5 Best Glues for Plastic [We Tested]

5 Best Glues for Plastic [We Tested]

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best glues for plastic

Plastic is a material that is cheap and easy to model into any shape, but sadly, it can crack as it isn’t the strongest material. Luckily, it’s an easy material to bond as long you have the right type of adhesive. Some super glues will start working within seconds, while the two-part bonders will take a bit longer, requiring 15 minutes to set.

With there being 3 clear types of glue for plastic, we wanted to provide suggestions for Cyanoacrylate (Super Glue), plastic cement and polyurethane-based. We evaluated 72 different plastic adhesives and identified the 5 top performers that we wanted to purchase for hands-on performance tests.

Don’t want to read the entire post, here are 3 best glues for plastic right now:
👑 BEST OVERALL🛠️ BEST FOR BUDGET🛋️ FOR LONG TERM FIX
Loctite Ultra GelE6000JB Plastic Bond 
LoctiteE6000 industrial strengthJB Weld Plastic Bonder
AMOUNT ⚖️4 ml59.1 ml25 ml
CURE COLORClearClearBlack
COST PER GRAM$1.186 cents30 cents
PRICE 💵$4.74$4.28$7.84


Best Super Glue for Plastic

You should know that Super Glue can’t work with polyethylene, polypropylene plastic, or similar materials. Super Glue or Cyanoacrylate is a great choice for those wanting to stick a common type of plastic together. To get a good fix with super glue, be sure to coat the area in water first, as a very dry surface is hard to work. For certain types of heat-resistant plastic like polyethylene or polypropylene, you need to look at the recommended choice of plastic bonder, as super glue doesn’t work well.

Our Overall choice: Loctite Ultra Gel

Loctite

Loctite has been another major name in the glue and adhesive space since 1956; this division made just under 3 billion euros and is now part of the large German multinational Henkel.

This is their take on the gel super glue, and while it’s much easier to use than the non-gel Loctite version and is our top pick based on it’s effective design of the bottle. We were super impressed by the design of the Loctite bottle. You press the sides to control the flow, making it our top choice as a super glue for plastic.

This glue quickly bonds plastic to plastic and is regularly found for less than $5 per bottle.

You are paying $1.18 for each gram of super glue.

As with all Super Glues, be sure to keep it in a cool space once you have opened it, or it will dry out.

loctice super glue gel test

Our budget choice: Gorilla Glue Super GEL XL

Gorilla Glue XL Super 1

Gorilla Glue started in 1994 with its polyurethane glue. Still, it now offers Super and Gel Super, our top choices, with its no-drip formula perfect for gluing plastic to any other material.

It is dry and is between 10-45 seconds, so it is perfect for situations that need a quick fix.

Gorilla Glue is great, and the SUPER GLUE GEL dries quickly and is easy to manage, thanks to its gel material.

You are paying 36 cents for each gram of glue.

When we tested this glue to attach plastic to plastic we were impressed by the gel material and the amount of glue that is included with each bottle.

gorilla glue XL plastic test

Other Super Glue Option: Scotch No Run Gel

Scotch Super Glue

Under $3 and including two packs, this is one of the cheapest options for gluing plastic. Scotch is not normally a name you would think of when thinking of glue, but it’s backed by 3M. This super glue works well even with very small amounts and bonds our plastic test as quickly as other more well-known brands on our list.

You are paying 63 cents a gram for this glue.

We liked that you got two small applicators, each with a tip that was easy to control when applying the adhesive.

Scotch super glue plastic test

Best to bond all materials: JB Plastic Bond

JB Weld Plastic Bonder

This is a different option to use when super glue can’t work. This is a 2 part Urethane, which takes 15 minutes to set but also brings much more strength and long and heat resistance than you don’t get with Cyanoacrylate-based glues.

When super glue works on plastic, it creates a dry, brittle bond, but this bond is flexible, so there are no cracks, even if it takes much longer to set. If possible, leave to cure for at least 24 hours.

For those looking at long-term fixes, this option from JB Weld is what we recommend for plastic, especially those like thermosets that don’t work well with super glue.

You are paying 30 cents a gram for this glue.

Due to its higher price, we would only use this glue for situations that need long-term fixes with protection.

JB Weld plastic bond test

Best Value for flexible bond: E6000

E6000 industrial strength

This glue uses Tetrachloroethylene, which is the chemical used in dry cleaning. It has been linked to cancer, so you will only want to use it in a well-ventilated space, but this glue is the best option for use on plastic, especially when you need to fill the gap when bonding.

It’s a creation of Eclectic Products that goes back to 1952 and created Goop glue.

We like that the glue dries clear; you can easily paint on top of it. It will stick in a few minutes but will need upwards of 24-72 hours of curing time for waterproofing.

Unlike Super Glue, it creates a flexible bond, so it has many more use cases, especially for non-porous material.

You are paying 6 cents a gram for this glue.

E6000 is the cheapest glue for plastic but is best for when you need a flexible bond vs the brittle seal you get with super glue based adhesives.

E6000 glue plastic test

Best for Plastic MiniaturesCitadel

Citadel Plastic Glue 1
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This is less of a glue but works to melt plastic together

This is the best glue if you need to put plastic models together. It doesn’t have any noxious fumes but is flammable. We were impressed with how well it worked on Warhammer models, and it is the best choice for this purpose.

Citadel plastic cement test

You might also want to look at another plastic cement from Japan called Tamiya Cement, which is also very useful for fixing plastic models like those from Warhammer.

Tamiya Cement

What should you look for in a plastic for glue?

Before you choose a glue, you should check the type of plastic you are working with. While most common plastics can be used in various glues if they’re adhesive-resistant, you will need to look at epoxy options like the option from JB Weld.

Super glue will work in seconds, so it is perfect for quick jobs, but if you are looking for longevity, you will be better off with a non-super glue-based adhesive. Be aware that many of these glues will give out VOCs, so they should be used in a well-ventilated space, ideally outside.

If you need a flexible bond, the E6000 GOOP is a good option compared to superglue, which drys brittle.

For simple DIY fixes, stick with super glue thanks to its rapid process and choose a gel version as they are much easier to apply. If you have plastic that doesn’t work with the other technologies, then look at a bonding epoxy such as the one we recommend from JB Weld.

Plastic Glue FAQ

What is the best glue for plastic to plastic?

Try to see if the CItadel glue for Warhammer could be best for plastic to plastic. It melts the plastic using a solvent that fuses together without generating too many VOCs.

Is JB Weld good for plastic?

We think JB Weld has one of the best plastic glues that make long-term fixes.

What is the safest glue for plastic?

The safest glue would be something like Citadel, sold for Warhammer, a plastic cement. However, be aware that this will still release VOCs, but not as much as other options with specific cancer-causing ingredients.

Always use plastic glue in a well-ventilated location due to the gases and VOCs released.

How do you stick plastic together without glue?

If you don’t use glue, you can use some heat to bond plastic together. You can use welders, solvents, stitching, riveting, tape, or even interlocking seams to bond plastic without glue.

How long does it take gorilla glue to dry on plastic?

For the original Gorilla glue it takes 1-2 hours to set and cure fully in 24, and for the Super Glue, it dries in 10-45 seconds and also needs 24 cure times.

Why should you trust 911 Metallurgists?

Our team are experts in metallurgy and materials, and we spend hundreds of hours evaluating the latest products and then putting them through our in-house tests. We tested each plastic glue featured in this list for this guide and compared how well they performed when sticking together plastic materials. Be sure to reach out if you have a specific use case we have not covered in this guide.

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