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Top 5 Best Glue for Plastic

Finding the best glue for plastic is a daunting task because any ordinary glue won’t bond the slippery edges and surface of the plastic. There are different glues that you can use for plastic, but finding the right type of glue that meets all the needs and requirements of your plastic is a whole different ball game.

This post will assist you in making the right choice. We will also reveal critical features that you must consider before buying the best glue for plastic.

So, let’s get on the way without further ado!

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Product
Best Overall
Tamiya 87038 Glue
  • Glues small pieces precisely
  • Good for polystyrene plastic
  • Flows smoothly for covering the gaps
Testors 3509C Glue - for ABS Plastic
  • The pack consists of two tubes; each contains 0.87 ounces of glue
  • A great model for a strong bond
  • Available in two models
Amazing GOOP 160012 Adhesive - for Automotive Plastic
  • Withstands heat of more than 150-degree Fahrenheit
  • Withstands heat of more than 150-degree Fahrenheit
  • More effective and super sealant
Loctite 681925 Glue - for Hard Plastic
  • Easy to apply
  • Sets quickly
  • Delivers industrial strength
GLUESMITH Adhesive - for Polypropylene Plastic
  • Great multipurpose adhesive
  • Easy to use
  • Supports many stress surfaces

Our Overall #1 Rated Pick

Tamiya 87038

Tamiya 87038

Tamiya 87038 glue is the best overall glue for plastic because its extra thin cement flows smoothly, and you can glue together the pieces of polystyrene plastic.

It comes with a pinpoint tip so you can use it for erasing the gap between small pieces of plastic. Furthermore, the fine tip makes it easy to use.

You can also use this adhesive for DIY projects, model building or other crafts projects.

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Glue for Plastic – Buying Guide & FAQs

What Type of Glue Use for bonding Plastic

Plastic lacks porosity and roughness, which makes it difficult for the glue to find anything on which to bond. That’s because different types of glues and adhesives either dissolve or don’t bond well with plastics. It will help if you have an adhesive that works specifically with plastic and the types of plastic you’re using.

How Does Plastic Glue Works

This glue contains solvents that work when you push the glue out of the tube (the solvents also prevent the glue from sticking to the tube). These solvents either evaporate into the air when you push them out of the tube, or they are absorbed by the surface on which you apply them.

Once the solvent is vaporized, the molecules of polystyrene lock together and form a very strong chemical bond. The unpleasant smell dissipates when dry because of the vaporized solvents.

Glues for different types of plastics

Glue for Plastic

There are different types of plastics, and you need to understand their nature before you start looking for the appropriate glue. There are plastics with the recycling symbol and they are marked with “PS” or “6.”

These polystyrene plastics are used for simple and basic level items, including plastic bowls, disposable cutlery and fashion bags. The best glue for this type of plastic is poly cement glue.
Other types of plastic, such as drainpipes, are used for commercial or industrial purposes. Some special kinds of plastic are used to make different types of medical equipment and even bulletproof vests. Biocompatible adhesives are used for such plastics.

Glue for hard plastic

High density or hard plastics are used to make containers, buckets or crates. These plastics are polypropylene or polyethylene. Your regular white or wood glue, or common adhesives, are not going to work with these materials.

A cyanoacrylate adhesive is ideal here because it is resistant to water and it dries fast and clear. This glue is best for automotive plastic, eyeglass frame plastic and laptop plastic. You can also use this to fix fridge plastic.

Glue for clear plastic

The glue for clear or flexible plastics are frequently used in households, and you can apply them on toys or shoes, etc. Vinyl adhesives are ideal for working with these materials because they are waterproof and they won’t break with UV exposure.

This glue is suitable for nylon plastic, plastic toys, plastic models and miniatures, as well as foam to plastic applications.

Gluing plastic to plastic

Gluing plastic to plastic

To glue plastic with plastic, make sure that you get rid of any grease from the surfaces that you want to join. You can do so with the help of soap or isopropyl alcohol. For minimizing the oil residue, you need to avoid touching the surfaces after they are washed.

Next, with the help of sandpaper, you need to create a rough surface for the glue to bond effectively. Emery cloth or steel wool will work, too. Now prepare your glue and apply it using a needle tip or small brush. Then hold the surfaces tightly together until dry.

Gluing Plastic to other materials

Gluing plastic to other materials

Depending on your projects, you will also have to work with other materials in combination with plastic. Here are a few of the most commonly used materials in combination with plastics and the glue that will work the best for each combination.

Here, an epoxy plastic bonder will produce the best results. Epoxies work better with ABS, PVC, Plexiglas, polycarbonate and polystyrene. But epoxies do have a slow drying time.

  • Glue for plastic to wood

Super glue is going to work wonders here due to its cyanoacrylate content. It has a very speedy drying time, and it is not runny, which means that you can apply it with ease. It is resistant to water and will hold for a long time.

Vinyl adhesive is the best choice – it is a clear liquid bond that you can use for flexible or clear plastics with fabric. It is water and UV proof and works outdoors as well.

A butyl formula based glue makes it better than standard super glue to work on smooth surfaces. Make sure that you sand the plastic surface before you apply the glue, and hold the two surfaces together tightly for optimal results. This glue is good for acrylic plastic.

Tips for gluing plastic

Glue plastic

Make sure that you thoroughly clean the plastic surface prior to applying the glue. You can wash the surface with soap or any plastic-specific cleaner. You can also use isopropyl alcohol for cleaning purposes.

It is better to create a rough surface before you apply the glue. You can do this by sanding it using sandpaper (120 to 240 grits). An emery cloth or steel wool can also work. But keep in mind that you only need to rub it briefly.

For better precision, you need to use small application tools. A needle tip or a small paintbrush will be quite handy.

When using 2-part adhesives or epoxies, you need to be very precise with the blending ratio for ideal results; follow the instructions carefully.

You can use clamps, tape or elastics to hold the surfaces together; curing times for different glues can range from a few seconds to 24 hours.

Make sure to get rid of any spillage or excess glue with the help of isopropyl or denatured alcohol. Spirits are also handy in such scenarios.

Best Glue for Plastic

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Tamiya 87038 Glue


Tamiya 87038 Glue
If you are looking for cement glue for polystyrene plastic, then we recommend Tamiya 8708 glue. This extra thin glue comes with a fine tip so you can use it to cover gaps between small pieces of plastic by capillary action. The bottle of Tamiya cement glue contains 1.35 ounces glue. The recommended age to use this glue is 12 years and up.
Technical Specifications:
  • Best gap eraser
  • Bonds with finesse & accuracy
  • Pointed tip for convenient use
Pros
Glues small pieces precisely
Good for polystyrene plastic
Flows smoothly for covering the gaps
Cons
Slight toxic smell

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Testors 3509C Glue - for ABS Plastic


Testors 3509C Glue - for ABS Plastic
Do you want to glue pieces of ABS and polystyrene plastic together? Well, you can purchase Testors 3509C glue for joining both polystyrene and ABS plastics. The best thing is that your purchase comes with four precisions tips for convenient usage. Thus, you can use it for model building, DIY and other craft projects. It is suitable for people 15 years and up.
Technical Specifications:
  • Comes with four precision tips
  • Easy to use
  • Quick-drying
Pros
The pack consists of two tubes; each contains 0.87 ounces of glue
A great model for a strong bond
Available in two models
Cons
Rigid to use on small details

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Amazing GOOP 160012 Adhesive - for Automotive Plastic


Amazing GOOP 160012 Adhesive - for Automotive Plastic
Amazing GOOP 160012 Adhesive is the strongest and single component for repairing and maintaining upholstery. It is the best waterproof glue for plastic so you can use it for sealing a car’s lights, mats, seats, handles and more. It is the best glue for fiberglass, plastic, vinyl, leather or metal. Additionally, it is more effective for protecting the terminals of a battery as compared to silicone. It is suitable for people 18 years and up.
Technical Specifications:
  • Perfectly bonds to glass, metal, vinyl, plastic or leather
  • Paintable and waterproof
Pros
Withstands heat of more than 150-degree Fahrenheit
Withstands heat of more than 150-degree Fahrenheit
More effective and super sealant
Cons
Not strong for leather

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Loctite 681925 Glue - for Hard Plastic


 Loctite 681925 Glue - for Hard Plastic
Loctite 681925 glue bonding system is not only the best epoxy glue for plastic, it also provides an industrial strength bond to other materials, including polycarbonate, Plexiglas, polystyrene, polypropylene, PVC, polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or Teflon. Furthermore, you can use it on wood, cardboard, fabric, ceramic, rubber, cork, paper, rubber, metal and chipboard. It is suitable for people 15 years and up. If your toilet has a visible crack, you can use this glue to seal it. So much glue (24 grams) at such an affordable price, this ceramic glue for toilet can keep its bond for many years.
Technical Specifications:
  • Multi-purpose bonding system
  • It comes with a 0.14 ounces activator
  • Water-resistant & dries transparent
Pros
Easy to apply
Sets quickly
Delivers industrial strength
Cons
Too fast to set, so can’t make the connection

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GLUESMITH Adhesive - for Polypropylene Plastic


GLUESMITH Adhesive - for Polypropylene Plastic
If you want to support many stress surfaces, GLUESMITH adhesive may be a good choice. It comes with a complete kit that includes industrial thick and thin adhesive, along with an activator. Moreover, you can use powder and activator for hard-to-glue plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene. The recommended age to use this glue is 12 years and up.
Technical Specifications:
  • Shelf life of 2 years
  • Premium coating of the bottle prevents clogs
  • Suitable for hard plastic
Pros
Great multipurpose adhesive
Easy to use
Supports many stress surfaces
Cons
Not glue polyethylene

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Tamiya 87038

Tamiya 87038 is our best pick for gluing plastic. The best advantage of this glue is that it comes with a pointed tip so you can easily use it to glue small pieces of plastic. This extra thin adhesive can fill and erase gaps between small pieces of plastic by capillary action. Tamiya glue flows smoothly for delivering finesse and accuracy. Additionally, the glass bottle is nice and heavy, but you can grip it comfortably.

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Conclusion

There are different types of plastics, and each type of plastic requires a different type of glue in various projects. The right kind of glue for the right kind of plastic will ensure that you get the desired results in the required time frame. Before applying these adhesives to your plastic surfaces, make sure to sand them for better results, and hold the two pieces together firmly.

Have you ever used any of the glues and adhesives mentioned above? Which one did you find most useful? Share your thoughts by leaving your comments and suggestions below!

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