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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
Best Plastic to Wood: PASCOFIX
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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.
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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.
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.
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