Whether you need to glue PVC pipes to fix your plumbing or add some glitter to your favorite pair of flip-flops, getting the best glue for the job will make your project a greater success and will make it last longer. There are many different types of plastic and not all glues will work on all plastics. Even though the glue bottle says that it is approved for plastic, it does not necessarily mean that it will work on every type of plastic. Choosing the right glue for the job will save you frustration and assure that you are happy with the result.

The following table summarizes the qualities of the different types of the best glue for plastic in this review. For a more detailed explanation please refer to the Buyer’s Guide at the end of this article.



Best Glue for Plastic Comparison Table

Pratley Plastic Glue – Best Glue for Plastic Car Parts

Pratley Plastic Glue made the list because it is one of the few plastic adhesives that can be used on plastic automotive parts such as headlights, radiators, and dash components. It will work on most plastics, glass, fiberglass, and metal. It can be used on ABS plastic, unlike many types of glue.

We like this one because it is heavy-duty and sets quickly.

This glue also fills in gaps and cracks easily. It is suggested that you store the glue in the refrigerator after opening to keep it from getting old quickly. Once it has cured, it can be sanded, painted, or drilled. It is heat resistant up to 194°F.



Pros Quick set time

Quick set time Heavy duty

Heavy duty Can be used for automotive repairs Cons High odor

High odor Must use gloves to handle

Duco Cement – Best Glue for Plastic to Plastic

Duco Cement is a great multipurpose household glue that can be used on many different surfaces.

It dries quickly and is set in about 5 to 10 minutes. It dries tough and is water resistant. Another thing we liked about this glue is that it resistant to gasoline, mineral spirits, corn oil, and other solvents. This means that you can use it on surfaces that will be cleaned with the solvents and the glue will not be harmed, such as painted surfaces.

This glue is made from nitrocellulose, which makes it last longer before drying out if the cap is carefully replaced after each use.

It is recommended for use on plastic, wood, metal, and other crafts.

This glue was thick and easy to apply. This means that you can get an accurate placement of the glue. We also found that this glue was easily removed from the skin if you allow it to dry and then peel it off. Overall, we felt that this was a good all-purpose glue that would be suitable for many projects.



Pros Water resistant

Water resistant Resistant to solvents

Resistant to solvents Thick and does not run quickly when applying Cons Not recommended for areas that will be in contact with food

Not recommended for areas that will be in contact with food Highly flammable when wet

Highly flammable when wet Does not set as quickly as superglues

E6000 Craft Adhesive – Best All-Purpose Glue

E6000 is a household glue that has been around for a long time. It is a favorite because it dries white and can be used on many different services.

It is considered industrial strength, when used as directed. It is perfect for fusing ceramics, glass, fabric, leather, wood, metal, and some plastics.

One of the things that we did not like about E6000 is that it takes about five minutes to set. However, this can be an advantage, because it allows you some time to make adjustments before the glue sets. It takes about 24 to 72 hours to completely cure. This means that you should not use the object for this amount of time.

Once it has dried, it is tough and durable. It is water resistant and is paintable. Another thing we liked about this glue is that it is nonflammable and it is washer and dryer safe.



Pros Temperature resistant

Temperature resistant Water resistant

Water resistant Paintable when cured

Paintable when cured Washer and dryer safe Cons Dries white not clear

Dries white not clear Takes 24-72 hours to cure

Takes 24-72 hours to cure Does not set quickly

Plastruct Plastic Weld – Best Glue for Hard Plastic

Plastruct Plastic Weld made the list because it is especially made to bond plastic to plastic. It is made for ABS, butyrate, acrylic, and many more different types of plastic. It will bond Plexiglas and polystyrene with ease.

It works by using a solvent to dissolve a little bit of each surface. When the two pieces are stuck together, it welds them to each other so that they become one. This glue is immediately tacky and sets in only a few minutes.

This glue had a lower odor than other solvent-based glues. It sets up quickly and makes a permanent bond once it has cured. With this glue, make certain that you have your pieces in place quickly because after a few seconds you will not be able to move them around at all. It works that fast.



Pros Tight, permanent bond

Tight, permanent bond Especially formulated for plastics

Especially formulated for plastics Sets quickly Cons Strong odor

Strong odor Unused glue gets old quickly

Unused glue gets old quickly Thin, runs when being applied

Testor’s Cement for Plastic – Best Glue for Plastic Models

This glue is our choice for building models.

It sets up within a few seconds once the pieces are joined together. The disadvantage is that it does not have a long working time and you need to have the parts in place perfectly quickly.

This is another solvent-based glue. This means that it melts the two surfaces and bonds them as if they were welded together. This creates a permanent bond. Another drawback to this glue is that it has a strong odor.

This glue is quite runny when you first apply it. However, it has a precision tip to help you get the glue in the right place. One word of caution though, it takes very little of this glue to do its job.



Pros Sets up quickly

Sets up quickly Precision applicator tip

Precision applicator tip Welds plastic together Cons Runny at first

Runny at first Strong odor

Strong odor Not recommended for fiberglass repair

Loctite Ultra Gel Control – Best Glue for Plastic to Wood

Loctite Ultra Gel Control is the glue that we voted best all-around glue. We like it because it can glue a number of different surfaces together. It is the best glue when you need to glue wood to plastic.

It can be used on plastics, ceramic, wood, rubber, leather, metal, and many other different types of materials.

We like that it sets quickly and dries clear. However, it is not easy to clean excess glue or spilled glue from surfaces. Because it set so quickly, this can be problematic. We found that using alcohol on Q-tips will remove it with some effort. It forms a tight, strong bond that will last for a long time.



Pros Dries clear

Dries clear Sets quickly

Sets quickly Glues many different surfaces together Cons Not easy to clean excess glue from surfaces once dried

Not easy to clean excess glue from surfaces once dried Must have completely clean surface to work

Must have completely clean surface to work May turn cloudy over time when dried

Loctite Epoxy Plastic Bonder – Best Glue for Plastic to Metal

Loctite Epoxy Plastic Bonder is one of the best glues that we found for gluing a number of different surfaces together. It was one of the few glues that effectively bonded plastic to stainless steel.

It works well for bonding polycarbonate, nylon, mylar, PVC, acrylic, ABS, stainless steel, and almost any other type of plastic to other surfaces.

Like many epoxies, it has a strong odor, and slow set time. It takes approximately 20 to 25 minutes for it set. However, this is a nice if you need to reposition the pieces.



Pros Slow set time

Slow set time Can bond stainless steel

Can bond stainless steel Tough bond once cured Cons Hard to remove spills and excess

Hard to remove spills and excess Strong odor

Gorilla Super Glue – Best Glue for Rhinestones on Plastic

Gorilla glue is another popular choice among craftspeople and home users. We like it because it makes a tight bond. However, after time it can become brittle and the bond will break. All in all, we think this is a good glue, but he cannot make our best choice for larger projects because of this. For most projects, it would more than do the job.

This glue works on most plastics, metal, wood, rubber, leather, paper, and ceramic.

One thing that we do like about this glue is that it is versatile. It can bond many different types of materials. However, we found that it does not bond all plastics. For instance, even though it says that it bonds styrene, we found that it made a weak bond for this type of material.

That being said, we do think that this is an excellent glue for craft projects and would highly recommend it for gluing rhinestones on plastic. It is perfect for most craft applications that involve paper, glitter, and other types of smaller projects. For projects where a small surface area is involved, we think that this is one of the best glues on the market.



Pros Sets quickly

Sets quickly Low odor

Low odor Works on most surfaces Cons High odor

High odor Can become brittle

Can become brittle Not suitable for larger projects

Gorilla Epoxy – Best Glue for Rubber to Plastic Waterproof

Out of all the glues that Gorilla Glue makes, we like this one the best. We felt that it was the most durable for most household and automatic repair jobs. Once it has dried, it is waterproof, and resistant to solvents.

It can be used on a number of different s surfaces including steel, aluminum, glass, tile, plastics, ceramic, and wood.

One thing that we liked about this glue is that it will fill uneven surfaces, gaps, and voids. While it will withstand exposure to water, such as rain when dry, it will not withstand being soaked in water. If you replace the cap as soon as you are finished applying the glue, it lasts much longer. You have about five minutes from the time you apply the glue until it begins to set. This means that you can reposition it on projects, and you have plenty of time to replace the cap before it begins to dry in the tube.



Pros Sets in 5 minutes

Sets in 5 minutes Waterproof

Waterproof Fills gaps and voids Cons Strong odor

Strong odor Can become brittle in cold weather

Oatey PVC Regular – Best Glue for PVC Pipe

Oatey PVC Regular Cement and NSF Purple Primer is especially designed for bonding PVC to PVC. First, the PVC primer is applied, and then the cement. This is a solvent-based glue, which means that it melts a little bit of each piece and welds it together.

It creates an aggressive bond that can withstand the high pressures required for bonding PVC pipes and fittings for plumbing work This is a contractor grade adhesive.

When the weld is applied, it softens the pipe, so care should be taken not to deform them. The set and cure times can take anywhere from 2 to 48 hours. The set time is dependent on temperature and the diameter of the pipe. However, once the bond is formed, it is permanent.

This is the most popular type of adhesive used by plumbers for bonding PVC pipes together.

The lids of the bottles have daubers, and the application process can be messy. You will want to cover your work area and have a place for the pipes to sit undisturbed until they are completely cured. It is approved for all schedules of PVC pipe. This is the best plastic glue if you need to bond PVC to PVC, but it will not work on any other type of plastic.



Pros Aggressive bond for PVC to PVC

Aggressive bond for PVC to PVC Best PVC adhesive

Best PVC adhesive Contractor grade adhesive

Contractor grade adhesive Best for use in plumbing applications that must be under pressure Cons Long cure time

Long cure time Solvent based, strong odor

Solvent based, strong odor Messy application process

Messy application process Only suitable for PVC

Surehold Plastic Surgery is a superglue type adhesive that is specially formulated to bond plastic to plastic. We like this one because it is water resistant and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. We also like that it dries clear, so you will never see the repair.

It is suitable for a wide range of plastics including ABS plastic, fiberglass, acrylic, nylon, polyester, PVC, polyurethane, and polycarbonate acrylic.

This glue had one of the widest ranges of plastics that it would bond. This is one of few types of glue that can be used to bond fiberglass. It sets in only 5 to 15 seconds and once it sets, it is very secure. Like many plastic types of glue, it works by melting part of both surfaces and then welding them together, making them as strong as the original.

The only thing that we did not like about it is that it is not UV resistant. It is advertised as an outdoor glue, but it will break down in UV light and eventually cause the bond to fail. This glue is perfect for small repairs but would not be recommended for large areas.



Pros Sets in 5-15 seconds

Sets in 5-15 seconds Gel no-drip formula

Gel no-drip formula Clog proof tube Cons Not UV resistant

Not UV resistant Strong odor

J-B PlasticWeld is one of the most popular epoxy type plastic glues on the market. It is an epoxy that forms a thick putty when mixed together. This means that you can shape it the way you want it and you do not have to worry about drips or runs. The most common uses for this product are both rigid and semi-flexible plastics, ABS, PVC, CPVC pipes, automotive repairs, and other applications that require a strong long-lasting bond.

This epoxy easily bonds many types of plastic. It can be used for bumpers, automotive trim, CPVC pipes, ABS, and PVC. It can also be used on fiberglass and vinyl siding.

Like many epoxies, this takes longer to set. It will set in approximately 25 minutes. However, it is completely cured in 3 hours, compared to the usual 24 or more hours for other epoxies to cure. When it cures it is off-white.

This is one of the strongest glues on the market once it is dry. It can hold up to 350 psi. It is also flexible when dry. It can be sanded, painted, sawed, and drilled once it has cured. You can use it as a filler and you will not even know that a repair was made.

J-B Weld may seem like the perfect epoxy, but it does not adhere to polypropylene, polyethylene, and a few other plastics. For the most part, it can do almost any job.



Pros Sets in 25 minutes

Sets in 25 minutes Can be sanded, drilled, and painted when dry

Can be sanded, drilled, and painted when dry Can hold up to 350 PSI when completely cured Cons Does not adhere all plastics

Does not adhere all plastics Long set time

Weld-On 790 Multi-Purpose PVC Cement is a medium bodied multi-purpose cement that is made for all classes and schedules of PVC pipe. It is a popular brand because it is low odor, does not drip as badly as other PVC pipe glues, and has a strong bond.

Suitable for all schedules of PVC pipe and diameters through 4-inch Schedule 80.

The set time depends on the diameter of the pipe and the temperature range. Colder temperatures will make it set more slowly than warmer temperatures. However, it is not recommended that this glue is used at over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).

It is suitable for use with all rigid PVC and CPVC but is not recommended for transition use. This glue can also be used for ABS and styrene pipe and pipe fittings. It can bond ABS to PVC.

This glue is more versatile than glues specifically designed for high-pressure PVC pipes, but it may not be suitable for all applications. Before using this one, you need to check with your local plumbing codes.



Pros Fast setting

Fast setting Low odor

Low odor High strength bond

High strength bond Medium bodied, low drip formula Cons May not meet the requirements of all plumbing building codes

May not meet the requirements of all plumbing building codes Can not be used in extreme temperatures

Can not be used in extreme temperatures Not suitable for high-pressure applications

Hot Stuff Instant Glue – Best for Filling Cracks

When Hot Stuff Instant Glue says instant, they mean it. This glue sets in about 3 to 5 seconds, so you need to have your pieces completely aligned before you apply the glue. This glue is designed to be as thin as water so that it will seep into cracks and hairline fractures. If you have a piece that has tiny cracks, this glue will help hold them together and keep them from splitting further.

It can be used to strengthen stone, wood, and other porous materials. That being said, it is also messy and runny. However, the set time is so fast that this is not problematic because it does not have time to run very far.

This glue can be used as a strengthening agent on fabrics, fiberglass, porous wood, stone, furniture, gun stocks, and wood that will be turned on the lathe.

When applying this clue, if you wanted to seep into cracks, or perhaps wick into cloth, you may need to apply it in layers. We found that this was one of the best all-purpose superglues on the market.



Pros Fast set time

Fast set time Best for filling hairline cracks

Best for filling hairline cracks Stops spread of splits

Stops spread of splits Can be used on fiberglass Cons Messy due to thinness

Messy due to thinness Requires a special debonder to remove from unwanted areas and hands

Requires a special debonder to remove from unwanted areas and hands Unopened glue should be kept in freezer to preserve

Buyer’s Guide – Finding the Best Glue for Plastic

With so many different types of glues on the market, it is often difficult to know which one is the right one for the job. If your project involves glue on plastic, you need to know which glue will work best.

You should choose a glue that is quick drying, quick to cure, water resistant, one that makes a firm bond, and one that is tough and long-lasting. There are many different types of plastic, and the same glue can have different properties when used on different types of plastic.



Different Types of Plastic

The following list is the most common types of plastic and the items made from them most often.

Polyethylene Terephthalate is most commonly found in plastic bottles, plastic bags, and items that are made of softer plastic. It is also known as PET or PETE plastic.

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a hard plastic that is typically used for detergent bottles, soda bottles, milk jugs, and some children’s toys.

Polyvinylchloride (PVC) is a common plastic found in things such as window frames, beach balls, garden hoses, imitation leather products, some children’s toys, and plumbing pipes and fittings.

Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE)is used in items such as floor tiles, shower curtains, squeezable plastic bottles, and outdoor furniture.

Polypropylene (PP) is typically found in straws, yogurt containers, buckets, appliances, and plastic bottle caps.

Polystyrene (PS) is found in softer items such as egg cartons, plastic model kits, disposable cups, plastic plates, Styrofoam peanuts, and CD cases. This is commonly referred to as styrene.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene-styrene (ABS) is used in harder plastic toys such as Lego’s.

Acrylic is used in many items that require the ability to see through them, such as the plastic glass on picture frames.

⇑ Return to Comparison table

Most of the time, the type of plastic is marked or stamped in raised lettering on the bottom of the product. Sometimes the type of plastic is found in the labeling or packaging.

Types of Plastic Glues

Just as different types of plastics have different properties, there are also different types of plastic glues as well. Understanding the basic categories of plastic glues can help you choose the right one, even if your item is not listed on the glue packaging.

Types of Plastic Glue

Cyanoacrylate This type of glue is the type to use when two items must be glued together tightly with no large gaps, such as items that will be clamped when they are glued. It comes in three different thicknesses for different applications. The thicker the glue, the longer it will take it to adhere the two items together. The only drawback is that it is not good for using on clear items because it will discolor them.

This type of glue is the type to use when two items must be glued together tightly with no large gaps, such as items that will be clamped when they are glued. It comes in three different thicknesses for different applications. The thicker the glue, the longer it will take it to adhere the two items together. The only drawback is that it is not good for using on clear items because it will discolor them. Model Cement This glue is recommended for rigid polystyrene, such as that found in model kits. It forms a strong bond, but you need to know that it works by dissolving the two surfaces and then molding them together so that they become one. It is possible to dissolve all the way through the plastic, as well as damage any plastic surface that you are working on.

This glue is recommended for rigid polystyrene, such as that found in model kits. It forms a strong bond, but you need to know that it works by dissolving the two surfaces and then molding them together so that they become one. It is possible to dissolve all the way through the plastic, as well as damage any plastic surface that you are working on. Epoxy The advantage to using epoxy is that it works well when the two surfaces do not match exactly. This type of glue must be mixed before using it. This type of glue works well on most plastics, but you tend to mix more than you will need for the project and waste much of it. Once it is mixed, you must use it immediately because it will begin to harden quickly. When purchasing epoxy, you need to read the labels carefully, because some of them list materials on which they are not recommended.

The advantage to using epoxy is that it works well when the two surfaces do not match exactly. This type of glue must be mixed before using it. This type of glue works well on most plastics, but you tend to mix more than you will need for the project and waste much of it. Once it is mixed, you must use it immediately because it will begin to harden quickly. When purchasing epoxy, you need to read the labels carefully, because some of them list materials on which they are not recommended. Multi-Purpose This type of glue works well on many surfaces, but it does not work well with most plastics. They will bond plastic, but may not be the best choice.

Tips for Working with Glues

Regardless of the type of glue, or surface, you are trying to bond together, there are certain guidelines that will help make your project a success.

Make sure that both surfaces are clean and dry before you begin the gluing process.

Rough surfaces are easier to glue than smooth ones. You can use some sandpaper to roughen the surface of each piece that you will glued together.

Be sure to read the set time on the package. The set time and cure time are different. When the glue is set, it means that it is bonded, but the glue is still soft and will break apart easily. Set and cure times should be listed on the package.

Make sure you read directions about the washing and care of the item once it is dry.

Safety Precautions

When using any type of glue, it is important to adhere to several safety precautions. Always work in a well-ventilated area. It is best to work outdoors, or in a room with plenty of ventilation. The fumes from the glues can cause nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness, skin irritation, eye irritation, and headaches. Some glues suggest the use of gloves to protect your skin. Be certain to get gloves made from the right type of plastic, or you could easily glue them together, or to your fingers. Be sure to read all of the instructions and warnings on the glue label.

Conclusion

Now that you understand the different types of glues and plastics that are available, you also know how to choose the best one for your job. With the help of these tips and suggestions, you should be able to make any project a success. The most important thing is to be sure to choose the right glue for your job and be sure to follow all of the safety instructions.

When all is said and done, we think that Loctite Ultra Control Gel is the best glue for any job that you need to do involving plastic. The reason why we picked this one is because it bonds the most number of different surfaces together. It is great when you have to bond plastic to something else such as metal or wood. We like that it sets quickly, and that it is a gel that will not run when it is applied. For most jobs, we feel that this would be the best glue for the job.