Best Adhesive For Plastic | A Stiffer Adhesion For An Impeccable Patch-up

by Joost Nusselder | Updated on:  August 23, 2021
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You’ll always stumble upon some broken plastic commodity here and there. Most adhesives will impeccably fail in providing any solution for such a case. Basically, rarely adhesives can hold together plastics as welding using a soldering iron. These best adhesive for plastic will definitely not let you down.

Being a non-porous, smooth material, it is hard to bond two plastic pieces together if you are not using the right adhesive. Moreover, different surfaces may need different glue treatments. You may also like to use the glue for multi-material surfaces. Our buying guide takes you through the right information you need & helps you to grab the right adhesive.

Best-Adhesive-For-Plastic

Adhesive for Plastic buying guide

Here’s the most descriptive way to choose the best adhesive for your plastic repair. Go through every single information and grab the best suit for you.

Best-Adhesive-For-Plastic-Review

Material

You have to have a clear idea about the surface that you’ll be using these adhesives on.  The surface type will vary with the plastic-type which will play a vital role in choosing the best adhesive. So, that’s also a matter of consideration.

There are two types of plastics- hard plastic (table, chairs, toys, etc.) & soft plastic (plastic bottles, packets, etc.). You may encounter a need for an accelerator with some glues to use them on soft plastics. On the contrary, some glues may not be suitable for hard plastics.

The glues we are suggesting here can be applied on multi-material surfaces like- plastic, ceramic, wood, metal, paper, rubber even sometimes on polyethylene, polypropylene. So, you are getting the best results here.

Clamping or Drying Period

It may be the most important point to note while you are searching for the top adhesive for plastic. People always prefer glue having a quick setting and drying time. Clamping may not be required for most of your glue applies. However, if you want to be sure that the superglue bonds the materials tightly together, the clamping must be done next to glue application.

Normally a suitable super glue does its job and gets dry in a couple of 10 seconds. So, you don’t have to go through the hassle of waiting too much in order for the superglue to be arranged and dried. This kind of glue also makes your job faster and save time.

If you are doing softworks like painting, these quick setting glues will make you pleased in a tremendous way. The clamping time also depends on the relevant surfaces or material you are dealing with.

Cap of The Glue

A lot of people overlook the cap and nozzle of the superglue they are buying. But these two things should be examined carefully. Because you will not use the glue a single time. It assures your glue to be sturdy and fresh whenever you use it.

The glues with having a screw-on cap ensure better that the air doesn’t get an entry to the tube. Otherwise, the glue would get dry. It is not a good idea to use an external brush or applicator to apply the glue on plastic. So, you should have a look over how the nozzle is adjusted to the tube. Most of the time, the nozzle is adjusted in such a way that it can be used for applying the adhesive.

The nozzle should be pointy and long enough so that you can have a precise flow glue even in close-fitting materials. You have to also ensure that the nozzle is clog-free so that you can make an effortless use whenever you need it.

The Glue Thickness

Ultra-thin, Medium and thick- these three kinds of glues are available in the market in terms of viscosity or thickness. Every one of them has a unique feature to make you buy. The thick glue is mostly used for vertical purposes.

Thick glue doesn’t run and take comparatively more time to dry than other glues. So, you get more time to adjust your model correctly. The medium glue also gives you time to adjust your model. But they dry faster than the thick glue. The ultra-thin glue is more like liquid and dries faster. This glue spreads to the surface evenly.

This ultra-thin glue is a better choice for you if you are bonding close-fitting surfaces. This glue is also a little bit runny that can make the surface messy sometimes. But won’t damage the surface too much for its quick-drying attitude.

Cost

Always consider the price of the glue while you are going to make a buy. The quantity should meet the price. Sometimes the high price products are not good. That doesn’t say that you should go with the cheapest choice all the time. Try to ensure that the glue meets up your requirements and is affordable enough for you.

Best Adhesives for Plastic reviewed

We have got the best adhesives from the best brands to provide your plastic a perfect fixing. Embrace the best one.

1. Gorilla Super Glue Gel, 20 Gram, Clear

Best Prominences

You are going to have a quick bond experience with this ‘Gorilla’ creation. This super glue dries in just 10-30 seconds without the requirement of any kind of clamping. This glue bonds plastic, ceramic, wood, metal, leather, rubber, paper, and so on. It is also known as cyanoacrylate & can withstand drops and impacts superbly. So, on a slight note, it can be considered as a glue for metal.

You are getting an anti-clog cape along with a metal pin. So, the glue gel is not going to dry out for its airtightness. Your vertical applications and multiple surfaces are going to be fixed with this adhesive glue with a better-controlled formula. The glue is thicker and easy to use.

Your plastics will undergo gorilla toughness every time. This product is going to provide you the maximum reusability making your investment worth. But it is not helping you in terms of polyethylene or polypropylene plastic.

Blemishes

If you’ve got very sensitive sinuses, eyes, and use this glue, it’ll irritate you with its whiffs. The smell may appear to you worse than other brands in this case.

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2. Cement Glue Value Pack Testors 2-7/8 fl oz tubes

Best Prominences

It’s an offer to you for plastic models from Testors. It’s a value pack cement tube of 7/8oz. This is a rapid drying cement for plastic samples. You’ll get a better seam in terms of polystyrene to wood or polystyrene to polystyrene with this product.

You can also get help from this product for repairing your household items made of ABS plastic or polystyrene. You are getting two tubes at a very reasonable price with 4 precise glue tips. So, the bulk value grabs your interest here.

You have to keep the glue away from sparks, flame, heat. And make sure that you have adequate ventilation while using it. Also, make sure that it remains away from children. You have to be 14 years old or up for using this product.

Blemishes

This cement glue contains toluene. So, you can encounter an irritation with your eyes, skin, throat, noses. You have to be extra careful while using it.

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3. Professional Grade Cyanoacrylate (CA)”Super Glue” by Glue Masters

Best Prominences

Glue Masters brings you this master product with the best features you ever get at such a reasonable price in the market. The product maintains a premium quality in industrial strength and the mightiest bond with cyanoacrylate resin.

This quick fixing superglue shows you the magic in just 60 seconds. You’ll only need a tiny amount of it to fix something. This glue includes a well-adjusted thick viscosity to satisfy the users’ more control for avoiding any kind of mess or hassle.

The product is so versatile. You can use it for carpentry and general household works. It can work on fabric, wood, plastic and more. Even you can fix your shoe sole with it. You are getting an unbelievable 60 days return guarantee with this. It doesn’t matter how much you used the product. You are most welcome to send it back in case of your dissatisfaction.

Blemishes

When you use the glue after the first use, you may face trouble opening the bottle tip. It is because the cap sets up hard in the applicator tip. It’s a little hassle for getting the desired flow.

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4. J-B Weld 50139 Plastic Bonder Body Panel Adhesive and Gap Filler Syringe

Best Prominences

This J-B weld product is a multipurpose super glue that includes a two-part urethane adhesive. Your plastic surfaces get a long-lasting and mighty grip for its extraordinary gap-filling system. Whether you are looking for a bumper repair or filling dents, it’s an excellent choice for you.

The glue works greatly on DIY plastic. Moreover, surface applications on PVC, ceramic & tile, fiberglass, thermoplastics, and coated metals, concrete, aluminum, and thermoset & carbon fiber composites have made the glue application more versatile. You are being provided the strongest bond with a tensile strength of 3770 PSI with the product.

The glue appears in a unique syringe which includes a re-sealable cap. So, there’s no unexpected leaking and drying out. You can experience an easy 1:1 mix ratio with the syringe. Thus two-part formula is used while applying the glue on something. It’s a matter of 15 minutes only to set and thirty hours to be cured. The cured color is black.

Blemishes

The glue may dishearten you when you are using it on polypropylene types. As it may not adhere to the polypropylene & will make you experience a clear break in that case.

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5. Loctite Super Glue Plastics Bonding System with Activator 2-Gram

Best Prominences

It may be the most versatile used product on the list. ‘Loctite’ product fixes any kind of plastic such as- Plexiglas, polystyrene, PVC, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)/Teflon, polycarbonate and even polyethylene, polypropylene which feature is rare in other products in the market.

Not only the plastics get the best treatment with this but it can also be applied to wood, ceramic, metal, chipboard, leather, fabric, paper, cork, rubber and so on. The product has got a two-part system with an activator which led it to the best performance.

Only one drop of glue is enough to give the super-bond on any plastic surface just after the activator has been applied. The glue adheres in just 30 seconds and dries transparent. This ‘Loctite’ product is easy to use and requires no mixing. You will get a tougher, rigid and high strength bond in just 20-25 minutes when the bulk is mixed in an exact amount.

This super glue bond can be sanded and drilled for its higher impact resistance. Frequently used solvents, fluid and water cannot get through this Loctite super glue plastics bonding system. Along with a 4ml activator, you are getting a 2g tube of the bonder.

Blemishes

The only thing that might concern you is the amount of glue given with the tube. You may expect a higher amount of glue gel at this expenditure.

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6. 3M 08061 Plastic and Emblem Adhesive Tube – 5 oz.

Best Prominences

This 3M plastic and emblem adhesive gives you a permanent bond on plastic and metal emblem, taillight lenses, rigid plastic parts, trim strips and more. It can be used for both inward and outward applications. This glue can uphold the bond solid for a long period being resistant to environmental exposures.

Whether the plastic is apparent or luminous, this heat and water-resistant glue will satisfy you with a perfect bond. This user-friendly glue doesn’t need any mixing. You can easily pour it from the tube, apply it on a surface and let it dry.

The super-glue has a very quick-acting formula that limits its working time to 10-30 seconds. This adhesive requires a setting time of 15 minutes and fully cures in just 24 hours. Fully cured painted automotive surfaces, this kind of non-porous and dissimilar materials can go through a permanent adhesion with this product.

Blemishes

This adhesive is watery and thin which you may not expect. It becomes a little tougher to control the flow of glue while you are pouring it on a surface.

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7. Super Glue Plastic Fusion Epoxy Adhesive

Best Prominences

Do you want to fix your broken toys? Or maybe you are need of a better adhesiveness in your taxidermy, plastic repairing. Then this ‘Super Glue’ product is one of the best choices you can make. It is more adhesive, waterproof and has got a holding power of 4000 pounds per square inch.

This light-yellow product comes in a syringe and needs to be mixed in a 1:1 ratio while applying it. You need an application time of 5 minutes with this product. The adhesive will fully cure in 24 hours. With a handling time of 30 minutes, this glue can withstand at a temperature range of 40-250 degrees F.

You get a detailed instruction guide included with it. The bulk you are being provided at the price is sufficient enough to please you. You are given one item in this package at a single buy. Your investment is returned with a hyper-strong bond for sure.

Blemishes

The liquid is too slippery. So, that may create some trouble while working. If you doing work like boot repairing you may have to add a little drop of glitter for a stronger grip. Otherwise, it may lose its adhesiveness.

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FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.

Is Gorilla Glue good for plastic?

Gorilla Glue will work well on many types of plastic; however, we do not recommend for use on polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) plastics or any type of rubber with high oil or plasticizer content.

How do you join plastic to plastic?

If you have two separate pieces of plastic that need to be joined or if you have a crack, then you’ll need to do some plastic welding. The basic idea is to apply heat to the edges being joined in order to melt the plastic until it is liquid enough to blend the edges together.

How do you glue two pieces of plastic together?

How do I glue pieces of plastic together? It is best if you use epoxy when gluing two pieces of plastic together. You could also use heavy duty glues from the store.

Can you super glue plastic to plastic?

A Super Glue You Can Use On Every Type Of Plastic

The Plastics Bonding System works on all plastics, including polypropylene and polyethylene. It’s water-resistant (but not waterproof), has a tensile strength of 290 to 2,900 PSI, and dries clear.

Does Super Glue eat through plastic?

Super glue, also referred to as cyanoacrylate glue, or CA glue, works on a variety of materials, including plastic*, metal, stone, ceramic, paper, rubber and more.

How long does Super Glue take to dry on plastic?

24 hours
How fast does super glue dry? A quality super glue, such as Loctite Super Glue Liquid Professional (20g bottle), dries and sets in seconds. For full bond strength, the parts should be left undisturbed for at least 10 minutes. The glue will be fully cured in 24 hours.

Does Liquid Nails work on plastic?

Liquid Nails LN207-2.5oz Clear Small Projects Silicone Adhesive works best on Plastic, Metal, and Foam surfaces.

Is epoxy glue good for plastic?

Yes, epoxy is a great choice when it comes to using on plastics, as it will create a strong adhesive bond. They augment the structural strength of the plastic and also provide, provide chemical resistance, and offer a certain amount of flexibility.

Does glue gun work on plastic?

Plastic is one of the hardest surfaces to bond to but we have found a hot melt glue stick that will bond polyethylene, PVC and PET. This hot melt is commonly used for PE boxes and display units.

Does Gorilla Glue work on PVC?

Gorilla Glue can be used from 32 to 140° F. It is environmentally friendly and cleans up with water. The amazing thing about this glue is that it will work on all kinds of pipes, from the smallest PVC pipe up to a 6″ diameter pipe. The glue itself is as strong as the pipe, ensuring a secure, durable connection.

What will super glue not stick to?

Super glue does not stick to some plastics like PP, HDPE, products made from polyethylene. Some smooth surfaces like glass, wet & greased surfaces do not get pasted with CA glue.

Q: Can I bond wood and plastic together?

Ans: It depends on the plastic you are wishing to glue. Ensure that the glue doesn’t deform the surface or discolor it. The Gorilla Super Glue Gel is a comparatively better one that can be used to bond wood and plastic together.

Q: How can I keep the super glue strong and fresh enough?

Ans: Don’t keep the cap of the glue open more than a minute while you are using it. Always close the cap tight enough to avoid any kind of air entry through the tube.

Q: Is accelerator necessary?

Ans: Not necessarily. You may often get a good performance without an accelerator but sometimes for the best performance or better grip you have to use the super glue along with accelerator. It’s like an upper level of adhesiveness.

Q: What about the surface preparation before glue-application?

Ans: It’s obviously an important part to consider . The surface should be cleaned from all kinds of dirt, oil or any other grease. Isopropyl alcohol is a good choice for wiping the whole surface with a solvent. Toluene, mineral spirits, gasoline, xylene or any kind of commercial ones should be avoided in using as they depart a relish which creates a problem in bonding.

Conclusion

The usefulness of this product is undeniable in your daily jobs. The best adhesive for plastic gives you the best way to repair your plastics equipment or toys, sometimes other multi-material models. You are suggested to choose wisely.

Among all the Gorilla Super Glue Gel by a gorilla are quite a good choice for you because of its quick setting properties, gorilla toughness, versatile usefulness, and reasonable price as well. Professional Grade Cyanoacrylate(CA) “Super Glue” by Glue Masters is also a good choice because of bulk value, more adhesiveness, versatility, and guarantee.

Other adhesives have their respective unique features to catch up on your mind. So why to wait for more, grave the best one and repair your stuff as it was.

I'm Joost Nusselder, the founder of Tools Doctor, content marketer, and dad. I love trying out new equipment, and together with my team I've been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with tools & crafting tips.