute, but it’s built for the long haul.
Versatility: The Jack of All Trades
Araldite shines in its versatility. It’s like the multi-tool you keep in your drawer, ready for various tasks, from fixing a broken vase to securing a loose tile.
Gorilla Epoxy, while versatile, is often preferred for tasks where its quick setting time and strength are crucial, like having a specialized tool that gets one job done exceptionally well.
How are they similar?
Durability: The Long-Term Commitment
Both Araldite and Gorilla Epoxy are in it for the long run. Think of them as friends who are there for you, rain or shine.
Both resist moisture and typical household conditions once cured, but long, continuous water exposure isn’t recommended for Gorilla Epoxy.
Ease of Use: The Friendly Helpers
Both are two-part systems mixed at 1:1; Gorilla’s dual-syringe helps dispense equal parts before mixing. They come with clear instructions, making mixing and applying epoxy a breeze for DIY enthusiasts of all levels.
Finish: The Aesthetes
For those who take pride in the appearance of their finished projects, Gorilla Epoxy cures clear; many Araldite variants cure clear or slightly amber, and both can be sanded and painted after cure. They’re like the finishing touch on a well-groomed outfit, ensuring your project looks as good as it holds.
What’s better about Araldite?
Araldite epoxies are known for strong, durable bonds; choose the specific formula (Rapid, Standard, or specialty) for the job. This is the heavyweight champion for tasks that demand a durable, lasting bond.
It’s also resistant to various chemicals, temperatures, and rough handling, making it the go-to for everything from fixing your favorite garden gnome to crafting a homemade kayak.
Araldite also offers a longer working time, allowing you to adjust and align your materials just right before the curing process locks everything in place for what seems like an eternity.
What’s better about Gorilla Epoxy?
Gorilla Epoxy, meanwhile, wins points for its user-friendly approach. The easy-to-use syringe dispenses an equal mix of resin and hardener, making it nearly foolproof and reducing the chances of ending up with a gluey mess instead of a bond.
It’s also notable for its rapid setting time, allowing you to move on with your project without watching glue dry.
Gorilla Epoxy bonds wood, metal, glass, ceramics, some plastics, and more when properly prepped; check the label for any material exclusions.
Who should get Araldite (and why)?
Araldite is the hero for the patient planner, the thorough crafter, and the DIYer who demands industrial-strength bonding.
Araldite can work for outdoor or automotive repairs when the chosen formula’s temperature and exposure limits are respected.
Its superior strength and durability mean you can trust it to hold fast, come rain or shine, heatwave or frost.
Who should get Gorilla Epoxy (and why)?
Gorilla Epoxy is perfect for the impatient creator, the quick fixer, and anyone who appreciates an easy application process.
Gorilla is your best bet if you’re working on various projects and need a versatile, strong adhesive that sets quickly.
It’s ideal for those “oops” moments that need a quick repair or creative projects that require a strong bond without a long wait. Whether fixing a broken vase or creating custom jewelry, Gorilla Epoxy has your back—and fast.
I will always choose the 24-hour Araldite it has never failed me in 60 years of me using it. My Engineer Brother (Ross) introduced it to me when I was a boy.