So, I was googling how to thin Zip Dry glue and came across this post talking about the glue thickening up on a scrapbooking site. Might help other Zip Dry users out there:
Hi everyone,
My name is Karen and I work for Beacon Adhesives, the makers of Zip Dry as well as many other adhesives. I came across this thread and sent it to Mike, Beacon's Glueologist, so he could shed light on this. Here is his reply:
Hello Everyone,
I’m very sorry to hear so many of you are having problems with Zip Dry thickening up. It thickens because it is drying. There are three reasons why the glue will dry in the bottle.
1.The wrong white cap was applied at the factory. This would be evident when you actually buy the product, if you notice the glue level is low in the bottle while it’s at the store, that bottle is defective, please select another bottle.
(We figured that one out and have long stopped using the wrong caps. Having said that, you may be witnessing some remnant bottles)
2.Not replacing the flat cap after use has long been a cause of evaporation. The glue will start to dry through the applicator cap. Please remove the applicator cap after use and put the flat white cap back on.
3.Cutting too much off the applicator tip and holding the bottle upside down during use. When you cut too much off the tip of the applicator cap, too much air gets into the bottle. Holding the bottle upside down allows the air to travel through the glue in the form of a bubble which ends up at the bottom of the bottle. When you stand the bottle up again, the bubble flows through the bottle again and escapes through the hole at the tip of the applicator top. Too much air flowing in and out of the bottle will dry the glue out quickly. Hold the bottle at a 45 degree angle during use so not so much air can enter the bottle.
HELPFUL HINTS:
Un-Do will thin out Zip Dry. Use it if the glue is thicker than usual.
Apply Vaseline or petroleum jelly to the applicator cap. That prevents strings from forming.
Another way to prevent strings is to snap the applicator cap away from the surface after applying the glue.
I found the best way to clean out the applicator cap after use is to let it drain a bit, then I stick a wooden match into the cap and set is aside to dry. The next day when it’s dry, I just pull the match out. All the dried glue sticks to the cap and none of it sticks to the inside of the cap.
Did you know that if you get too much Zip Dry on your project you can rub it away? Hold your piece in place and pick up the excess with your finger. You can smear that on a scrap paper. Then with your finger, rub away the balance of the moist glue. It balls up and it’s all gone.
If you want to see a Zip Dry Demo, please visit:
Also if you have any questions, please feel free to email me.
Thanks, Mike
Mike Assile
Glueologist
973.427.3700 ext 305