Asked on Mar 03, 2017

Are there Hot Glue Gun Sticks that dry clear?

I recently bought some glue sticks for my hot glue gun, I was disappointed that the glue did not dry clear as I had hoped. I thought I remember having glue sticks in the past that dried clear. Is there a special kind of glue stick that I can use that is clear and not translucent, and where to I find/buy it?


This is a picture of my glue gun and glue sticks I bought.


Here is a project I was working on and the center glass rock is clear but became translucent because of the hot glue.
  13 answers
  • Judy Judy on Mar 05, 2017

    Why not use an extra strong clear glue?

  • Mehartgallery Mehartgallery on Mar 07, 2017

    Hot glue usually dries to the same color as the glue stick is. You could try 5 minute epoxy as a glue (2 parts that are mixed together, and cure within 5 minutes.)

  • Shannon W Shannon W on Mar 08, 2017

    Lots of people swear by E6000 adhesive as it is an industrial strength (I hear) and supposed to dry clear. I got some at Joann or Michael's with a coupon but haven't tried it yet. Good luck!

  • Shannon W Shannon W on Mar 08, 2017

    Just saw this post on another Hometalk article :)

    "E-6000. Trick is to not touch it, don't move it, don't breathe on it, don't even look at it for 24 hours. At 23 hours and 59 minutes, leave it alone. At the 24 hour mark, you are good to go and it's amazing. I've been a glass artist and used this to adhere dichroic glass to metal or to other glass bits for years. It also stinks bit until it dries, so ventilate well." Hope it helps...

    • See 3 previous
    • Irish Pack Irish Pack on Mar 10, 2017

      I tried E6000 for that project with the glass stones, and they kept sliding off. I had never used E6000 before, but the project that I saw called for it. I was really disappointed.

  • Judy Judy on Mar 09, 2017

    E6000 is great. Go to the nearest craft store and look in the glue aisle. An employee should be able to suggest the best ones for you. I use Loctite Instant frequently. Home Depot or Lowes also sell great glues. They also have great cutomer service. Good luck!

  • Cindy Craw Cindy Craw on Mar 09, 2017

    I recently read that the hot glue sticks you use should be made by the same company that made your glue gun. That may make a difference in the outcome. (Maybe it has to do with temperature variations. There are high-temp, low-temp, and multipurpose glue sticks.) The AdTech glue sticks I bought for my AdTech gun melted clear. The package did not specify the color, but they looked like they'd dry clear, and it says "non-yellowing" on the package. I just lucked out. I also found that a company called Unique Bargains makes glue guns and colored glue sticks: blue, teal blue, black, silver tone glitter, gold tone glitter, dark purple, green, coffee brown, beige, and Oyster white. Sounds like you could achieve a multitude of fun effects.

  • Kathy Kathy on Apr 20, 2017

    All my glue sticks turn clear!!


  • Maria Noble Maria Noble on Apr 21, 2017

    your sticks looks bit opaque - looks for the real transparent ones - it should work..

  • Jennifer Jennifer on Jul 31, 2018

    IM with you , I have been on the hunt for two years , ever since the cold heat glue gun was discontinued , I have bought every group gone on the market and every glue stick you can imagine and when I finally realized about this glue gun I was forever Chasing when I finally found it on eBay , it was terrible , what I realized was it thing was the glue sticks and there no wear to be found. I know I’m not being helpful and I really truly apologize but I just want you to know that I totally feel your pain I’ve bought gorilla glue sticks I’ve bought ad tech, Ive bought Joanne, Ive bought everyone on the market , every brand name , every no name I’ve bought everyone that looks clear and it never dries completely clear and right now I’m doing a project I need good clear glue for and I bought like 18 different Kinds of glue . 3 glue guns , nothing works perfectly , except clear gorilla glue no foam formula , The problem is for me though as it doesn’t catch enough but if you’re doing applied project that’s flat it will definitely work and it dries 1000% clear . So actually I hope it did help XOXO

  • Kyran wolfe Kyran wolfe on Oct 14, 2019

    i found out (because i was having the same problem) that if you run a lighter near not on or to close but enough to heat you can make it turn clear

  • Kyran wolfe Kyran wolfe on Oct 14, 2019

    if you rn a lighter not on/to close but near enough to catch heat it should clearin up

  • Melodie Jones Melodie Jones on Oct 20, 2021

    I did a search on the subject, that's how I got here. But I had an idea that might help. I hope you still check this. Perhaps use a glue dot on the clear ones. It should hold it in place and be clear.