Neoprene is a synthetic polymer that resembles water. It is durable and thermally stable. It is a material resistant to heat, oil, and weathering.

So, to glue neoprene to rubber, you need to use glue that creates a strong bond between both surfaces. 

Here are the recommended adhesives to glue neoprene to rubber:

• Neoprene rubber contact glue 
• Contact cement glue 
• Super glue 

Keep reading to also discover the exact steps to glue neoprene to rubber. 

The Best Glue To Glue Neoprene To Rubber

Let’s learn a bit about each adhesive to know which one is best suited for your project. 

Neoprene Rubber Contact Adhesive

Here are the main features of this glue:

• Solvent-based 
• Ideal for gluing porous neoprene rubber to natural or neoprene rubber 
• Offers a permanent and flexible bond 
• Bonds fast 
• Provides high initial strength even without clamps 

Contact Cement Glue

This is what you should keep in mind about contact cement:

• Great to glue neoprene to rubber 
• Offers a strong and permanent bond 
• It is somewhat flexible 

Super Glue

Super Glue is a well-known adhesive that is used for its ability to offer a very strong bond for various surfaces, including neoprene and rubber. 

Super glue:

• Dries almost instantly (within seconds)
• You can dissolve super glue if you aren’t satisfied with the final result 

In conclusion, for this part, contact cement and super glue are ideal for long-term adhesion. If the parts you glue need high or considerable flexing, then you should use neoprene rubber contact glue.

How To Glue Neoprene To Rubber: The Exact Steps You Can Easily Follow

If you have worked on a few different gluing projects, you already know that simply gluing two materials together won’t do the trick. 

Preparing your surfaces correctly will help the glue have good adhesion and create a strong and durable bond that will hold up well with time. 

So let’s see how you should prepare your neoprene and rubber before gluing them. It is easy, and it won’t take long. 

Step One: Prepare both surfaces.

The main goal here is to ensure that both surfaces are very clean. They should be free of dust particles, debris, grease stains, or any other stain. 

Use isopropyl alcohol and a clean cloth to clean both surfaces well. 

You can wait for them to air dry or use a clean cloth to dry them. 

Step Two: Apply the glue

Before you move on to applying the glue, consider putting on protective gloves. Depending on what adhesive you choose, some may run more easily, having a higher chance of some of it ending up on your skin. 

Wearing gloves won’t only save you the time of cleaning it up from your skin, but it also protects your skin from various effects caused by the glue, such as dryness. 

Okay, let’s get to the good part now. 

Follow these steps to glue neoprene to rubber:

1. If you are using neoprene rubber contact adhesive or contact cement glue, use a clean brush to apply and spread the glue (contact cement adhesives usually come with a built-in small brush)
2. Apply one layer of the adhesive to both surfaces
3. Please wait for the glue to dry until it becomes tacky and doesn’t easily stick to the touch
4. Align the two surfaces
5. Gently but firmly press them together 
6. Use tools that can act as weights, or use clamps or tape to keep the two surfaces secured together until the adhesive fully cures 

If you are using super glue, after you apply it, you need to press the two surfaces together as it dries within seconds. If it dries before you attach the two materials, then the bond won’t work. 

The drying and curing time depends on the product and type of adhesive you use. 

Please read the manufacturer’s instructions on how long it will take for the glue to dry and cure fully. This varies. 

Tips To Bonding Neoprene With A Better Adhesion And For A Stronger Bond

There is a key method to effectively bond neoprene. To bond neoprene to any surface, you need to apply pressure. 

When you attach neoprene to rubber (or any other surface), apply extra firm pressure for a minimum of 15-30 seconds. 

Depending on the size of your project, you can do so with the help of your hands, clamps, or any other tool that can get this job done. 

If you find that the glue isn’t creating the strong adhesion you need, especially on a large project, here are some helpful tips to try and implement into your steps:

1. Rough up the neoprene using sandpaper 
2. Make sure you clean the surfaces with a solution that won’t leave residue behind 
3. Use an adhesion promoter 
4. Warm up both surfaces using a hair dryer or a heat gun (stop before they become hot to the touch) before applying the glue 

Conclusion

Decide what aspects are most important when gluing neoprene to rubber:

• Are you simply looking for a long-term adhesion?
• Do you need glue that will allow the glued parts to flex easily?

Once you know what you need your adhesive to achieve, you can choose between neoprene rubber contact glue, contact cement glue or super glue, and you can glue neoprene to rubber in a few very easy steps.