Plastic is a difficult substance to glue because its smooth, nonporous surfaces won’t bond with most traditional glues.
But whether you are gluing plastic for automotive repairs, home improvement, or craft projects, there is a right glue for every project.
Best Glues for Plastic Review
J-B Weld 8237 PlasticWeld Plastic Repair Epoxy Putty
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Epoxy putties are glues that can be formed by hand, like regular putty.
They are excellent for making repairs that require filling gaps, patching holes, and sealing cracks, because they don’t require that the two surfaces be bonded be right next to each other or held together.
J-B 8237 Weld PlasticWeld Plastic Repair Epoxy Putty can be molded by hand and used to repair almost anything made from plastic.
It sets in 5 minutes and cures in as little as an hour, with an off-white color.
Once cured, it has a tensile strength of 350 PSI and can be sawed, drilled, sanded, or painted.
Works For
ABS, PVC, and CPVC. Works on rigid and semi-flexible plastic, plastic pipes, automotive trim and bumpers, fiberglass parts, vinyl siding, and similar plastic surfaces.
Does Not Adhere To
Polyethylene,polypropylene and some other plastic.
What We Like
Epoxy putties are great because they don’t have to be mixed, and can be handled, worked, and molded for up to 25 minutes.
That long work time allows you to fill a gap or seal a hole and smooth the putty into place exactly how you want it.
Once it’s cured, you can then sand and paint it for seamless repairs, and the finished bond is extremely strong. It’s an incredibly versatile glue.
What We Don’t Like
As the manufacturer notes, the J-B Weld epoxy putty doesn’t work on all types of plastic and needs to be tested first.
It cures dry and rigid, which is great for many kinds of repairs, but some epoxy putties have a flexible cure that makes them better for repairing flexible plastics like charging cables.
Pros
- Creates a very strong bond
- Moldable and workable to cover cracks and holes
- Leaves a surface that can be sanded or painted
- No mixing, no fumes, safe to use anywhere
Cons
- Takes a long time to bond and cure; can’t make quick fixes
- Won’t adhere to all kinds of plastic
Amazing Goop 140211 3.7 oz. All-Purpose Adhesive, Clear
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Amazing Goop is an all-purpose sealant and adhesive, that can beused on a huge variety of surfaces.
Amazing Goop is a very strong all-purpose adhesive that dries clear, water-resistant, chemical resistant, washable, and temperature safe.
It does not break down in water or become brittle in cold weather, and can be used on plastic, fabric, metal, brick, wood, and more.
It’s extremely easy to use; simply apply it to both parts of a clean, dry surface, wait a couple of minutes, and then touch the two surfaces together.
It is not workable, so you can’t “wiggle” pieces into place; parts will begin to bond instantly, although it takes 24 hours to fully dry, and 72 hours for the strongest bond.
The finished bond can be painted over.
Works For
Wood, glass, metal, laminate, fabric, rubber, plastic, vinyl,brick, marble, wood, and ceramic.
Not Recommended For
Polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, Styrofoam™ or paperproducts, and any items that come into contact with food, drinking water oranimals. Do not dry clean.
What We Like
Amazing Goop is incredibly useful and versatile. It glues so many things, with a strong, durable bond, and without mixing or messing.
The glue dries clear, and is water and temperature resistant. It can also be painted over to blend in.
What We Don’t Like
Amazing Goop contains toluene and petroleum distillate and should be used in a well-ventilated area, as fumes may be harmful.
Pros
- No mixing and easy to use
- Useful on a huge range of different materials
- Very strong water-resistant bonds with a clear finish
- Paintable
Cons
Harmful fumes during use
Loctite Epoxy Plastic Bonder 0.85-Fluid Ounce Syringe
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This Loctite syringe dispenses exactly the right amount of two-part epoxy components, so there’s no measuring.
It is a simpler, cleaner approach to two-part epoxy, with more precision for stronger bonds.
The Loctite Epoxy Plastic Bonder Syringe has a double plunger to dispense equal amounts of resin and hardener, with a narrow top so you don’t waste unneeded products.
It cures in 20-25 minutes, without shrinking, and the cured bond is 3450 PSI, impact-resistant, water-resistant, and resistant to many common solvents. After curing, it can be sanded and drilled.
Works For
Nylon, polycarbonate, Mylar, PVC, acrylic, ABS, Delrin, aluminum,phenolic, stainless steel, and many other plastics.
It Won’t Work On
Polyethylene, polypropylene, or non-stick coatings, and itshouldn’t be used on flexible materials.
What We Like
The syringe is a very easy way to get the exact right amounts ofthe two epoxy components, and dispense only as much as you need at a time.
What We Don’t Like
The packaging with two separate chambers should prevent resin hardening in the tube and prolong the shelf life of the Loctite bonder, but that isn’t always the case.
Their Amazon listing says that the product can be used on nylon, but the technical data sheet doesn’t recommend it.
It needs to be used in a well-ventilated area, as fumes may be harmful.
Pros
- Very strong bond for plastics
- Accurate dispensing and measuring with the syringes
- Resists water, impact, and most solvents
- Can be drilled and sanded
Cons
- Isn’t always usable for the full shelf life
- Harmful fumes during use
- May, or may not work on nylon
J-B Weld 50139 Plastic Bonder BodyPanel Adhesive and Gap Filler Syringe
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This J-B Weld Plastic Bonder formula is specifically designed for automotive use and dries black.
But it works on a wide range of surfaces and materials, so it has a variety of uses outside the car as well.
The J-B Weld 50139 Plastic Bonder Body Panel Adhesive and Gap Filler Syringe is a two-part urethane adhesive with a syringe dispenser for accurate measurement every time.
It can be used to join materials or to fill gaps and cracks. It sets in 15 minutes and is cured in 30 minutes.
The final bond is rated to 3770 PSI, and can be sanded.
Works For
Thermoset, carbon fiber composites, plastic, PVC, thermoplastics,coated metals, fiberglass, concrete and more.
Does Not Work Well On
Polyethylene or polypropylene.
What We Like
It’s great to have a plastic glue specifically designed for the most common materials in a car interior, that is black and doesn’t need painting.
It’s a quick fix for gaps, cracks, and small breaks, and the syringe eliminates measuring.
What We Don’t Like
It needs to be used in a well-ventilated area, because fumes maybe harmful.
Pros
- Bonds with most common automotive materials
- Dries black to blend in better
- Can be sanded
- Cures in 30 minutes
- Accurate dispensing with the syringes
Cons
Harmful fumes during use
Gorilla 6770002 Micro Precise Super Glue
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This is a standard ethyl cyanoacrylate “super glue,” with anextremely precise dispenser, so you get just the amount of glue you need,exactly where you need it.
The Gorilla 6770002 Micro Precise Super Glue bonds in just 10 seconds, so you don’t need tape or clamps while you wait for long cure time.
The applicator was designed to be comfortable in the hand, with a precision tip for extremely accurate placement.
It also has an anti-clog cap with a pin inside, so you get an airtight seal that preserves the bottle of glue for longer.
The bonds are strong and impact resistant in just seconds, and can be sanded.
Works For
Plastic, wood, metal, ceramic, rubber, leather, paper, and more.
Does Not Work Well On
Polyethylene or polypropylene, and should not be used on any surface with direct or indirect food contact.
It isn’t good for covering or filling holes or cracks. It should be used in an area with good ventilation
What We Like
We like the super-fast, super-strong bond of Gorilla glue, and this precision tip prevents the occasional superglue accident.
It works on a huge range of materials and has a container that preserves the useful life of the bottle of glue.
What We Don’t Like
Sometimes this glue bonds just too quickly, giving you little time to make small adjustments in fit or placement.
It needs to be used in a well-ventilated area, because fumes may be harmful.
Pros
- Super-fast, super-strong bond
- Works on a wide range of materials
- Precision applicator, ergonomic bottle, and lid designed to keep the product fresh and useful
- Can be sanded
Cons
Harmful fumes during use
RelatedQuestions
What is the strongest glue to use on plastic?
The strongest glue to use on plastic is usually a two-part epoxy, like JB Weld PlasticWeld in a syringe.
It adheres very quickly and strongly to most types of plastic, so you can form a fast, strong bond.
However, PlasticWeld doesn’t work on all types of plastic, and may not be ideal in all circ*mstances.
Loctite offers several glues for plastic that are formulated for specific types of plastic, like flexible plastics and vinyls, that may work better for specific needs.
Related Content: What is PVA Glue? Make no mistake about it!
Is Gorilla Glue good for plastic?
A: Gorilla Glue works on many types of plastic, but not on polypropylene, polyethylene, or rubbers with a high oil or plastic content.
While Gorilla Glue will work on acrylic, it often helps to slightly roughen the surface first, and it will usually turn acrylic plastic opaque and white.
What is the best glue for automotive plastic?
The best glue for automotive plastic that creates a strong, durable bond is a two-part epoxy glue.
For filling gaps and making shock-resistant seals, an epoxy putty is a great plastic for automotive parts.
How do you bond plastic?
The best way to bond plastic depends on what kind of plastics you are using.
If your plastic object has a recycling symbol, the number will tell you what kind of plastic it is, which will help you determine the best glue to use.
Once you have the right glue, clean your surface thoroughly. It often helps to lightly sand the plastic to help form a strong bond.
Press the pieces together firmly, and wipe away excess glue that oozes from the joint.
Depending on the type of glue you are using, you may want to use tape or clamps to keep the objects in place while the glue cures. Give the bond at least 24 hours to reach full strength.
How do you glue paper to plastic?
The best way to glue paper to plastic depends on the kind of plastic in question.
Most plastics resist standard glues, and many other glues change the texture of paper, so it’s a challenge.
For craft applications, glue sticks or modge podge may work to preserve the surface of the paper, but they won’t bond with all plastics.
For other projects, contact cement or super glue might be a better choice. For bonds that don’t need to be very strong, double-stick tape may work well.
How do you glue polyethylene, then?
You may have noticed that none of our favorite plastic glues are recommended for polyethylene or polypropylene.
These plastics are extremely difficult to glue, because of their unique surface properties.
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To glue them, you always need to prepare the surface with sanding or heat and use a glue specially designed for these plastics, like Technicqll Clear Adhesive Glue Super Gel For Pp Polypropylene, Pe Polyethylene, Ptfe, Silicone.
It often helps to use a specialty PP or PE primer as well.
