For wood, look for ANSI/HPVA Type I: Titebond III and Gorilla Wood Glue Ultimate pass it and are sold as waterproof, while Titebond II and Gorilla Wood Glue pass the Type II water-resistance test. Even Titebond III and Gorilla Wood Glue Ultimate say they’re not for continuous submersion or use below the waterline. Gorilla says its super glue bond weakens over time with water.
Type I and Type II, as Titebond describes them
Both are water tests on glued specimens. For Type II, Titebond’s brochure says the specimens are soaked in water for four hours, then dried in a 120°F oven, and the glue passes if no delamination shows after three cycles. Type I means boiling water for four hours, the oven, four more hours of boiling, then cooling in water just before testing, and the specimens must meet strength and wood failure requirements.
Titebond’s own documents give different Type I oven temperatures: its brochure says 150°F, and its glue FAQ says 145°F for 20 hours. Either way, Titebond calls Type I the more rigorous test.
Wood glues and polyurethane
| Glue | Standard | Maker’s word | Limit the maker gives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Titebond III Ultimate | ANSI/HPVA Type I | “Proven waterproof”; “100% Waterproof” (product guide) | Not for continuous submersion or below the waterline |
| Gorilla Wood Glue Ultimate | ANSI/HPVA Type I | “Type I Waterproof” | Not for continuous submersion or below-waterline use |
| Original Gorilla Glue (polyurethane) | ANSI/HPVA Type I | “100% WATERPROOF” | Gorilla’s FAQ: can withstand soaking if the materials themselves aren’t significantly affected by the water |
| Titebond II Premium | ANSI Type II | “Weatherproof” (product guide); designed for exterior use | Not for continuous submersion or below the waterline |
| Gorilla Wood Glue | ANSI/HPVA Type II | Water resistant | Not for continual water exposure; outdoors only under cover |
| Clear Gorilla Glue (polyurethane) | ANSI/HPVA Type II | Water resistant; takes intermittent exposure | Not meant for a constant soak |
| DAP Weldwood Professional Wood Glue | Not stated | “Water Resistant” | Not stated |
| DAP Weldwood Original Wood Glue | Not stated | Data sheet: heat, water and solvent resistant | FAQ: interior grade only |
| Titebond Original | None claimed | Not stated | Not for exterior use or where moisture is likely |
From each product’s page, data sheet or FAQ, and Titebond’s product guide. DAP’s own documents differ on Weldwood Original, so we’d go by its FAQ and keep it indoors.
Super glue and epoxy
| Product | Maker’s word | Limit the maker gives |
|---|---|---|
| Gorilla Super Glue, Super Glue Gel | Not stated; outdoor: no | Gorilla’s comparison: the bond weakens over time when exposed to water |
| Loctite Super Glue Gel Control | “Moisture Resistant: Yes” | Not suitable for exterior applications |
| Loctite Super Glue Plastics Bonding System | Page: “Weatherproof” | Data sheet: not suitable for exterior applications |
| Loctite Glass Glue | Page: waterproof and dishwasher safe | Indoor use only; wait 1 week before the dishwasher; not on wet surfaces |
| Titebond Instant Bond | Not stated | Not for exterior use, due to slight softening with water |
| Gorilla Epoxy | Water resistant; withstands moderate exposure | Not for continual water exposure |
| Gorilla Epoxy Ultimate | “Waterproof” (description) | Its footnote: bonded wood should not be submerged or soaked |
| Loctite Epoxy Instant Mix 5 Minute, Epoxy Plastic, Epoxy Metal/Concrete | Water resistant | Not for continuous immersion, continuously wet areas or potable water systems |
| J-B Weld Original | Resistant to water, chemicals and fuel (FAQ) | Not stated |
| J-B Weld KwikWeld; PlasticWeld | Some resistance to water; limited resistance to water (FAQ) | Not stated |
| J-B Weld WaterWeld putty | Sets even under water | Not stated |
From each product’s page, data sheet or FAQ; where a page and a data sheet use different words, both are shown. Potable water means a drinking-water line: see food-safe glue for what such claims do and don’t cover.
Flexible, craft and construction glues
| Product | Maker’s word | Limit the maker gives |
|---|---|---|
| E6000 | Waterproof | Data sheet: not for items that contact food, drinking water or animals |
| E6000 Plus | Waterproof formula, for indoor and outdoor use | Not stated |
| Shoe Goo | Page: waterproof; FAQ: water resistant right after application | Not stated |
| Gorilla Clear Grip | Waterproof | Not stated |
| Gorilla Fabric Glue | Waterproof | Not stated |
| Loctite Vinyl, Fabric & Plastic Flexible Adhesive | Page: waterproof, for raincoats and wading pools; data sheet: water resistant | Not stated |
| Loctite Extreme Glue | Water resistant | Not for water immersion |
| Loctite Metal Glue | Water resistant | Not for prolonged immersion, aquariums or potable water |
| Loctite Shoe Glue | Water resistant | Not for constant water immersion |
| Gorilla Max Strength Construction Adhesive Clear | “Works Under Water”; “100% Waterproof”; surfaces can be wet | Not stated |
| Gorilla Construction Adhesive Ultimate | “Works under water”; “100% waterproof” | Not stated |
| Loctite PL Premium | Page: waterproof, goes on wet and frozen surfaces; data sheet: water resistant | Data sheet: not for marine or water submersion use |
| Liquid Nails Fuze*It Max (LN-3000) | “100% Waterproof” | Not stated |
| Liquid Nails Landscape Block & Stone (LN-905) | Data sheet: waterproof bond; page: weather-resistant | Not for water immersion; don’t apply to wet surfaces |
From each product’s page, FAQ or data sheet. “Not stated” means we found no submersion or immersion line for that product, not that it’s fine underwater.
A waterproof label doesn’t mean a glue can live underwater. Titebond III, Gorilla Wood Glue Ultimate, Gorilla Epoxy Ultimate (for bonded wood), Loctite PL Premium and Liquid Nails LN-905 each pair a waterproof claim with a submersion or immersion limit. For a boat below the waterline, an aquarium or a drinking-water line, we’d use only a product whose maker names that use.
Wet surfaces, tape and heat
A glue that survives water once cured isn’t necessarily one you can apply wet. Gorilla says Max Strength Construction Adhesive Clear can go on wet surfaces, while Loctite Glass Glue and Liquid Nails LN-905 say not to apply them to one. For a leak or a wet patch, see tape for wet surfaces.
Titebond calls Type I a water-resistance specification. For service temperatures, see heat-resistant glue.
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