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Frequently Asked Questions

Gotta question for you, better answer now, yeah

Technical properties

  • What environmental conditions will Sugru work in?

    Sugru is amazingly robust. It can withstand temperatures between -50°C (-58°F) and 180°C (356°F), making it freezerproof, heatproof and dishwasherproof. It's also weatherproof, waterproof, UV-resistant and electrically insulating (up to 24v and under 1 amp). It's easy to clean with soap and water and equally happy in your washing machine and dishwasher. Sugru can also endure the ocean’s salt water. Just don't use it in direct contact with an open flame. That’s not a good idea.

  • What materials does Sugru bond to?

    Sugru sticks permanently to lots of stuff like ceramics, glass, metal, wood, rubber, and most plastics and fabrics.

    If you have any further questions, check out the TDS to find out more about Sugru’s adhesion strength.

  • What materials does Sugru not bond to?

    Like most adhesives, Sugru struggles to bond to plastics with certain oily finishes (such as polypropylene and polyethylene) and some powder-coated metals.

    If you want to use Sugru as an impression/moulding material, the best release agent we've found is soapy water. It doesn't leave any residue on the Sugru, and is very clean and easy to use. Our users also like to use cling film (Saran Wrap) or something greasy, e.g. petroleum jelly (Vaseline).

  • Is there something I can do to increase the shelf life?

    Yes! Store your unopened single-use packs in the fridge (or freezer) to multiply the number of months left to use them by up to 3 times (you’ll find the use-by date printed at the back of each single-use pack).

  • Will cured Sugru degrade over time?

    Under normal ambient conditions, Sugru does not degrade and will last and last. However, it will degrade if exposed to temperatures higher than 180°C. So we don’t recommend using Sugru in the oven, for example.

  • Is Sugru resistant to solvents and petrochemicals?

    Sugru, like most silicones, is not highly resistant to oils and petrochemicals, as they tend to allow ingress into the material causing it to swell and become soft and less durable, with the potential for particles or residue to release into the fuel.

    Sugru may also swell in some solvents and oils, as well as some strong acids and bases. This kind of swelling may affect some of Sugru’s properties such as its strength and adhesion.

  • Are you able to make transparent Sugru?

    We agree, this would be a cool addition to our range, but as the majority of materials that make Sugru special are non-transparent, the end result is non-transparent too. If you need a clear material, craft resin might be something worth considering.

  • Is Sugru eco-friendly?

    A small amount of Sugru can fix and help to prolong the life of many large, complex and disposable items, thereby contributing to the reduction in waste and supporting sustainability. In itself, as a material, Sugru isn’t particularly innovative from an environmental perspective.

    • Sugru is a silicone, and the same environmental guides that apply to general household silicones apply to Sugru.
    • Sugru is not petrochemical based, but it's not biodegradable.
    • Sugru is manufactured using a low-energy, low-heat, mixing process. This may not be the case for its raw ingredients.
    • We encourage using the minimum amount of Sugru possible for each job. You can also line up jobs so you can use any remaining product - a little Sugru goes a long way.
    • As a company, we do our utmost to operate in the most sustainable way possible. From our raw materials, waste reduction, recycling and energy consumption, we are acutely aware of our impact on the environment and make every effort minimise it.
    • We work hard to encourage a culture of repair and maintenance, and inspire a pragmatic approach to problem solving. We believe a simple change of perspective and behaviour will create a more sustainable future.

Safety

  • Is Sugru food safe?

    Sugu is not classified as toxic, but it’s not food safe either, so it shouldn’t be used in contact with food or drink. Also, please resist the urge to eat it (or feed it to your pets).

  • Is Sugru skin safe?

    Sugru contains a minuscule amount of sensitising ingredients, so can cause an allergic reaction in a very small number of people with sensitive skin or after constant, prolonged contact. For this reason, we don’t recommend Sugru is used anywhere it would be in constant contact with the skin, such as dental applications, prosthetics, headphones or eyeglasses, for example. Find more info on the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) - we have European and American versions available.

  • Can kids use Sugru?

    Kids love Sugru because it's just like Play Doh when it comes out of the pack. But our current formulation is not certified as child-safe, so children shouldn't use it. (We are working on this. So watch this space.)

    As for parents using Sugru around toddlers and small kids, we’ve seen lots of great parenting projects from our community such as making sharp corners safe, but we don’t recommend using Sugru if kids are likely to chew on it, as it could break off and cause a choke-hazard. And as it’s not food safe, it shouldn’t be put into the mouth.

  • I’m allergic to latex - is Sugru latex-free?

    Sugru doesn’t contain latex, but we cannot guarantee that at some point in the manufacturing process an operator wearing latex gloves hasn’t handled it.

User tips

  • How to best apply Sugru to ensure a strong bond?

    If you're applying Sugru to smooth surfaces, press Sugru firmly onto the surface, and then press it down along the edges so that there is no shadow/gap where the Sugru and surface meet. This step-by-step guide will show you how!

    If you're applying Sugru to porous surfaces, the key is to smear a thin base layer of Sugru and then build more Sugru on top of that (Sugru bonds brilliantly to itself). You can learn how to do it by watching this quick video tutorial.

    If you’re mounting something or attaching objects together, this useful video guide will show you how to do it. Basically, you need to press a blob of Sugru onto object A, shape the Sugru into a pyramid, and then press firmly onto object B, so that Sugru is squished between the two surfaces and oozes over the sides. To avoid Sugru being pulled away from surfaces while curing, we'd recommend securing the attached object in place with a strong tape (masking/painter's tape works very well, for example).

    To learn more techniques, check out the handy tips and projects on our Getting Started page.

  • Is there a limit on how thick you can build Sugru?

    You can build Sugru exactly the way you like it, but bear in mind that Sugru cures from the outside in and about 3mm deep every 24 hours at room temperature (21°C/70°F). If you build a very thick section, give it longer to fully set. Also, remember the thicker the layer, the less flexible it will be.

  • Will Sugru take longer to cure at lower temperatures?

    Sugru cures 3mm deep every 24 hours at room temperature (21°C/70°F) and will take longer to cure at temperatures that are below this point.

    A rule of thumb is that a 10°C reduction in temperature will approximately double the cure time (Google ‘Arrhenius equation’ if you’re feeling geeky!). So, as Sugru cures 3mm deep in 24 hours at 21°C, at 11°C we’re looking at approximately 48 hours curing time, at 1°C it’s approximately 96 hours, and so on.

  • If I’m not going to use the whole single-use pack, can I save the leftovers for later?

    Once you cut open the single-use pack, the moisture in the air will trigger the curing process. We tested a few methods of preserving Sugru and haven’t found a reliable way to save the leftovers yet, so we recommend lining up a few projects to make the most of Sugru in one go.

    If you're looking for some inspiration, you can find plenty of handy ideas on our website. Hop on to the Home & DIY section to find out how Sugru can help you organise your space, or check out our Tech & Gadget ideas and sort out these pesky cables!

  • Can I speed the curing process up?

    Moisture and heat are favourable to the curing process, but seeing as the environmental conditions that can be created at home are unlikely to have any considerable impact, we recommend allowing 24 hours per 3mm (if curing at room temperature).

  • How much weight can Sugru hold?

    It often depends on the application and forces involved. We generally recommend using Sugru for attaching and hanging objects that weigh up to 2kg (4.4lbs). Please take care if there's any risk in case of failure: safety first! 

  • Is Sugru removable?

    Absolutely. First, simply cut off the bulk of the Sugru using a knife or scalpel. You can then remove the residue with your nails and some tissue.

    If using Sugru on porous surfaces such as walls, unglazed ceramic surfaces or unvarnished wood, it is still removable, but may leave a stain.

    As for fabrics and leathers, once you've worked Sugru into fabric or leather, it may be difficult to remove completely, and is likely to leave traces.

    Check out our video tutorial on removing Sugru to learn techniques.

  • Can I texture Sugru?

    Sure thing! The best texturing technique is to gently and repeatedly roll your texture onto the surface rather than firmly pressing it on. We love the effect that a toothbrush achieves, and people also use pen tips, scalpel blades, fabric and many other everyday objects. If your texture tool is sticking to the Sugru, just dip it in some soapy water. A splash of washing up liquid in a glass of water will do it.

    If you want to know more, head over to the texturing guide!

  • How can I achieve a smooth surface finish?

    Use your fingertip (dry or dipped into some soapy water) to gently rub the surface of Sugru.

    Find more handy tips in this quick video on making your fixes look awesome.

  • Can I cut or sand cured Sugru?

    Yes, this works well if you want to shape cured Sugru. Do be aware that sanding Sugru will create a more porous surface than the naturally sealed surface achieved when Sugru is not sanded. Please ensure that you wear a mask when sanding, to avoid breathing in the dust.

    For carving and cutting cured Sugru, a sharp knife works best.

    All these techniques are shown in our video guide to cutting and sanding Sugru.

  • Can I paint Sugru?

    Sugru is a silicone and cures to a flexible rubber, so paint is likely to crack and flake from it. You can, however, mix and blend different Sugru colours together to achieve your desired shade.

    Find out more on our colour-mixing page!

  • Can I use Sugru for moulding?

    Yes, Sugru is excellent for making impressions of textures, details and shapes. Simply rub a fine layer of soapy water onto the surface you don't want Sugru to bond to. Many Sugru-ers also use cling film (Saran Wrap) or something greasy, e.g. petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to prevent Sugru from bonding to surfaces.

  • Sugru can be really sticky! Any tips on reducing that?

    The more you handle Sugru, the stickier it’ll get, so you might be kneading it a bit too much. Also…

    • Sugru is always a little firmer when used straight from the fridge. Which is the best place to store it if you wish to prolong its shelf life.
    • Some people let it rest for about 5 minutes after opening the pack; this helps to reduce the stickiness.
    • If Sugru is sticking to your fingers, just use dry tissue paper to wipe it off. You'll find that it sticks a lot less afterwards.

Community

  • How do you pronounce ‘Sugru’, and what does it actually mean?

    Sugru is pronounced ‘Sue-groo’. Jane, the inventor of Sugru, is Irish - and the word ‘Sugru’ is inspired by the Irish word for play :). When Jane was studying product design at the Royal College of Art in 2003, she had a creative epiphany. She realised that we don’t need more new stuff. We all have enough. She asked herself: what if, instead of buying new, everyone could easily adapt, improve, customise or repair the things they already have? Now a global community of over one million fixers, makers and do-ers (aka Sugru-ers) is using the world’s first mouldable glue to do just that.

  • So, how do I win Fix of the Month?!

    A: We’re open to all submissions – a winning application might be big or small, simple or complex, practical or wacky. It’s not an exact science, mainly because we love all hacks :)

    However, there are a couple of things to try to make sure that your project is primed to hit the *five multipack* jackpot…

    1. Great hacks deserve great photography!

    A bright, clear and in-focus image that really shows off your handiwork will always catch our attention. It might be a close-up of the hack on a plain background, or something that shows it off in its natural habitat.

    Daylight shots are always a good place to start.

    And a series of images is something we get really very excited about, especially if it shows a step-by-step and/or a before and after process.

    2. Share your story

    Once you’ve taken the picture, tell us a bit about the project. What problem did you fix? What made Sugru so suitable for it? How did you apply it? Did it save you money, or time, or both? Or earn you a bit of love at work or at home? Hearing your stories is the best part of working at Sugru. So please, don’t spare us any of the details!

    3. Pick your platform

    You can send your snaps directly to us here. We also love it when you share your projects with your friends and our community on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (#sugru)!

    One last thing - make sure you're receiving our awesome newsletter, as that’s where we announce the winners (we’ll email you too if you win). Subscribe to our newsletter here.

  • I’d like to talk about Sugru on my website/blog - how can I become an affiliate?

    We’re privileged to see our community of fixers, makers and do-ers growing every day, thanks to people who believe in Sugru as much as we do. If you have a website or a blog and you’d like to help us reach even more people, have a look at our affiliate programme page.

Sugru shop

Any questions left? We’d love to hear from you!

Chatting with Sugru-ers and answering your queries is our passion, so please don’t hesitate to drop us a line at [email protected] with any questions, suggestions, problems or feedback (or anything really). 

Our Customer Support Team will usually reply within 24 hours (we might occasionally take a little longer during busy times). 

Looking forward to hearing from you soon!