The best glue for plastic provides a strong, long-lasting hold. There are multiple choices, including a standard super glue, epoxy glue, and solvent cement.
Types Of Glue For Plastic
Not all glue types work well with plastic, but there are three that stand out:
- Cyanoacrylate (Super Glue) – Super glue is effective at bonding to a huge range of surfaces and materials, from wood to metal. But it does have its Achilles’ heel: plastic. The majority of super glues do a poor job when used with plastic, though you can find a few designed with plastic use in mind.
- Epoxy – Epoxies use a two-part formula (resin and hardener) that creates a much stronger bond on most materials—even for some plastics.
- Model Cement – Model cement uses a two-part formula (solvents and filler), and the two parts work together to melt and then bond the plastic. The downside is it cannot be used with other materials, so purchase this type if you have a lot of plastic bonding to do or an important DIY project.
Best Glue for Plastic
We’ve combed through 20 types of plastic glue, narrowing down the best choice for each project.
Top Choice: Gorilla Super Glue Gel
Gorilla Super Glue Gel works with most plastics, ceramic, wood, and rubber. It comes in a no-drip gel, making it easy to use. It features an impact-tough formula, so the bond holds with everyday use. The glue dries within 10-45 seconds with no clamping required.
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As with most superglues, Gorilla Glue doesn’t work on polyethylene or propylene plastics. You can use this glue for all other types of plastics, and it will bond plastic to plastic, plastic to metal, and plastic to wood.
Gorilla Super Glue Gel has a 4.5 out of 5-star rating with more than 56,000 reviews. Most positive reviewers claim the glue gel is easy to use and forms a strong bond. The biggest complaint was the short shelf due to the glue drying in the bottle.
Pros:
- Works on most plastics, metal, ceramic, and wood
- Non-drip gel formula makes for an easy application
- Dries in as little as 45 seconds and doesn’t require a clamp
Cons:
- Not suitable for polyethylene or propylene plastic
- Users complaints of product drying out in its packaging
Best Waterproof Plastic Glue: Loctite Epoxy Instant Mix
For waterproof plastic repairs, a product like Loctite Epoxy Instant Mix is what you need. It comes in a two-part, self-mixing applicator, and you can use it to fill gaps or bond plastic together. It’s suitable for plastic, metal, ceramic, tile, wood, and glass.
To use Loctite Epoxy Instant Mix, snap off the tab, attach the nozzle applicator, and apply the epoxy plastic glue where you need it. The bond sets in five minutes, and the item will be usable after 20 minutes. Since this is an epoxy glue, you can also sand and paint it if desired.
Loctite Epoxy Instant Mix is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by more than 9,500 users. Top reviews appreciate the self-mixing tube and claim this glue will bond to almost anything. A few negative reviewers report that the applicator is hard to use after the first use.
Pros:
- Can bond or fill in gaps and gouges on all types of plastic
- Waterproof, weather resistant, sandable, and paintable
- Bonds to most surfaces
- The self-mixing applicator is easy to use
Cons:
- Only comes with two nozzles, so you’ll only get 1-2 uses out of it
Best Plastic to Plastic: Loctite Plastics Bonding System
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For gluing plastic to plastic, Loctite Plastics Bonding System is hard to beat. It’s guaranteed to repair any plastic, and although it comes in a two-part system, it doesn’t require mixing. So if you have difficult-to-bond smooth plastic like polypropylene, this glue is worth a shot.
To use the Loctite Plastics Bonding System, start by roughing up smooth plastic with sandpaper. Then apply the activator to both pieces of plastic you’ll be bonding and allow it to sit for sixty seconds. Finally, apply the adhesive to one part of the plastic and push it into the other piece to connect. Hold for thirty seconds.
Loctite Plastics Bonding Systems has a 4 out of 5-star rating from over 3,700 reviewers. While most users say the product works as advertised, there are some complaints about the small size of the tube and the lid becoming glued shut.
Pros:
- Works to bond all types of plastic to plastic
- Easy to use two-part system
- Multipurpose – will bond plastic to multiple surfaces
Cons:
- Small .07 fl oz tube – may need multiple packages depending on the size of the job
Best Plastic Glue for Cars: J-B Weld Plastic Bonder
When you need to make plastic automotive repairs, you need a long-lasting adhesive. J-B Weld Plastic Bonder Body Panel adhesive is a two-part urethane system that works on carbon fiber composites, thermoplastics, thermosets, coated metal, and more.
This plastic glue for cars comes in a two-part syringe applicator. Mix equal parts in a disposable tray, apply it, and the glue will set in 15 minutes and cure in 30 minutes. It dries black.
J-B Weld Plastic Bonder has a 4.5 out of 5-star rating with over 11,800 reviews. Users praise this glue for leaving a super strong bond when fixing automotive or bike parts. The most frequent negative complaint is that the dispenser doesn’t dispense equal amounts of product.
Pros:
- Works on plastics, PVC, thermoplastic, composites, coated metals, and more
- Easy-to-use dispenser allows for a mess-free application
- Ideal for indoor and outdoor plastic bonding
- Sets up in 15 minutes and cures in 30 minutes
Best Plastic to Metal: Beast Bond Super Glue
Beast Bond is a max strength super glue that dries in ten seconds. It works on all types of plastics except PP and PE. You can use it to bond plastic to metal, but it’s also suitable for ceramic, wood, leather, rubber, paper, and more.
To use Beast Bond, apply one drop per square inch and hold your plastic to metal to form a bond. The glue will set within 10-45 seconds. Since this glue is a gel, you can use it on vertical applications without it running.
Beast Bond Super Glue has a 4 out of 5-star rating from over 500 users. Most users state that this glue creates a strong bond, but there are a few complaints that the adhesive is so thick it’s hard to get out of the bottle.
Pros:
- Works to bond most types of plastic to metal
- Dries crystal clear in as little as ten seconds
- Bonds many kinds of materials, including rubber
Cons:
- Ultra thick gel formula is hard to get out of the bottle
Best Plastic to Wood: PASCOFIX
PASCOFIX is a two-part system that’s over six times as strong as regular super glue. It’s heat and weather resistant and works on wood, plastic, metal, and other hard-to-bond items.
It comes with glue and filler. To use it, start by cleaning and drying the items you need to bond. Next, apply a drop of glue and hold the items together to form a bond. Then you can use alternating layers of the adhesive and filler to create a “weld” on the object. You can place the glue bottle in your freezer to keep it fresh for up to two years.
PASCOFIX is rated 4.5 out of stars by over 780 users. While most reviewers claim the product works as advertised, some were disappointed at the price versus the amount of product received.
Pros:
- Works to bond plastic to wood
- Creates a “weld-like” bond keeping items secured together
- Suitable for almost all surfaces
Cons:
- Expensive compared to similar options
How To Choose The Right Glue For The Job
When choosing the best glue for a DIY home project, consider two key components: your target material and project scale.
Target Material
Before shopping for glue, ask which materials you need to bond. In this case, you need to bond plastic. With this in mind, ask:
- Am I bonding plastic with plastic, or plastic with something else?
- Which type of plastic am I using?
The type of glue depends if you’re bonding plastic with plastic, or plastic with a different material. Plastic is nonporous, and other materials have various porosity levels. To bond materials, you need a special glue that chemically bonds to each material.
You need to know the type of plastic you’re working with because not all glues are good for all plastics. PP and PE plastics are difficult to bond, due to their hard and smooth surfaces.
These will require a formulated plastic glue to bond. Two other plastic types include:
- PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) – connecting pipes.
- PS (Polystyrene) – for household items like plastic bowls or food packaging.
- PMMA (Acrylic) – a substitute for glass in screens and windows
Remember: Any type of plastic is easier to bond when it’s clean and sanded.
Safety When Gluing Plastic
Super glues and epoxies can be dangerous if not handled properly.
A few things to remember before using plastic glue:
- Wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as thick gloves and goggles.
- Don’t inhale any of the fumes from the glue, as they can be dangerous. Wearing a mask is recommended.
- If the glue makes contact with your skin, wash it off right away using soap and warm water.
- If the glue makes contact with your eyes, flush your eyes right away and call a doctor or emergency hotline.
- Do not let children near the glue while in use, and keep the glue out of reach.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ
What Kind Of Glue Is Safe For The Microwave?
The quick and safe answer is: No. As super glue is fast-bonding and can stick to most materials, you don’t want to use it with wool, cotton, or anything placed in a microwave or oven.
However, items that have been bonded with a no-run formula super glue are safe for microwave use.
How To Repair Plastic Eyeglass Frames With Super Glue?
When you break your eyeglass frames, you need a DIY solution so you can use your glasses. You can fix your frames with superglue, but make sure you use the right kind of glue. The best super glue is one that can be sanded and dries clear. You don’t want the glue to affect your glasses and vision.
Epoxy resin is the best super glue for eyeglass frame repair. It’s stronger than super glue adhesives. UV activated super glue is another top choice. It works like normal superglue. The difference is UV superglue works after exposure to ultraviolet light.
Whatever you choose, super glue offers temporary but not permanent relief.
What Is The Best Glue For Plastic Piano Keys?
When repairing plastic piano keys, you should always use a soft adhesive. When you apply it to the broken keys, use as little as possible. You don’t want to jam the piano or glue the keys together.
What Is The Best Glue For A Plastic Refrigerator Handle?
When repairing a broken plastic refrigerator handle use solvent glue. You might have to surface prep the broken handle depending on how the handle was broken.
Is Gorilla Glue Good For Plastic?
It depends on the Gorilla Glue. The original formula is less effective than its super glue or epoxy formulas. The Super Glue and Epoxy formulas both do a great job of bonding most plastics, but can’t bond PP (polypropylene) or PE (polyethene).
What Is The Best Glue To Fix Plastic Toys?
The types of glue for fixing plastic toys are super glues designed for use on plastic and epoxy adhesives. Both adhesive types do a great job of bonding plastic. Adhesives are stronger than super glues.
The tradeoff is super glues dry and cure faster.
