Adhesives, Fillers & Fluids

About Adhesives, Fillers & Fluids

Adhesives, fillers and fluids represent the essential consumables that keep construction, renovation and maintenance projects running smoothly. This comprehensive category encompasses everything from powerful bonding agents and gap-filling compounds to specialist fluids for surface preparation and treatment. Whether you're working on new builds, restoration projects or everyday repairs, having the right adhesives, fillers and fluids to hand ensures professional results and long-lasting finishes across timber, masonry, plaster, metal and composite materials.

Modern adhesives have evolved far beyond traditional wood glues, now offering exceptional bonding strength for diverse materials including plastics, ceramics, glass and metals. Fillers serve the crucial purpose of preparing surfaces, repairing damage and creating smooth, paintable finishes, whilst specialist fluids handle everything from surface preparation and cleaning to protective treatments and equipment maintenance. These products form the backbone of any tradesperson's consumables inventory, working alongside power tools and hand tools to deliver quality workmanship.

The range includes quick-setting instant adhesives for time-sensitive repairs, flexible sealants for movement joints, rapid-drying fillers for efficient workflow, and specialist fluids such as wallpaper stripping solutions that make preparation work significantly easier. Professional-grade formulations deliver superior performance compared to household products, offering faster curing times, greater durability and compliance with relevant BS and EN standards for use across commercial and domestic applications throughout the UK.

Jargon Buster

Grab Adhesive

A high-strength, gap-filling adhesive that bonds instantly without requiring clamps or supports. Ideal for vertical applications and heavy materials like skirting boards, coving and wall panels.

Two-Part Epoxy

A professional adhesive system consisting of resin and hardener that must be mixed before application. Provides exceptional bond strength and chemical resistance once fully cured.

Ready-Mixed Filler

Pre-prepared filler compound supplied in tubs, ready for immediate application without mixing. Suitable for small repairs and touch-ups, though typically slower drying than powder fillers.

Polymer-Modified Compound

Fillers and adhesives enhanced with polymer additives to improve flexibility, adhesion and durability. Particularly useful for areas subject to movement or vibration.

VOC Content

Volatile Organic Compounds - chemicals that evaporate at room temperature. Lower VOC products are safer for indoor use and comply with UK health and environmental regulations.

Working Time

The period after mixing or application during which the product remains workable and can be shaped, smoothed or repositioned before curing begins.

Who Uses Adhesives, Fillers & Fluids?

• Plasterers and Dry Liners - for filling joints, repairing plasterwork and preparing surfaces for decoration
• Decorators and Painters - for surface preparation, filling imperfections and ensuring smooth finishes before painting
• Carpenters and Joiners - for bonding timber components, filling nail holes and securing architectural features
• General Builders - for all-purpose adhesion, repairs and surface treatment across multiple trades
• Kitchen and Bathroom Fitters - for installing worktops, splashbacks, panels and waterproof sealing
• Maintenance Engineers - for repairs, equipment servicing and emergency fixes across facilities
• Shop Fitters and Joiners - for installing display units, wall panels and decorative elements
• DIY Enthusiasts - for home improvement projects, furniture repairs and general household maintenance
• Property Maintenance Professionals - for ongoing repair work, tenant turnover preparation and building upkeep

How to Choose the Right Adhesives, Fillers & Fluids

Substrate Compatibility: Consider what materials you're bonding or filling. Different formulations work best on specific substrates - some adhesives excel with porous materials like wood and plaster, whilst others are engineered for non-porous surfaces such as metal, glass or plastic. Always check manufacturer specifications for compatibility with your intended materials.

Application Environment: Interior and exterior applications require different product characteristics. External-grade adhesives and fillers must withstand moisture, temperature fluctuations and UV exposure. Interior products often prioritise low odour and quick drying times. Consider whether the area is damp, such as bathrooms or kitchens, which require moisture-resistant formulations.

Curing and Drying Times: Project timescales significantly influence product selection. Rapid-setting compounds allow faster progression through work stages, whilst slower-curing products provide extended working time for complex applications. Balance speed against the need for adjustment time, particularly for critical alignments or large areas.

Strength Requirements: Match adhesive strength to the load-bearing demands of your application. Structural bonding requires high-strength formulations, whilst cosmetic repairs may only need standard-grade fillers. Consider factors such as weight, stress, vibration and potential impact when specifying products for professional installations.

Coverage and Economy: Calculate the quantity required based on coverage rates provided by manufacturers. Powder fillers typically offer better economy for large areas compared to ready-mixed alternatives. However, ready-mixed products eliminate waste from unused mixed material and suit smaller, frequent applications better.

Health and Safety Compliance: Check COSHH data sheets and ensure products meet HSE requirements for your working environment. Low-VOC formulations improve air quality during and after application, particularly important for occupied buildings or confined spaces. Solvent-free options provide safer alternatives for sensitive environments.

Popular Accessories

• Mixing Paddles and Drills - for thoroughly combining two-part products and powder-based compounds
• Application Spatulas and Scrapers - from filling knives to specialist spreaders for smooth, professional finishes
• Sanding Blocks and Abrasives - for preparing filled surfaces to a paint-ready standard
• Cartridge Guns and Applicators - for controlled dispensing of adhesives and sealants from tubes and cartridges
• Mixing Buckets and Boards - dedicated containers for preparing compounds without cross-contamination
• Protective Gloves and Barrier Cream - essential PPE for handling chemical products safely
• Surface Preparation Tools - including wire brushes, scrapers and cleaning fluids for optimal adhesion
• Dust Sheets and Masking Tape - for protecting surrounding areas during application

Safety Information

Many adhesives, fillers and fluids contain chemicals that require careful handling and appropriate PPE. Always work in well-ventilated areas, particularly when using solvent-based products or those with significant VOC content. Wear protective gloves to prevent skin contact and potential sensitisation - prolonged exposure can lead to allergic reactions. Safety glasses protect against splashes during mixing and application.

Consult COSHH data sheets before use, especially for professional applications where employees are regularly exposed to these materials. Some products may require respiratory protection in confined spaces or during extended use. Store adhesives and fluids according to manufacturer guidelines, keeping them away from heat sources and ensuring containers are properly sealed to prevent deterioration and maintain product performance.

Dispose of unused materials and contaminated application tools responsibly, following local authority guidelines for chemical waste. Never pour fluids down drains as they may contain substances harmful to the environment. Keep products out of reach of children and animals, and ensure adequate first aid facilities are available on site in accordance with HSE requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I wait before painting over filler?

Drying times vary significantly depending on filler type, depth of application and environmental conditions. Surface-dry ready-mixed fillers may feel touch-dry within 1-2 hours, but typically require 4-6 hours before sanding and 24 hours before painting for shallow fills. Powder fillers often dry faster, potentially ready for decoration within 2-3 hours for thin applications. However, deeper fills always require longer - as a general rule, allow an extra hour of drying time per additional millimetre of depth. High humidity extends drying times considerably, so factor in weather conditions, particularly for unheated spaces.

Can I use standard wood adhesive for outdoor projects?

Standard interior wood adhesives are not suitable for exterior use as they lack weather resistance and will fail when exposed to moisture and temperature variations. For outdoor applications, you must use adhesives specifically rated for exterior use - typically marked as D3 or D4 classification according to EN 204 standards. D3-rated adhesives handle occasional moisture exposure, whilst D4 provides full exterior durability for structural applications. These formulations contain additives that resist water penetration, prevent fungal growth and maintain bond strength through freeze-thaw cycles common in UK weather conditions.

What's the difference between decorator's caulk and filler?

Though often confused, these products serve different purposes. Fillers are rigid compounds designed for repairing holes, cracks and imperfections in solid substrates like plaster and timber. They dry hard, can be sanded smooth and accept paint well. Decorator's caulk remains permanently flexible, making it ideal for sealing gaps where movement occurs, such as between skirting boards and walls, around door frames, or where different materials meet. Caulk bridges gaps and accommodates seasonal expansion and contraction without cracking, whilst filler would fail in these applications. Using the correct product prevents subsequent cracking and ensures professional, long-lasting results.

Are low-VOC products as effective as traditional formulations?

Modern low-VOC adhesives, fillers and fluids match or exceed the performance of traditional solvent-based products in most applications. Advances in polymer chemistry have produced water-based formulations that deliver excellent adhesion, durability and weather resistance whilst significantly reducing harmful emissions. Low-VOC products are particularly advantageous for occupied buildings, schools, healthcare facilities and confined spaces where air quality is crucial. They also comply with increasingly stringent UK environmental regulations and contribute to better working conditions for tradespeople. The main consideration is extended drying times in some formulations, though rapid-cure low-VOC alternatives are now widely available.

How should I store opened containers of adhesives and fillers?

Proper storage significantly extends product life and maintains performance. Ready-mixed fillers and water-based adhesives must be protected from frost, which permanently damages their structure - store in temperatures above 5°C. After use, clean the rim of tubs thoroughly before resealing to ensure airtight closure, preventing surface skinning. Store containers upside-down when possible to create a moisture seal. Powder-based products require protection from humidity - keep original packaging sealed and store in dry conditions. Solvent-based adhesives need cool storage away from ignition sources. Most products remain usable for 12-18 months when stored correctly, though always check for separation, thickening or unpleasant odours before use.