If there is any surplus glue then it’s best to leave this until it’s hardened off at which point you can scrape it off with a knife or scraper.

During use: Use the gun in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling glue vapours. Make sure it has a stable stand to rest upright when not in use, and don't rest it on its side. When the gun is switched on, focus on the glueing task and do not look away unless it's rested securely. If you need to leave it unattended, switch it off at the wall.Never use a glue gun tilted upwards or overhead. Always work in a well lit area free from any obstructions and clutter so that you can see what you are doing and won’t be constantly tripping over or working around objects that are in the way. Additionally, if the surfaces you are gluing are polished or very shiny, gluing them together as-is may not be that effective as the glue will have very little to bond to.Whilst waiting for your glue gun to get up to temperature, now is a good time to do any prep work needed to the items you’re gluing.

These guns are often referred to as High Temp and Low Temp glue guns. They have fixed settings 195°C for high temp guns and 130°C for low temp. In some cases (for example the Tec 820-12 and Tec 820-15), these glue guns have adjustable temperatures, from low to high melt. The lower temperature glue guns are more suitable for more delicate items such cloth/material, paper, card etc. These guns tend to be used more by hobbyists and those involved with arts and crafts. High melt glue guns have a wider selection of adhesive formulations to choose from. Covering off the bonding of more challenging materials like polypropylene, plastics, ABS, acrylics and even metals. Try our Glue Selector At Bostik, we have two types of hot glue gun, Bostik Handy Hot Melt Glue Gun and Bostik DIY Hot Melt Glue Gun. Both provide strong adhesion to most materials like paper, wood, metal, glass, card, as well as many craft materials, so you can repair or create almost anything. Working in a well ventilated area is also very important. Under normal operating conditions both hot and cool melt glue should not be dangerous, but if overheated then toxic vapours can be released.Essentially, standard glue guns come in two different formats; high temperature hot melt and low temperature cool melt. In reality the type of glue gun for you will be dictated to you by the type of job you need it for. Hot glue is perfect for securing your items in place whilst also providing you with a flexible bond – which many super glues or craft glues cannot achieve. Super glues can often be too strong and brittle to use in craft projects, while general craft glues may not provide as great strength as hot glue. A hot glue gun can be the perfect balance between the two! Before you can start using your glue gun you will first need to get it up to temperature so that when you pull the trigger the glue flows freely through the nozzle. In terms of drying time, you might be asking yourself; How long does it take hot glue to dry? In answer, allow at least 5 minutes before moving anything to ensure the glue has time to set.