How to Read an Adhesive Tube Label

Product Name & Type 

This is often the largest text on the front of the tube. It will tell you what the adhesive is, and its general intended use.

• Ritetack: Its says in bold, ‘Ritetack Instant Grab Adhesive’.
• What it means: This glue is designed as an ‘instant grab’ adhesive, to eliminate the need for unsightly fixings, or tiresome clamping & propping.

Intended Use & Substrates

The label will often explicitly say what substrates are suitable for use alongside the adhesive. It is vital to make sure the material you are using falls within these suggested substrates.

• Ritetack: Suitable for stone, concrete, ceramic, timber, plasterboard, bricks, glass/mirror, most plastics, metals, cement fibre, MDF, aluminium.
• What it means: A suitable application would be gluing a mirror to a ceramic tiled wall in a bathroom. Both materials being used are on the list of suitable materials.

It is crucial that the materials that aren’t recommended for use alongside the adhesive are also read, to ensure that the material compound hasn’t been included as a coating, or outer layer on the main, suitable substrate.

• Ritetack: Not suitable for PE, PET, PP, PC, PMMA, PTFE, neoprene, bituminous substrates and continual water immersion.
• What it means: As an example, aluminium sheeting can often sprayed with a coating to protect it from corrosion, or improve the aesthetic appeal. A common coating used in this scenario is Polyester (PE), which isn’t recommended for use with Ritetack. However, a raw, uncoated aluminium sheet is definitely suitable for use with Ritetack.

Directions for Use

Often an adhesive tube label will give basic instructions on how to apply the product. Common points that are addressed on the label are surface preparation, and application method. These must be read carefully before you start applying the adhesive to your project.

• Ritetack:
  • Surface Preparation – Surfaces must be clean and sound. If necessary, use a primer.
  • Application Method – Apply with heavy duty applicator. Apply in vertical strips to the size of the V nozzle.
• What it means: In order to guarantee a secure, full-contact bond, the surface that you are applying the glue to must be free of any contaminants. For example, if the surface has a layer of flaking paint, the glue will adhere to the flaking material, instead of the solid surface behind it. It is likely that this will result in a failure as a full-contact bond hasn’t been made to a solid surface.

Safety Information & Warnings

It is vital that all Health and Safety information related to a product is read thoroughly before using it. Especially when it comes to adhesives. They can contain chemicals that are flammable, irritants, and can be harmful if ingested or inhaled. Common warnings can include ‘May cause skin and eye irritation’ and ‘Keep out of reach of children’. Universal symbols are often used on adhesive labels to warn the user of potential hazards – a flame represents a flammable element, an exclamation mark for irritants, and a skull for toxic substances.

• Ritetack: WARNING: May cause an allergic skin reaction. An exclamation mark is positioned on the left-hand side of this warning.
• What it means: This product contains ingredients that may cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction for some people. It is recommended that gloves are worn while using the product to help avoid direct contact with your skin. If irritation does occur, wash the affected area thoroughly to clean the skin. Seek medical advice if needed.

Storage Instructions

By following the storage instructions listed on the adhesive label, you are ensuring that the adhesive will remain useable during its shelf life.

• Ritetack: Eurotech Group warrants that its product complies, within its shelf life, to its specification. Graphic states 18 months as the product’s shelf life, and the temperature storage range as 5-25˚C.
• What it means: Storing Ritetack incorrectly can lead to the separation of its components, reduced bonding strength/initial tack or premature curing of the packaged adhesive.

Batch Number & Expiration Date

Ensuring the adhesive is within its 18-month shelf life is crucial, as its performance may deteriorate beyond this period.

• Ritetack: 4531306 (7-digit number)
• What it means: To ensure the adhesive is within its shelf life, please contact us to confirm the expiry date. Using an expired adhesive may result in project failure, or not perform as expected.