Many individuals enjoy working with acrylics because of their versatility and availability. Unfortunately, not all types of glue work properly with the durable, nonporous material. To find the best glue for your acrylics, you need to understand the different types of glue, as well as what application method would be the most effective. Instead of leaving you on your own when it comes to finding an effective option for your projects, we’ve developed this guide to help you identify the best glue for acrylic that are currently available.
Click here to skip to our recommended pick!
- Includes a 60 day guarantee
- Thick viscosity
- Rapid drying
- Dries in 5 seconds
- High tensile strength
- Dries clear
- Dries rapidly
- Dries clear
- Effective in numerous environments
- Not affected by solvents
- Easy to apply
- Durable
- Strong and durable
- Fast drying
- Suitable for all types of acrylics
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Glue Masters Professional Grade Cyanoacrylate
Out of these options, the simplest and most versatile choice is the Glue Masters Professional Grade Cyanoacrylate. This is a strong super glue capable of adhering acrylics of all types – it’s even functional on rubber as well. This glue has the perfect viscosity for easy application and is of industrial strength.
There are some obvious pros, including:
- Improved durability
- Rapid drying
- No cracking
- Water-resistance
Some of the potential cons are:
- The strong scent
- The tip clogs easily
Glue for Acrylic – Buying Guide
When choosing the right glue for acrylics, it’s important to know what type of glue would work best for you. Here is some basic information to help you make the right decision.
Acrylic can refer to a broad range of materials, including fake nails, fabric, and plastics. However, when someone refers to glue for basic acrylic, they want a substance which will stick to plastics. Acrylics are thermoplastics or thermosettling plastics which are used in numerous substances. There are numerous types of acrylics, so you need to know what type you are working with before choosing a glue that will work properly.
Because of their synthetic nature, sometimes glue struggle to adhere to the surface of acrylic materials. For this reason, it is important to know the types of glue and which one will work the best for your project.
Types of Glue for Acrylic
Glue is any substance used to adhere one piece of material to another. It has a broad definition, and glue can be made from a variety of substances.
For example, it used to be made out of horses – but almost all modern options are synthetic.
When you are working on a project at home, the glues you are most likely to encounter are craft, wood, super (Cyanoacrylate), epoxy, polyurethane, fabric, and spray.
- Craft: This is the basic white glue you might encounter while in elementary school or working with craft materials like popsicle sticks and foam. It is weak and liquid, not meant to last.
- Wood: This is a water-based glue which is more rigid and slow-acting. The wood needs to be held in place for 24 hours for maximum efficiency.
- Super: Superglue is also called cyanoacrylate and is designed to dry quickly and permanently. It works on a broad range of materials, including acrylics.
- Epoxy: Epoxies are strong and designed to attach substrates of all kinds in extreme environments.
- Polyurethane: An easy to use multipurpose glue which is effective on wood, plastic, fibers, fabrics, and even metal.
- Fabric: A liquid glue designed to permeate and adhere fabrics of all kinds.
- Spray: A contact adhesive which is sprayed over a large area and dries quickly.
Out of these options, the most effective for acrylics are super and polyurethane glue, which can adhere to the nonporous surface of the plastics with ease. It is important when choosing the right type of glue to avoid buying nail glue, as certain types of fake nails are called acrylics.
If you are using professional grade acrylics, then you need to utilize a solvent-based glue. These products have a chemical composition designed to not damage the acrylics while fusing them together. A couple options are included on this list.
Users should note they are stronger than the average glue and require care to avoid damaging your skin and any nearby materials.
Choosing an Application Style
Just as there are many types of glue, there are also a ton of application styles. For acrylics, you might see sprays, liquids, and even sticks. However, the best style is a liquid because it is easy to control and does not cover a large surface area. You can eliminate extra, use a control tip to manage where the glue goes, and even apply extra without difficulty.
When working with acrylics, avoid using glue sticks. These tend to be the weakest form of glue and are also difficult to control. It is common to end up with excess and for the hands to become sticky before the project is completed.
Glue for Acrylics Safety Tips
Although most glue for acrylics are straightforward, there are still a couple of essential safety tips to remember. Plus, these tips can help you get the most accurate glue placement so you can avoid leaving behind excess.
- Never inhale the fumes from the glue
- Rinse away excess glue
- Do not ingest any amount of the material
- Remember it is better to use a small amount until you are certain you need more
- Wear gloves and goggles when using strong glue
These tips sound basic, but there is often the risk of accidentally ingesting the material or damaging your senses from inhaling the fumes of the glue.
The Best Glue for Acrylic
The top best product [hide]
Glue Masters Professional Grade Cyanoacrylate – Super Glue for Acrylics
- Shock resistant
- Versatile
- Easy to apply
Gorilla 7700104 Super Glue Gel
The gel formula combined with the no run cap allows you to confidently address the repair or project without worrying about messes or dripping, creating a safe, clean workspace without errors of excessive product waste.
Additionally, this product is an incredibly fast setting, drying in less than a minute. The bond is immovable at this point but does require more time to fully cure into a permanent adhesion, which is true with most glue products.
As a whole, this glue is a great option to have on hand for a wide range of adhesive needs, especially if you work with acrylic, which is a bit notorious for being finicky when it comes to bonding agents. You cannot go wrong with this fantastic option, especially for the price for the volume of contents in the bottle!
Weld-On 4 Acrylic Adhesive
This is a large batch of solvent glue that creates permanent bonds and, for the price, you are getting an excellent deal overall. Still, there are some downsides to using this product, mainly concerning messiness and difficulty placing the product.
You must get the product from the initial can-style packaging into the applicator bottle for each use. This can be messy in itself, but a bigger problem arises when attempting to clean the excess product from the applicator for future use if you need to do so. The applicator is prone to causing the product inside to dry out over time, so leaving it in is not necessarily an option unless you use this product regularly.
That being said, many reviewers and users report this product works well with other application methods and that this entire issue can be remedied by skipping the applicator bottle and working with the product directly. For the strength and permanence of the bond, many believe this product is wholly worth it.
Aron Alpha Type 232 Instant Adhesive – Rapid Drying Glue for Acrylics
- Extremely strong
- Fast drying
- Suitable for nonporous materials
Loctite Clear Silicone – Clear Drying Glue for Acrylics
This is one of the only glues which is considered fully waterproof and works well at keeping out the elements. It also dries clear and is impact resistant despite being flexible. While it takes 24 hours to fully clear, it dries in less than 5 minutes and can be used in a broad range of temperatures and environments. It is made from 100% silicone. If you want flexibility for your acrylic project, this is a great glue.
- Waterproof
- Easy to apply
- Shock resistant
Loctite Epoxy Plastic Bonder – Epoxy Bonder for Acrylics
- Resistant to moisture
- Resistant to humidity
- Bonds multiple acrylic types
3M Scotch-Weld Plastic & Rubber Instant Adhesive – Low Viscosity Glue for Acrylics
- Precise application
- Dries rapidly
- Low viscosity
Glue for Acrylic FAQ
Do I need to use a solvent glue when working with acrylics?
How long does the glue take to cure?
Can I use solvent-based glue on laser-cut extruded acrylic?
Should I wear rubber gloves when working with acrylic glue?
Conclusion
Working with acrylics is challenging but rewarding. This unique category of materials provides you with many options for projects, but does require you use the right type of glue. When you are looking for the best glue for standard acrylics, we recommend the Aron Alpha Type 232 Instant Adhesive. This adhesive is easy to use and creates a tight bond in minutes, helping you prep and finish the rest of your project. If this style is too strong for you, using Glue Masters Professional Grade Cyanoacrylate would also be an excellent choice.
