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.
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
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 top best product
- 1 Types of Glue
- 2 Choosing an Application Style
- 3 Glue for Acrylics Safety Tips
- 4 Important Note
- 5 Aron Alpha Type 232 Instant Adhesive – Rapid Drying Glue for Acrylics
- 6 Loctite Clear Silicone – Clear Drying Glue for Acrylics
- 7 Loctite Epoxy Plastic Bonder – Epoxy Bonder for Acrylics
- 8 3M Scotch-Weld Plastic & Rubber Instant Adhesive – Low Viscosity Glue for Acrylics
- 9 Glue Masters Professional Grade Cyanoacrylate – Super Glue for Acrylics
- 10 Do I need to use a solvent glue when working with acrylics?
- 11 How long does the glue take to cure?
- 12 Can I use solvent-based glue on laser-cut extruded acrylic?
- 13 Should I wear rubber gloves when working with acrylic glue?
The Best Glue for Acrylic
Aron Alpha Type 232 Instant Adhesive – Rapid Drying Glue for Acrylics
Fast drying
Suitable for nonporous materials
High tensile strength
Dries clear
Can dry too fast
Low viscosity
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.
Easy to apply
Shock resistant
Dries clear
Effective in numerous environments
Does not drip
Difficult to remove
Tube is hard to seal
Loctite Epoxy Plastic Bonder – Epoxy Bonder for Acrylics
While the Loctite Epoxy Plastic Bonder is simple and straightforward, it takes awhile to set and can be quite slippery. However, there are multiple tubes to control the flow of the glue, and instructions are included for proper bonding.
Resistant to humidity
Bonds multiple acrylic types
Easy to apply
Durable
Shock resistant
Does not shrink or expand
Slippery
Bonds slowly
3M Scotch-Weld Plastic & Rubber Instant Adhesive – Low Viscosity Glue for Acrylics
Dries rapidly
Low viscosity
Fast drying
Suitable for all types of acrylics
Hard to remove
Packaging clogs
Glue Masters Professional Grade Cyanoacrylate – Super Glue for Acrylics
Unlike other options, this product also comes with a 60 day guarantee which is easy to request if you are dissatisfied with your results.
Versatile
Easy to apply
Thick viscosity
Rapid drying
Easy to spread
Thinner than expected
FAQ
Do I need to use a solvent glue when working with acrylics?
To get the best results, you do want to utilize a solvent glue. That is because these specially made glues are designed to soften the structure of the acrylics to create a better bond. Your pieces will now be chemically attached, which also improves the drying speed.
How long does the glue take to cure?
While most glues will ‘dry’ in less than 5 minutes, it can take between 24 and 48 hours for the glue to cure properly. To improve the bond, you can use clamps to hold the pieces of acrylic together to ensure they don’t slip or fail to adhere properly.
Can I use solvent-based glue on laser-cut extruded acrylic?
No. Unfortunately, the chemical makeup of solvent-based glue can cause laser-cut extruded acrylic to crack and break. If you are working with style of acrylic, it is better to use a water-based glue.
Should I wear rubber gloves when working with acrylic glue?
Yes. Depending on the type of glue you are using, the ingredients can be quite caustic. Another issue is with the glue become stuck to the skin. If you do not have the proper materials to remove it, it is possible to accidentally rip or damage your skin.
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.
