Wood to wood takes a wood glue, and its water rating decides where it can go: indoors only, Type II for outdoor projects, or Type I for the wettest ones.
Gluing
Wood
solid wood, plywood, MDF
solid wood, plywood, MDF
Where
What holds
Wood glue or polyurethane glue
28 products have both surfaces on their makers’ lists.
The two ratings are lab tests on glued wood. For Type II, samples soak in water for four hours and dry in a 120°F oven, and the glue passes if nothing comes apart after three rounds. Type I is harder: four hours in boiling water, a 150°F oven, four more hours boiling, then a cool-down in water and a strength test.
Waterproof isn’t underwater
Even the Type I glues stop short of standing water. Titebond II and III and Gorilla Wood Glue Ultimate all say they aren’t for continuous submersion or below the waterline, so a boat hull or a part that sits in water needs a product made for that.
Clamping and temperature
Titebond’s advice for its glues: clamp a joint that isn’t under stress for at least 30 minutes, longer is better, and don’t put stress on it for 24 hours.
Each glue has a lowest working temperature for the glue, the air and the wood: 50°F for Titebond Original, 55°F for Titebond II and Gorilla Wood Glue, 47°F for Titebond III.
Original Gorilla Glue is different: dampen one surface first, and expect it to expand as it cures.
Cutting boards and salad bowls
Only some wood glues make a food claim, and only for indirect contact. Titebond says II Premium and III Ultimate are approved for it, naming cutting boards. Gorilla says its Wood Glue and Wood Glue Ultimate, once cured, can go into salad bowls and cutting boards. Other glues don’t claim it.
What wood glue won’t do
Carry a load. Titebond Original, II and III and Gorilla Wood Glue Ultimate are all marked not for structural or load-bearing joints. Screw or bolt anything that holds weight.
Stick to metal. These glues list wood only, and Titebond warns that II and III can corrode metal because of their low pH. See wood to metal.
Oily woods. Titebond asks you to call its technical team before gluing teak, ipe and other oily woods with II or III.
Some are. Titebond III, Gorilla Wood Glue Ultimate and Original Gorilla Glue pass the Type I test and are sold as waterproof. Titebond II and Gorilla Wood Glue are water resistant (Type II). Titebond Original isn't for damp places.
Can I use wood glue on plywood or MDF?
Yes. Gorilla lists natural wood composites for its wood glues, and Titebond lists hardboard and particleboard for Titebond Original.
How long before I can use the glued piece?
Titebond says not to stress a joint for 24 hours. Gorilla gives 24 hours for its wood glues to reach full strength.
The water ratings, times and limits come from Titebond’s and Gorilla’s product pages, data sheets and Titebond’s glue brochure, and the finder from each glue maker’s own surface list. Checked against published data from Gorilla Glue Company, Henkel, J-B Weld, Franklin International and Eclectic Products (plus 1 more).
See all 30 sources
Gorilla Glue Company, Gorilla Super Glue Gel: product page, FAQ and SDS (2025)
Gorilla Glue Company, Original Gorilla Glue: product page, FAQ and SDS (2024)