How many layers of glue do you use?

[Newbiee]

I always used 3 layers (2 on the rubber + 1 on the wood).

Recently i decided to move my rubbers but i was low on glue, so I decided to put on just 2 layers (1 on the rubber + 1 on the wood), they weren't thick layers, i can say that they were relatively thin, enough to stick and not come off. Surprisingly i thought it was much better this way! I gained more feeling and maybe speed. I don't think this is a placebo effect, because i expected it to look awful and even peel off after a few games, but the effect was the opposite, it was considerably better than before and even better glued. I feel like the more layers there are, more cushioning the impacts and consequently more feeling less contact with the wood... What do you think?

 

[Scarfed Garchomp]

Depends on the glue used as well. Finezip and No.15 give the best feeling when layered up, and in my experience so far, more watery glues do not feel as good when I use thick or multiple layers. Finezip and No.15 give a softer and bouncier feeling than other glues for me. But thinner layers of glue and less glue in general will absolutely give a clearer and more direct feeling as there is just less glue to absorb impact. In the end I think it depends on personal preference, I don't like the feeling of just 1 layer on rubber and blade, usually I do at least two on the rubber, but there are lots of players that prefer upwards of 3 or 4 layers. I think thicker glue jobs will also benefit harder sponge rubbers as well, especially with Hurricane and other non-porous style sponges- in my hands they feel more friendly and supportive on harder impacts with a bit more cushion from a thicker glue job.

 

[mcfly]

no15 gives bouncy feel when fresh. i usually do 2-3 layers on rubbers

 

[Newbiee]

Depends on the glue used as well. Finezip and No.15 give the best feeling when layered up, and in my experience so far, more watery glues do not feel as good when I use thick or multiple layers. Finezip and No.15 give a softer and bouncier feeling than other glues for me.

I feel the same! I felt what you said about more watery glues, it worked better with less.

 

[Newbiee]

4 layers on rubber. No15 or finezip. Most pro so the same

and on the blade?

 

[haggisv]

2 layers for me, 1 on the blade and one on the rubber, never had an issue. I use the Donic Vario Clean.

 

[Hurricane AON]

Butterfly free chack 2
2 on the rubber + 1 on the wood

 

[canonFH]

If I boost, then 2 layers of glue on rubber and one on wood. If I don't, then one layer on each.

But I don't have enough feeling to tell the difference between two different rubbers sometimes, let alone different glues or the number of layers. If it sticks, its good enough for me.

 

[kapahoo]

One on the rubber and one on the blade. As thin as possible for the rubber to stick to the blade.

 

[Leno]

I had the experience that no matter how many layers 3-4 with no. 15 would be fine as long as the layers are thin or spread out evenly. And if I put 2 thick layers the feeling is different and less engaging with the wood as you said above. I assume it has something to do how the glue dries and forms.

 

[WingTT]

One layer on each surface. If you are using a good glue that's all you need. I don't want to waste time waiting for multiple layers of glue to dry and I'd rather choose a different rubber than to try to tune with multiple layers of glue since there are so many choices in rubbers anyways.

 

[plunder]

Here is the translation of the bottle backside info of original Yinhe No.7018 glue from Alix:
"

使用方法：​

Usage Instructions:​

​

1. 使用前，先将胶水摇匀，涂胶时请顺着同一方向涂刷。
   Before use, shake the glue well. When applying, brush in the same direction.
2. 专业打底建议在海绵上均匀涂抹3–4遍，每遍用热风迅速吹干，底板一遍即可。
   For professional priming, it is recommended to apply 3–4 even coats on the sponge, quickly drying each layer with hot air. Apply one coat on the blade.
3. 普通贴合只需在海绵和底板上各涂抹1遍，用热风吹干至胶膜透明状即可。
   For regular gluing, just apply one coat each on the sponge and the blade, and blow dry with hot air until the glue film becomes transparent.

---

主要成分：​

Main Ingredients:​

天然橡胶乳液，高纯度无机溶液。​

Natural latex emulsion, high-purity inorganic solvent.​

​

---

注意事项：​

Precautions:​

​

1. 本品为水溶性液体，存放温度-5℃–32℃。
   This product is a water-based liquid. Storage temperature: -5°C to 32°C.
2. 阴凉处保存，用后拧紧，避免接触空气。
   Store in a cool, shaded place. Tighten the cap after use to avoid air exposure.
3. 本品无毒；但远离儿童，不得入眼和口。
   This product is non-toxic; however, keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes and mouth.
4. 开封后，保质期6个月。
   Shelf life after opening: 6 months.

---

执行标准：Q/YSRP38​

Execution Standard: Q/YSRP38​

​

等级：一等品​

Grade: First-class product​

​

生产日期：见外包装​

Production Date: See outer packaging​

​

检验：合格​

Inspection: Passed/Qualified​

​

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河北银河体育用品有限公司​

Hebei Yinhe Sporting Goods Co., Ltd.​

​

地址：河北省安新县同口镇​

Address: Tongkou Town, Anxin County, Hebei Province​

​

电话：0312-5273055​

Phone: 0312-5273055​

​

E-mail: [email protected]​

​

---

The barcode and QR code area is standard for product identification, no special text there.​

"

i ordered and got it in Apr 2025, production stamp "2024/09/04" (i.e. Sep 2024), came in a sealed(!) lock bag (which isn't airtight anymore once unsealed) including sponges/clamp, so it'll be good until end of Oct aha good to know. only 7 bucks shipped 150ml, highly recommend.

since i play Mercury, it should be a perfect match. i'll apply dis week. after 12 months of massive use, the Mercury (of 2024 production) seems to have reached its eol: while it is still perfectly playable, it has lost some of its tackiness, which is easily noticeable by how firmly the protective foil sticks to the rubber. the original Mercury (= pre-2024 production, without LARC number) was so much tackier. maybe future production units will be as tacky again.

 

[Taute]

I use the Butterfly Free Chack Pro II.
Always 1 layer on the sponge and 1 on the blade.
I never understood, why people apply 2-3 layers on a sponge..

 

[thisisit]

2 on rubber, 1 on blade for dry gluing. i find that if i do more than that, i get too much catapult effect.

i use my own glue formula.

 

[vossi39]

Since the switch to water based glue (Joola X Glue) I use one layer on rubber and one on blade.
X-Glue covers even porous sponges very well and there is no need for a second layer.

 

[Conehead]

I never understood, why people apply 2-3 layers on a sponge..

1. The more layers on the sponge the easier it is to remove the glue from it.
2. More layers of glue increase the speed. So rather than choosing the same rubber but with a thicker sponge, one can also stick to the rubber with the existing thickness and just add another layer of glue to increase the speed.

 

[Taute]

1. The more layers on the sponge the easier it is to remove the glue from it.
2. More layers of glue increase the speed. So rather than choosing the same rubber but with a thicker sponge, one can also stick to the rubber with the existing thickness and just add another layer of glue to increase the speed.

I never thought that a thicker layer would be easier to peel off...I always thought the opposite. When I need to boost my Dignic's, I struggle to peel off the glue..
I'll have to try it. Thank's.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

DHS no15, 2 on sponge, 1 on blade

 

[disaster3]

the same as above

 

[NetProphet]

I always used 3 layers (2 on the rubber + 1 on the wood).

Recently i decided to move my rubbers but i was low on glue, so I decided to put on just 2 layers (1 on the rubber + 1 on the wood), they weren't thick layers, i can say that they were relatively thin, enough to stick and not come off. Surprisingly i thought it was much better this way! I gained more feeling and maybe speed. I don't think this is a placebo effect, because i expected it to look awful and even peel off after a few games, but the effect was the opposite, it was considerably better than before and even better glued. I feel like the more layers there are, more cushioning the impacts and consequently more feeling less contact with the wood... What do you think?

I use DHS 15 with 2 layers on the rubber and one on the blade.

I've used one layer on the rubber before (as I was also low on glue) and it stuck just fine. Only issue was peeling glue from the rubber was a pain in the ass because it was so thin it was difficult to remove it. The thicker 2 layers peels off more easily. Of course if you only play your rubbers until they're worn out then this isn't an issue!

What do you mean when you say "I decided to move my rubbers"?
You put them onto a different blade?
Or you replaced them with new ones?

Unless the previous glue job was somehow awful there is no way you should notice such a big difference from regluing with 1 layer less.
A glue layer is typically <0.1mm. This should not contribute to such a feeling of control and speed as you describe.
What glue do you use?