10 Best Glues for Plastic [2022 GUIDE]

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Welcome to the best glues for plastic review and buying guide to help make your purchase decisions easier.

Best Glue for Plastic Overall:

Gorilla 7700104 Super Glue Gel

A multi-purpose cyanoacrylate adhesive that dries in less than a minute and comes in an easy-to-dispense bottle for a mess-free application – your reliable go-to super glue for most repairs and craft projects.

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Best Epoxy Glue for Plastic:

J-B Weld 8265S Original Cold-Weld Steel Reinforced Epoxy

The J-B Weld’s epoxy is one of the strongest you can find on the market, reaching a maximum tensile strength of 5020 PSI. It has a wide range of applications and a versatile cured compound which you can drill, file, and paint.

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Best Waterproof Glue for Plastic:

J-B Weld 8272 MarineWeld Marine Epoxy

This waterproof epoxy has 5020 PSI max. tensile strength and cures dark gray, and you can file, drill, and paint it once cured – the ideal adhesive for your boat and watercraft repairs.

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Best Glue for White Plastic:

Gorilla White Waterproof Polyurethane Glue

You want white plastics to bond without the apparent joint lines made obvious by a colored adhesive. The Gorilla waterproof glue cures white, and you can sand or chisel it to smoothen the joints.

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Best Glue for PVC Pipe:

Oatey 30876 Heavy Duty Clear PVC Cement

The Oatey PVC cement adhesive is suitable for PVC, CPVC, ABS pipes, and most importantly, on potable water pipes.

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Best Glue for Plastic Toys:

Gorilla 7700104 Super Glue Gel

This super glue is compatible with many material types, including plastic, and the thick gel in a bottle is easy to apply for your broken toys without messy preparations or post-glue clean-ups.

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Best Glue for Plastic Model Kits:

Gorilla 7700104 Super Glue Gel

You need a super glue that adheres firmly, quickly, and reliably the first time for your plastic models, and this glue delivers.

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Best Glue for Plastic Car Parts:

J-B Weld 50139 Plastic Bonder Adhesive

Most automotive plastic car parts are dark gray or black, and this urethane adhesive is ideal as it cures black, reaching a 3770 PSI tensile strength, ready for sanding and filing to your intended finishing profile.

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Best Glue for Plastic to Metal:

J-B Weld 8265S Original Cold-Weld Steel Reinforced Epoxy

Bonding plastic and metal require epoxy that has high tensile strength that withstands shearing when cured. This steel-reinforced epoxy is the right adhesive for the job.

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Best Glue for Plastic to Wood:

Gorilla 7700104 Super Glue Gel

A few drops per square inch of the glue bond plastic to wood quickly and firmly. Plastics are generally lighter than wood, and this is an excellent glue gel to adhere to these dissimilar surfaces.

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Best Glue for Plastic to Glass:

Loctite 233841 Glass Glue

Finding a glue that bonds plastic to glass is challenging, but this glass glue works, although not for all plastic types.

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Best Glue for Plastic to Rubber:

3M PR40 Scotch-Weld Plastic & Rubber Instant Adhesive

The 3M PR40 is an adhesive that dries clear in seconds and one of the strongest in bonding plastic to rubber.

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Best Glue for Plastic to Fabric:

Loctite 1360694 Vinyl Fabric Plastic Adhesive

Look no further if you need an excellent adhesive for your vinyl, fabric, and plastic repairs. This Loctite product dries clear for the perfect invisible repair.

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Best Glue for Plastic to Paper:

Gorilla 7700104 Super Glue Gel

Paper is the lightest of all materials, and this super glue gives you a more-than-sufficiently strong bond for your quick paper to plastic glue jobs.

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Best Glue for Plastic to Ceramic Tile:

Gorilla 5002801 Waterproof Polyurethane Glue

The Gorilla polyurethane glue is excellent for repairing and bonding dissimilar surfaces, including plastic to porous materials such as ceramic tiles, stones, and concrete.

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Best Glue for Plastic to Concrete:

Gorilla 5002801 Waterproof Polyurethane Glue

It is a multi-purpose glue for bonding various porous materials to plastic. The bond is heat resistant and thus perfectly suited for outdoor applications.

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Best Silicone Glue for Plastic:

J-B Weld 31310 All-Purpose RTV Silicone Sealant

This silicone product is a multi-purpose adhesive that forms a clear, flexible, and waterproof seal for many everyday items in your home.

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Plastics are a common material used in countless everyday tools, appliances, and applications. When broken or damaged, it makes more financial sense to fix them than buying new.

For each type of repair or project, you need to choose the right glue to achieve the optimal bonding strength, durability, and appearance.

THE 10 BEST GLUES FOR PLASTIC REVIEW

#1 Gorilla 7700104 Super Glue Gel

If you are looking for a multi-purpose super glue that adheres strongly, consistently, and reliably, look no further than this bestseller from Gorilla.

The gel-form cyanoacrylate adhesive cures in under 45 seconds, and only one or two dabs per square inch will suffice to reach its designed bonding strength.

The material types you can use the glue on include plastic, paper, wood, rubber, leather, and metal. For gluing heavy objects, epoxy glue may be more appropriate.

What you get with this glue:

20g bottle in single or multiple packs.
Compatible with plastic, paper, wood, leather, and metal.
Dries in under 45 seconds and cures fully in 24 hours.
Thick gel for controlled dispensing.
Not recommended for polyethylene and polypropylene plastic.

Drawbacks:

The increasing price due to popularity.
Requires a high degree of controlled dispensing.

#2 J-B Weld 8265S Original Cold-Weld Steel Reinforced Epoxy

The steel-reinforced epoxy adhesive comes as a two-part system consisting of a resin and hardener, which you mix in equal parts before application.

Once cured, it reaches a maximum tensile strength of 5020 PSI, on which you can drill, file, sand, and paint.

Its resulting bond is also firm, waterproof, and versatile for a wide range of materials.

What you get with this glue:

The strongest epoxy adhesive on the list.
2-part system of resin and hardener.
Sets in 4 to 6 hours; cures in 15-24 hours to a dark gray color.
The cured adhesive has 5020 PSI max. tensile strength, waterproof, chemical-resistant, and can withstand temperatures up to 550 degrees F.
You can drill, file, sand, and paint it when cured.
Surface applications: plastic, PVC, metal, wood, concrete, ceramic, and fiberglass.

Drawback:

Dries quickly, so mix small amounts at a time.

#3 J-B Weld 8272 MarineWeld Marine Epoxy

You need an adhesive that bonds strongly and would not leak for your DIY marine and watercraft repairs.

This Marine Epoxy is similar to the J-B Original Epoxy in most aspects – curing time, 5020 PSI maximum tensile strength, and heat and chemical resistance – but specially designed for applications requiring high waterproofing capabilities.

It is heavy-duty and suitable for bonding plastic, aluminum, metal, wood, and fiberglass. You must wait a minimum of 15 hours before putting the item back into use.

What you get with this glue:

Suitable for marine and watercraft repairs.
2-part system of resin and hardener.
Sets in 4 to 6 hours and cures in 15-24 hours to a dark gray color.
The cured adhesive has 5020 PSI max. tensile strength, chemical-resistant, and can withstand temperatures up to 550 degrees F.
You can shape, drill, file, sand, and paint it when cured.
Surface applications: plastic, metal, wood, composites, and fiberglass.

Drawback:

May be a little too soft when cured for users who need to drill, file, or sand.

#4 Gorilla White Waterproof Polyurethane Glue

You can easily find adhesives that cure colorless or dark gray, but you want it in white for some applications, so the joints are not obvious.

This adhesive requires water to cure properly: clean the surfaces; dampen one surface with water and apply glue on the other; clamp both surfaces together for 60 minutes to improve bonding and wipe off excess glue in the first 15 minutes; allow to cure for 24 hours.

The glue expands three times while curing and is waterproof. You can remove excess hardened adhesive by sanding, chiseling, or scraping.

It is also suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

What you get with this glue:

Polyurethane glue that cures white.
Requires water to bond and clamping to improve bonding.
It expands 3x when cured.
Suitable for indoor and outdoor use; waterproof.
Bonds foam, plastic, wood, metal, and stone.

Drawbacks:

It may be a little runny for vertical applications – use sparingly.
Not for shoes as it expands.

#5 Oatey 30876 Heavy Duty Clear PVC Cement

Plumbers require quality PVC cement for their piping works and repairs that provide a strong bond and withstand water pressure while remaining waterproof.

Further, the adhesive must be suitable for potable water pipework, and the Oatey heavy-duty PVC cement adhesive is an excellent candidate to meet those installation requirements.

It is ideal for PVC, CPVC, and ABS pipes in residential and commercial uses.

What you get with this glue:

Quick-setting in seconds.
Clear color.
Suitable to apply on clean and dry pipes and all schedules and classes of PVC pipe.
Recommended application temperature 40 to 110 degrees F.
Meets Lo-VOC, NSF, and UPC standards.

Drawback:

Nothing notable.

#6 J-B Weld 50139 Plastic Bonder Adhesive

If you are looking for an adhesive for your plastic vehicle parts, look no further than the J-B Weld Plastic Bonder.

It is a two-part, 1:1 ratio urethane adhesive and gap-filling compound that sets in 15 minutes and cures in 30 hours, reaching a maximum tensile strength of 3770 PSI.

The adhesive is ideal for your vehicle’s bumper and dent repairs, including interior or exterior parts, as it cures glossy black, and you can subsequently sand and file it to perfection.

What you get with this glue:

Two-part urethane glue.
Suitable for automotive plastic body and composite panel repairs.
Sets in 15 minutes and cures black in 30 hours.
3770 PSI maximum tensile strength.
Mixing tray and stir stick included.

Drawback:

Inconsistent mix as the plunger does not dispense the contents from both sides equally.

#7 Loctite 233841 Glass Glue

This glass glue is ideal for repairing broken glassware, including clear, tinted, stained, and opaque glass.

It can bond glass to other non-porous materials, such as some plastics and metal. The resulting bond is heat and water-resistant.

What you get with this glue:

Bonds glass to glass, or glass to some plastics, or glass to metal.
Works on clear, tinted, and stained glass.
Water-resistant; dishwasher-safe.
Dries clear.
Sets in seconds and cures in 24 hours.

Drawback:

Does not dry 100% clear.

#8 3M PR40 Scotch-Weld Plastic & Rubber Instant Adhesive

Finding an adhesive that bonds plastic to rubber on the market is difficult, but the 3M PR40 does the job superbly. It is ideal for building your favorite craft projects that involve plastic and rubber.

You can also use it to bond plastic to plastic and rubber to rubber.

The glue comes in a bottle that allows precise application for the low viscosity adhesive that dries in seconds.

What you get with this glue:

Low viscosity instant adhesive.
Ideal for bonding plastic to rubber.
Dries in seconds.

Drawback:

Does not dry clear as advertised.

#9 Loctite 1360694 Vinyl Fabric Plastic Adhesive

Vinyl and fabric require a specific glue for the job and this Loctite adhesive works incredibly well. Further, it can also bond plastic to fabric.

It dries clear and is ideal for fabric and leather upholstery repairs in your home or car. Its bonding versatility extends to shoes, toys, and air mattresses.

What you get with this glue:

A flexible adhesive that bonds vinyl, fabric, plastics, and leather.
Ideal for toys, weather stripping, and upholstery repairs.
Dries clear and waterproof.

Drawback:

The adhesive yellows over time – not suitable for white items.

#10 Gorilla 5002801 Waterproof Polyurethane Glue

This Gorilla polyurethane glue bonds incredibly well for porous materials, such as ceramic tiles and concrete. It bonds plastic to many types of stones.

The glue can withstand high heat and is suitable for outdoor use.

Note that it expands 3x its original volume once cured, so apply the glue in moderate amounts. Wear disposable gloves as any glue stain is almost impossible to get rid of.

What you get with this glue:

Ideal for dissimilar surfaces, including porous materials – stone, ceramic, and concrete.
Suitable for indoor and outdoor applications.
Forms a waterproof bond that expands 3 times into the materials; not suitable if you want a perfectly flat seal.
Dries brownish.

Drawback:

Container is not airtight – you may find hardened glue in subsequent uses. Buy smaller bottles to avoid wastage.

#11 J-B Weld 31310 All-Purpose RTV Silicone Sealant

An all-purpose silicone adhesive is one of the handy items to have in the home as you can use it to seal gaps in automotive windshields, door and window frames, tubs, sinks, aquariums, and plastic parts.

You can easily work and wipe off excess silicone with a wet towel during application. Upon curing, the J-B Weld Silicone Sealant forms a tough, flexible, and waterproof seal that will not shrink or crack.

What you get with this glue:

Silicone-type adhesive.
Ideal for most surface types as a waterproof gap sealer.
Dries almost clear.

Glue for Plastic Guide

Materials such as plastic, paper, wood, rubber, and metal differ in their mechanical and physical properties. It is essential to use specific glues to adhere two different surface types together for the best results.

Types of Adhesives for Plastic

There are various adhesives, each with a different set of properties and best for specific surface types.

The six types of adhesives for plastic are:

Super glue – a cyanoacrylate adhesive; fast curing but brittle; best for exact-fit applications.
Epoxy glue – the strongest type of adhesive; resistant to high temperature, solvents, and impact; typically available as a two-part system: resin & hardener.
Silicone glue – waterproof gap sealer.
Urethane glue – elastic; impact resistant; seal windshields and car body panels.
Polyurethane glue – similar to urethane; high tensile strength; waterproof, paintable, and has a degree of flexibility.
Acrylic glue – weaker than epoxy but cures faster and requires less surface preparation.

What is the difference between a super gue and an epoxy?

Super glue is a cyanoacrylate and the most common type of multi-purpose adhesive on the market; it bonds strongly and cures quickly for various surface types. Epoxy glues consist of two parts packaged separately – a resin and a hardener – that you must mix according to the product’s instruction before use; they require longer prep time, but results are better.

Which one of them is stronger?

While super glues require less preparation before use and form a strong bond that resists pulling, they have low shear strength when applying forces perpendicular to the adhered joints. Epoxy glues are comparatively stronger in adhesion and withstanding multi-angle stresses and impact.

How to Prep Plastic for Gluing?

Plastic items typically have smooth surfaces. Before gluing plastic to plastic or another material, improving the surface grip increases the glue’s bonding strength.

As part of glue job best practices, prep the plastic before gluing:

Roughen the plastic surface with 100-grit sandpaper or steel wool to increase grip.
Dampen a cloth with rubbing alcohol and wipe the plastic to clean off dust and loose particles.
Avoid touching the contact surfaces with your hand to prevent leaving oil residue on them.
Dry the plastic thoroughly and proceed with gluing.

What is the Best Way to Remove Adhesive from Plastic?

Removing adhesive from plastic may be necessary when you buy new plastic containers or clean a plastic surface in preparation for other tasks.

Removing adhesive from plastic involves these steps:

Soak a cotton pad with one of these glue remover agents: vegetable or olive oil, nail polish remover or pure acetone, vinegar, rubbing alcohol.
Rub the plastic surface repeatedly with moderate force to remove the glue. Use as many cotton pads as necessary.
If the glue stain is tough, wet the plastic surface with the remover agent and give it time to soften the glue.
Soak a new cotton pad with the remover agent and continue rubbing the plastic surface until you remove the glue completely.

How to Remove Super Glue from Your Fingers?

The accidental contact between your hand or fingers with super glue is inevitable when you work on a repair or craft project.

The glue hardens rapidly, but do not attempt to scrape it off forcefully as you risk breaking the skin.

You can remove super glue from your hand, fingers, or skin with any one of the following:

Nail polish remover (acetone)
Skin lotion.
Baby oil.
Olive oil.
Butter or margarine.
Warm soapy water.
Petroleum jelly.

Apply with a sponge or cotton pad, rub the skin repeatedly, and scrape until the glue comes off all together.

If you only get a small amount of super glue on your skin, it usually will come off after a few days of washing and bathing as the soap breaks down and removes the glue.

Types of Plastics and Their Uses

Plastics are synthetic or semi-synthetic material.

The versatility of molding and extruding plastic and its lightweight, durable, and flexible nature make plastic a useful material for many applications.

The 9 types of plastics and their uses are:

Polyester or Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) – food and beverage packaging, textile products.
High-density Polyethylene (HDPE) – corrosion-resistant water piping, boats.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) – plumbing products, leather-like apparel, and shoes.
Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE) – plastic bags, disposable food containers.
Polypropylene (PP) – automotive parts, toys, consumer products.
Polystyrene (PS) – kitchen appliances, electronics.
Acrylic or Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) – transparent and shatterproof replacement for glass.
Polycarbonate (PC) – safety glasses, automotive parts, building applications.
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) – computer parts, automotive parts, power tools.