As durable as rubber is, it isn’t impervious to the usual wear and tear. And with many everyday items using rubber components, you may find yourself wondering how to fix things when they do break. For many, a roll of tape may be an option, but there is a better solution. The best glue for rubber can put together anything from boots to art projects to even old garden hoses.
But not all rubber glues will give you the best results. With our list of best adhesive for rubber, you’ll get the right amount of sticky for your projects.
Click here to skip to our recommended pick!
- Works for many surfaces and materials
- Very fast setting
- No clamping required
- Very fast setting
- Super strong bond
- Easy to apply
- Quickly dries in 20 - 45 seconds
- Dissolves with acetone
- Forms shock resistant bonds for most non-porous materials
- Works on rubber, vinyl, glass, cork, wood, metal, concrete, leather and more
- Includes an applicator brush
- Is neoprene-based
- Works on a wide range of materials, including glass, rubber, ceramic, and more
- Dries clear and is paintable
- Safe to use on photographs
- Dries within 10 – 45 seconds
- Dries clear and is paintable
- Made to handle drops and impacts
- Mildew and mold resistant
- Waterproof and resists weathering
- Comes in clear, gray, black, blue, white, ultimate gray, ultimate copper and ultimate black
- Waterproof
- Creates extra traction on surfaces
- Acts as a clear coat sealant
- No mess brush applicator
- Dries clear
- Works for all types of rubber repairs
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue
If you are looking for the best type of glue for rubber, it would have to be epoxy. Epoxy generally comes in two parts, the resin and the hardener. When the resin and hardener are mixed, a chemical reaction occurs which causes the resin to harden into a plastic. Epoxy features a high bond strength and the ability to bond many material types.
In terms of our overall #1 rated pick, it is Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue. This is the case for a number of reasons.
- Extreme bond strength
- Easy to dispense
- Drip-free formula
What is interesting to note is that this is technically super glue, not an epoxy, but that said, it works great for rubber.
One reason is because this glue is actually toughened with rubber, or in other words, it is so strong because it actually contains rubber.
You may like how this glue can be used for a variety of materials including metal, rubber, ceramics, wood, leather, paper, and plastics, thus making it very versatile.
This glue dries totally clear, so you won’t be able to see it once dry, plus it sets without any clamping. Thanks to its no drip and run-free formula, it won’t make a mess either. The applicator tips and the squeeze bottle also make it easy to use.
Once cured, this glue is very strong, yet also flexible, so it does have high impact, shock, and vibration resistance.
Types Of Rubber
Each type of rubber has different properties and requires specific types of glue.
- Natural Rubber: This type of rubber is made from latex or sap. The natural rubber needs a glue that dries quickly with no odor and has a high strength.
- Synthetic Rubber: This type of rubber is made from polyisoprene. The glue should be water-soluble and high in strength with limited odor.
- Silicone Rubber: This type of rubber is made from silicone or synthetic resin, such as acrylic nitrate ester or butadiene acrylonitrile rubbers. It needs a polymer that can withstand heat and resists oxidation (the process where outside air reacts with the material).
- EPDM/Neoprene Sheet Linings for Chemical Processes: These types of liners are typically found on tanks used to store chemicals that need protection against corrosion, chemical attack, foam formation, foaming agents etc. You will want your adhesive to be inert to the chemicals it is bonding.
- Rubber Bands: These need a glue that will cure at room temperature, but still has enough strength for use on surfaces like rubber bands.
Type of Glue Recomendations
- For Natural Rubber – Cyanoacrylate or Epoxy Adhesive is the best adhesive to use when bonding anything that is made of rubber.
- For Synthetic Rubber – Polyurethane Glue with Acrylic Dispersant
- Silicone and EPDM/Neoprene Sheet Linings (Chemical Process) – Epoxy Resin Bonding Systems
- For Rubbers Band – Contact Cement.
The Best Glue for Rubber
The top best product [hide]
Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue
Do keep in mind that this is an instant adhesive that sets and bond within mere minutes, so fast that it does not require any clamping, another very convenient aspect. We personally also like the easy squeeze bottle, as it helps make application much easier.
- No drip formula
- Clear Drying
- Easy to dispense
3M Scotch-Weld Plastic & Rubber Instant Adhesive
This is a very fast setting type of glue, and should take only a few minutes to fully cure, so for most applications, it should not require any clamping. It does also feature a decent level of impact resistance, moisture resistance, temperature resistance, and solvent resistance. That said, it is not 100% waterproof, heat proof, or solvent proof.
- For plastic and rubber
- Near instant setting
- Very high tensile strength
Sugru Moldable Glue
Moreover, this glue can be used for ceramics, metal, glass, wood, plaster, stone, brick, rubber, plastics, and fabrics. Once you have it in place, it will take between 12 and 24 hours to fully harden into silicone rubber. Also, once hardened, it remains very flexible and has amazing shock and impact resistance. What is nice is that you have about 30 minutes to mold and apply it before it hardens.
- Works with many materials
- Moldable
- Mess free
IC-2000 Rubber Toughened Extra Strength Adhesive
Barge All-Purpose Cement
E6000 Craft Adhesive – Waterproof Glue for Rubber to Plastic
Gorilla Glue Super Gel
J-B Weld 31310 Clear All-Purpose RTV Silicone Sealant and Adhesive<
Shoe Goo Repair Adhesive and Protective Coating
Elmer’s E904 Rubber Cement – Non-toxic
Slime Rubber Cement
Types of Glue for Rubber
Are you short on time or just want a quick answer?
Check out our list below for a summary of our results.
- Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue (Paintable)
- 3M Scotch-Weld Plastic & Rubber Instant Adhesive (Waterproof)
- Sugru Moldable Glue (Temperature resistant)
- IC-2000 Rubber Toughened Extra Strength Adhesive (Fast-drying)
- Barge All-Purpose Cement (Mildew and mold resistant)
- E6000 Craft Adhesive – Waterproof Glue for Rubber to Plastic (Abrasion-resistant)
- Gorilla Glue Super Gel (Non-toxic)
- J-B Weld 31310 Clear All-Purpose RTV Silicone Sealant and Adhesive< (Solvent resistant)
- Shoe Goo Repair Adhesive and Protective Coating
- Elmer’s E904 Rubber Cement – Non-toxic
- Slime Rubber Cement
There are a variety of glue types that can be used for bonding rubber, so let’s take a quick look at each one right now.
Epoxy
Epoxies are a good bet to go with. Although they require some mixing, as they consist of two components, they tend to form a very strong bond with a high level of resistance to moisture, chemicals, and solvents. This type of glue is ideal for all sorts of tasks and can usually bond with a wide variety of materials. It works great for gluing rubber to rubber, as well as a general adhesive for rubber.
Two Part Acrylic
These adhesives are somewhat similar to epoxies. They also come in two separate components that need to be mixed before use, and just like epoxy, they form a certain type of plastic once hardened, which in this case is acrylic. This is a good option to go with for many projects, especially larger ones, as two-part acrylic does not require much surface prep. This type of glue works great for hard to join surfaces, plus it usually comes with a decent level of chemical and water resistance.
Silicone Based
Silicone based glues are great if you need something that will remain flexible when dried. These are ideal for applications that involve water, as silicone based glue is 100% waterproof once cured, which is why it is used in aquarium repairs and makes for a perfect option to glue rubber to rubber, particularly for outdoor applications. Silicone based glue often has high resistance to heat, and due to its flexibility, can withstand a great deal of impact.
Cyanoacrylate
This type of glue is more commonly referred to as super glue. Super glue is generally very fast setting and curing. It usually dries and cures within minutes, or in some cases, even within seconds. Although the sheer strength of super glue is not great, it does have high tensile strength and is generally resistant to most forms of damage and degradation.
How to Glue Rubber to Rubber
Here we have a convenient video tutorial on how to glue rubber to rubber for you to take a look at.
What to Consider When Selecting Glue for Rubber
There are no two types of rubber glue that are exactly alike. Rubber bonds differently depending on the adhesive you use. And of these many types of rubber glues, you’ll find most formulas are among the following:
- Epoxy is a type of adhesive that combines epoxy resin and rubber modifiers to create rubber epoxy. It’s useful for industrial applications.
- Two-part Acrylic is an adhesive that can bond rubber to plastics and lasts longer than other rubber bonding agents.
- Silicone-based is a type of strong, flexible glue. These adhesives require curing to maintain a strong bond between materials.
- Cyanoacrylate is an acrylic resin commonly known as super glue. This adhesive works well for gluing rubber to rubber or any other material.
Getting the rubber to stick like glue only requires one additional ingredient – a rubber adhesive. But not all rubber material is the same. You may be on the lookout for the glue to fix your shoe or tire. Below you’ll find a table that can help you pick the best glue for the job.
Gluing rubber to plastic
Gluing rubber to plastic may seem hard at first. But all you need is either an all-purpose adhesive or a two-part acrylic formula. Two-part acrylics are the best glue for rubber to plastic bonding.
Before you use any rubber adhesive, you’ll want to check the plastic’s surface energy. The surface energy will help you determine how well the rubber will bond to the plastic. Examples of high energy plastics are ABS plastics, while low energy plastics are polyethylene and polypropylene.
High energy plastics will bond well with most adhesives, while low energy plastics require a glue that works with that specific type of plastic. For the best results, make sure the plastic and rubber areas are clean before bonding.
See also – Best Glue for rubber to plastic
Gluing rubber to metal
The best adhesive for rubber to metal bonds is an epoxy glue. Any adhesive that bonds rubber to metal will also work.
To get the rubber to bond well with the metal, you’ll first need to sand the surface of the metal with sandpaper. After you have sanded the metal, begin wiping down both surfaces. This helps the adhesive work when bonding the two materials together.
Once the surfaces are ready for bonding, add a thin layer of glue to both. Depending on the type of glue you use, you’ll need to let the adhesive set before putting the materials together. Reposition the materials as needed before you clamp them together with a C-clamp. After you have the clamp is in place, let the glue dry – between 24 to 72 hours.
See also – Best Glue for rubber to metal
Gluing rubber to wood
Getting rubber to stick to wood is easy! To bond rubber to wood, use any adhesive that offers water-resistance and temperature-resistance. To get your rubber to adhere well to wood, you’ll need to wipe the rubber and wood surfaces clean and then let them dry.
With the surfaces clean and ready to go, you can apply the adhesive to both surfaces. Press the rubber into the wood and let sit for at least one minute. After, put the attached piece in a well-ventilated area for an hour, or until everything dries completely.
Safety Precautions
- Always wear gloves when using any sort of glue
- Always wear old clothes, as most glues will bond with and/or stain fabric
- If using adhesive for rubber, wearing eye protection may be a good idea
- Always work in a well ventilated area to avoid inhaling potentially dangerous fumes
Glue for rubber - FAQ
Does Gorilla glue work on rubber?
Does hot glue work on rubber?
Does rubber cement work on plastic?
Does silicone stick to rubber?
Conclusion
Making rubber stick to anything almost seems impossible. But with our top pick (or any of the alternatives), you can bond rubber to just about any material. We hope this guide helps you find the best rubber glue that will make your next project come together.
