Saturday 24 November 2012

PVA Glue Base Coat Update (2)

After my previous failure when using PVA glue as a base coat (click here to see what went wrong) I've given it another go with a slightly better outcome. This time I applied the glue only to the middle of my nails, leaving a gap of a few millimetres around all four edges. This meant that my nail polish formed a seal over the glue so that water couldn't get in and moisten it.

This time my polish managed to last 48 hours, and had only come loose on one nail. The rest required a bit of assistance to remove the polish. I ran a cotton bud dipped in remover along the base of my nail to break the seal, and then coaxed the polish off with a wooden cuticle pusher. This is how it came off:

Polish after removal

Sorry for the poor quality photo, I had to use my phone camera. As you can see, the polish mostly came off in large chunks. It left some small patches of polish around the edges of my nails where the glue wasn't applied, but it came off very easily with some remover.

I'm still not satisfied with PVA glue as a base coat. While my application technique this time was more successful than my previous attempt, it did still fall off one of my nails and I doubt it would have lasted much longer on some of the others. Maybe it's the brand of glue I'm using? Those of you who have had success with PVA glue, care to share what brand of glue you're using? Or any other tips you might have?



6 comments:

  1. Hi Anthea, I used Bostik which sticks a bit too well. Have to say Essence's Peel-off works very well for me, lasting at least 3 days (but quite a ripoff of ~$3.45 for 8 ml of glue!). Maybe try diluting Bostik with water bit more for good value peel-off base, plus it's a very good craft glue. Very nice swatches BTW. Cheers, Ann

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    1. Thanks Ann, I'll give that a go. The one I currently have is a UHU one designed for kids so maybe that's why it has no staying power lol. As for the essence one...well let's just say that will be a last resort lol. Possibly the most overpriced glue ever!

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  2. I can't seem to get the glue to work correctly for myself either. While I didn't have the same problems as you, I was very dissapointed to find the glue also lifted off some of the top layer of my actual nail; leaving them weak & rough & uneven! Someone suggested I try using my normal base coat as a protector & then the glue, but still I had the same problem. I guess my problem was actually kind of the opposite of yours, lol, either way I just wish it'd turn out normally as it has for everyone else! For now I'll be sticking to the foil method to prevent further damage...sighhh :/

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    1. Eek! I don't think the glue should be lifting your nail too. Maybe try diluting your glue so it isn't as strong? I've heard from others that applying the glue over your base coat doesn't lead to an easy removal like it does (or is supposed to) when applied directly to your nail. I'm too impatient and fidgety to sit around with foil on my fingers so I end up scrubbing my glitter off. It's leaving my nails damaged though which is why I'm determined to find a glue that works!

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  3. I commented on your last post saying I was going to have a second attempt this weekend because on my first attempt there was no 'peel-off' at all (more like scratch and scrape off, and finally give in and use remover).

    Well my second attempt went brilliantly! Excited to do it again. I use one called 'craft and hobby glue' from Spotlight, it comes in a twist top bottle. I take the whole lid off and use a paintbrush to apply, and same as you, a big ol' glop in the middle of my nail, spread it out evenly. The first time I tried it I painted it really neatly and in hindsight, WAY too thin. This time it went heaps better - that was Saturday night and it's Monday now with only the teensiest bit of tip wear.

    If I hadn't got it to work this time I was going to hit a Bunnings and get Selley's, as I've seen bloggers using that brand and having success. Glad I don't need to!

    The downside for me is dry time on the glue. Easily took 15-20 to dry properly. Which is longer than foil method removal takes, so it gets time heavy at one end or the other but I'll pick my battles, meh. :)

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    1. I'm glad it worked for you! I'll have to check it out next time I'm at Spotlight. And yes it seems to be that we're spending more time at one end of the process, but I'd much rather wait for glue to dry than scrub at my nails or sit around with alfoil on me haha.

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