| Glue type | Natural protein glue |
| Open time | 10 minutes |
| Total assembly time | 20 to 30 minutes |
| Minimum temperature | 10 degrees Celsius |
| Water resistance | none, interior only |
| Colour wet / glue line | amber / translucent |
| Solids / viscosity / pH | 52% / 4,000 cps / 6.5 |
| Reversible | yes, with heat and moisture |
| Shelf life | 24 months unopened |
| Container | 118 ml |
| Item number | ZL-501/2 |
Titebond wood glues come from Franklin International in Ohio, USA, and C.A. Götz jr. GmbH distributes them in Europe. Franklin sets out simple ground rules for working with them: the surfaces are clean, free of grease and dry, the wooden parts fit as closely as possible, the glue is applied generously on wood, and the joint is pressed together under pressure. If the glue has settled in the bottle, shake it well.
Titebond Original, II and III dry completely, without a soft residue in the joint that would absorb vibration. Titebond Original remains water-soluble, and its joint can be opened again with water and warmth. Titebond II and III are not water-soluble once cured; steam does not open these joints.
According to Franklin, Titebond Original Hide Glue (501) was the first hide glue in liquid, ready-to-use form. It is formulated like a classic hot hide glue but needs neither cooking nor heating, and it gives comfortable open time for application. The long drying time allows the parts to be positioned with care.
The bond is stronger than the wood itself and resists most solvents, varnishes, resins and sealers. It bonds wood, leather and other porous materials.
Once closed, the joint stays under pressure for at least 12 hours. It is worked above 10 °C and stored at no more than 21 °C, and it must not freeze. Once the glue has become thin and watery, it is no longer used.
Hide glue is water-soluble and a joint reopens under water, so it is not intended for bonds exposed to water.
Titebond is our main adhesive in string instrument making. For violins we mostly reach for Titebond Original, because its joint can be opened again with water and warmth when a repair is needed later. For oily timber we recommend Titebond III Ultimate with the green label, with a test joint beforehand. With bog oak, which is hard to glue because of its high sulphur and salt content, Titebond III has proved the best of the Titebond glues for us.
No, as long as the cap was not pulled open this is normal, because the cap itself seals the bottle.
With a hot air gun and careful pressure, or with acetone as a last resort, protecting the surrounding varnish. Steam does not work with these two glues.
None of the Titebond wood glues withstands around 200 °C without losing its properties. That temperature lies above the charring point even of Titebond III Ultimate.
No, it is ready to use and is applied without cooking or heating.
At least 12 hours under pressure.
Well sealed, a very long time; the expiry date depends on the batch and is usually around two years. Once it has become thin and watery, it is spent.
These texts hold decades of experience and a great deal of heart. They are protected by copyright, C.A. Götz jr. GmbH. Please ask us before any use. Thank you for your appreciation.