Zip dry glue - need help

I know so many people swear by zip dry glue, but I am having such difficulty working with it. It is very HARD for me to actually apply the glue.

Seriously, I mean I can't use one hand to press the bottle. I actually have to use both my hands and press really hard to apply the glue.

Am I doing something wrong? Because if I needed all that exercise, I'd go to the gym instead of sitting on my couch trying to push few drops of glue through a nozzle.

Also, the glue doesn't spread evenly. It kinda "lumps up" a little, if you know what I mean. Is this expected?

However, I glued ribbon to chipboard and it seems to work well. That's great, but the other things are bugging me.

Aaaarrgh! Frustrated, more so because the way people went about it, I expected a lot more!

Some help needed.

I'm so glad you asked, because I've had the same problems!

It sounds like your bottle may be a little dried out. Have you had it long? Are you storing it with the flat cap and not the pointed applicator cap?

I love Zip Dry. It is my go to glue. I never touch my glue dots anymore, and really, in a pinch, I can use it for my entire project, from the paper layers to the embellishments.

Beacon Adhesives has great customer service. I would suggest giving them a call.

I love zip dry. My only problem is that the tip clogs up or drys then I have to stick a pin in it but that is the only problem. Sounds to me like it has dried up IN the bottle.

Using the flat cap is important but I always forget to switch them. I just take a big needle if I haven't used it in a while and stick it in the tip to clean it out. I think there is a learning curve to it. Once you figure it out, it's fantastic!

yeah, that sounds to me like the glue is old or something,,,,,you shouldn't get a work out squeezing that glue bottle :lol;

I love zip dry,,,,,,but i ALWAYS forget the flat cap,,,ALWAYS.

i just clean the thing out with a pin,,,,

My zip was extra thick out of the package but smoothed out nicely when I ran my bone folder over it. I had some get all dried out from improper storage. I just use a skewer and dig it out to use it like a glue dot. I don't use it too often because the smell gives me a headache.

Thanks to all of you for your replies. I got the glue earlier this week and used it for the first time yesterday. I had a huge "duh" moment when I tried to pull the safety-cap thingy instead of turning it. Ended up breaking the little triangle-thing on top (my, my aren't we being very succinct today).Anyway, that was my fault.

But I am not really sure why it is so hard for me. After using it, I used the flat cap to cover it. I tried cleaning the applicator tip with a pin.

But when I tried to use the glue after a couple of hours, I found that I was not able to get any glue out at all. I think even the "pathway" had clogged. How do you guys manage to clear with a pin - doesn't it take time?

Guess what I did? I must have been the only one in the history of Zip Dry to actually take some with the fingers and smear on paper!! Though I am not sure if that is safe.

Anyway, that's my story and I might not use another zip dry, unless someone gifts me

I'd be willing to bet you're not the ONLY person in history to do that

The thing with Zip Dry is that it does dry incredibly quickly. As soon as you use it, you have to put the little cap on, you can't leave it uncapped.
If you leave it uncapped, even for just a minute, the glue will dry inside the applicator tip.

When I use mine, if it's clogged, I only need to poke through the tip with a pin, not clean out the whole applicator tip.

have you tried cutting a bit more of the tip off?? Maybe the hole in your nozzel isn't large enough??

good point, Holly, I'd forgotten about that!

From Mike:

Hi Everyone,
I’m Mike the Glueologist!
I’m the Beacon Adhesive expert and can help with most any other glue in the market. So please feel free to ask me any questions. I promise to give you an honest answer and point you in the right direction, even if that direction is NOT a Beacon product.
If you ever need immediate help with a Beacon product, our hotline is open from 9AM-5PM Mon-Fri, Eastern Standard Time. Just call 800-865-7238. You can reach me directly at [email protected]. Feel free to contact us/me!
With Zip Dry, if it was fine when you bought it, but thickened up over time, it’s drying out. The main reason it dries out is because folks forget to replace the flat cap back on the bottle when storing it. The flat cap does not allow the glue to evaporate, the dispensing cap does. Always replace the flat cap on the bottle for storage.
If you bought it from the store and the glue was low in the bottle or seemed thick, then I must apologize, we forgot to put the metallic seal in the white cap. You can call customer service about that.
Some folks have mentioned that liquid glue left in the dispensing cap dries and clogs it. If glue is left over in the dispensing cap when you remove it for storage, insert a toothpick, wooden match, paper clip etc into the cap from the bottom. The wet glue will dry onto the inserted item. When it’s dry, the item can be pulled out of the cap and the glue will be stuck to it.
You can see our Glueologist videos on www.youtube.com/beaconadhesives. Please friend us or become a fan on FaceBook.
Thanks!

Holly, I thought of the same, but was hesitant to cut a lot by mistake. But right now, I don't think there's anything to lose. Gonna try your suggestion.

@glueologist: I think I experienced the second condition you mentioned! The glue level didn't seemed low, but it sure was thick!May be I'll try calling the customer service.

I have to clean out the pointed tip. I use a straightened paper clip AND tweezers. Loosen it by driving the paperclip in and out of the tip, then pull it out the opposite end with tweezers. Typically, I pull out a big wad that's dried around the cap.

The glue is pretty thick. I hold the bottle upside down until the glue is to the tip, then squeeze.

I just used it to make a crown for a Halloween costume, and it worked awesome!

Hi all,

I contacted Beacon Adhesives, Zip Dry glue makers and they immediately offered to replace the glue.

I got my package today and guess what? They have sent two zip dry glues!

I am very happy with the customer service. I am yet to try the new glue, but will give an update once I do.

Where do you locate the flat top?

• frndly1 Said:

It's how the glue comes when you buy it. It comes with the flat top on and the nozzle separately.

oh okay, thanks.

Hi all,

I finally tried my new glue yesterday and it worked fine! Just wanted to pass on the news. Thanks for all your suggestions.

Divya