Plastic is a common component in various objects, from car upholstery to eyeglasses frames, interior decorations, clothing accessories, kitchen props, and many more.

But there aren’t many universal glues that work on all plastics. This article will teach you about the best plastic-compatible glues for various applications.

This article will find suitable options for all plastic materials and applications.

Whether you’re working with polystyrene, ABS, PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene, or any other type of plastic, there’s something in here for you.

No matter how demanding or difficult a plastic material is, there are always strong and effective adhesives for the job.

Keep reading for other special glue formulas compatible with all types of plastic!

Check out our guide on the best glues for ABS plastic for more info.

Best 5 Glues for Plastic

Here are my recommendations for the best glue for plastic.

1. Tamiya 87038 Glue

Tamiya 87038 Glue is excellent for small and highly detailed applications.

The thin, pointed brush tip allows you to apply the exact quantity of product you need, even in the narrowest gaps and corners.

This glue also has a very thin consistency. It’s easy to spread, and its low viscosity enhances the capillary action.

Thus, if you’re looking for glue that lets you fill in tiny gaps and cracks, this product is perfect.

This adhesive is compatible with soft and heat-sensitive plastics like polystyrene.

You can use it for arts, crafts, small repairs, and low-weight applications. The average working time before drying is 5-10 minutes.

This gives you enough time to correct errors but doesn’t leave you waiting too long.

After 24 hours, curing is done, leaving you with a strong and stable bond.

This glue is clear, so it’s great for transparent plastic applications. However, you should take some safety precautions when working with it.

It has strong vapors with an upsetting smell and could cause serious eye irritation.

Tamiya 87038 is also a great glue for polycarbonate.

2. Testors 3509C Glue

If you ever need to bond ABS and polystyrene plastics together, Testors 3509C Glue makes a great choice.

This glue is compatible with the heat and solvent-sensitive plastics, so it won’t damage any of the surfaces you’re trying to bond together.

Whether you need to be precise or a large quantity of glue for a continuous surface, this product has got you covered.

You can always customize your application by attaching or detaching the precision tips in the pack.

Last but not least, this glue is quick-drying and creates strong and long-lasting bonds.

It’s ideal for both small-scale and larger fixes, especially in the case of low-weight applications.

Testors 3509C is an ideal choice if you are looking for glue for PLA.

3. Amazing GOOP 160012 Adhesive

The Amazing GOOP 160012 Adhesive is the best plastic glue you can find for automotive repairs.

This product is highly versatile given its multiple uses and compatibility with multiple materials.

It’s suitable for most plastics, including tough and smooth plastics like vinyl and metals, fiberglass, leather, and more.

It has a very short drying time. It forms near-instant bonds with a strong hold and high durability.

You can use this contact adhesive to fix rips and tears, seal leaks, and build protective barriers for multiple car components.

Whether you need to repair car seats, tops, and mats or seal battery terminals, headlights, or windshields, this adhesive can do it all.

On top of all these perks, it’s also clear, paintable, waterproof, and highly resistant to high temperatures going as far as 150°F and over.

Amazing GOOP 160012 is a very effective heat-resistant glue.

4. Loctite 681925 Glue

The Loctite 681925 Glue offers a new, improved super glue formulation that works on even the hardest plastics.

You no longer have to worry about finding a strong, quick-acting super glue that’s also material compatible because this two-part epoxy does it all.

This product bonds not only polystyrene, PVC, Plexiglas, polycarbonate, and almost any other type of plastic, but also rubber, leather, metal, ceramic, fabric, wood, cork, cardboard, paper, chipboard, and more.

Loctite 681925 works great to glue plastic to wood.

This epoxy comes with a separate activator, but there’s no mixing required.

This makes the product easier to use than other two-part adhesives on the market without compromising efficiency.

You’ll still get industrial-strength bonds and high resistance, all within seconds.

Besides, this glue also dries crystal clear, offering a subtle finish on every color material, including transparent ones.

5. GLUESMITH Adhesive

For an all-in-one encompassing solution and a good value for your money, the GLUESMITH Adhesive pack is worth every cent.

This plastic repair glue system offers you all the tools you need to work on even the toughest to glue plastics like polyethylene, polypropylene, and Delrin.

Check out my guide on the best glues for polypropylene.

For a very affordable price, you get two structural composite fillers suitable for all materials and surfaces and two solvent-free, plastic-safe adhesives of different consistencies.

The thick adhesive is suitable for filling in gaps and cracks, while the thin adhesive disperses deep into porous materials to form a tight bond.

You’ll also get two thin application tips for extra precise work and a 2-ounce bottle of glue accelerator for fast curing and increased bond strength.

Each bottle has a specially designed coating that prevents adhesives from clogging or drying up.

What’s more, these adhesives also have an impressive shelf life of up to 2 years, or even 5 years if refrigerated.

This highly versatile multi-purpose kit will last a long time, allowing you to complete hundreds of plastic repairs.

Tips For Choosing Plastic Glue

Plastic is one of the toughest materials to work with. Not only are plastic surfaces very smooth, but they also have different properties depending on their composition.

Some are sensitive to heat and chemicals such as solvents, and it’s common for strong glues to melt through thin plastic surfaces.

This could be desirable, but if you’re using very thin materials, you might end up with a hole in the surface.

Other plastics are nearly impossible to bond because they’re highly resistant to solvents and high temperatures.

You need to know exactly what type of plastic you’re working with and the most compatible glue for the job.

If we’re talking polystyrene and other soft plastics, the most common plastics used in everyday goods, you’ll have great success using poly cement glue.

These plastics are sensitive to high temperatures and solvents.

Since poly cement glue is a solvent-based adhesive, you’ll get a very tight and durable bond.

This adhesive will melt the plastic surfaces and weld them into a single material or bond.

However, when working with very thin polystyrene surfaces, you should avoid solvent-based glues.

Glues that don’t work with plastic include gorilla glue, gorilla super glue, craft glue, wood glue, epoxy resin, Krazy glue, liquid nails, solvent cement, and hot glue.

For clear plastics, opt for photo-stable glue. Most vinyl-compatible adhesives are good.

These glues are both waterproof and resistant to UV exposure, so you’ll get a durable bond despite exposure to damaging factors.

For hard plastics like polypropylene or polyethylene, you’ll need a high-strength, high-adherence glue like cyanoacrylate.

Most other glues, even solvent-based ones, won’t work very well on such plastic.

That’s because this type of plastic material is highly resistant to solvents, and it also has a smooth, inflexible surface.

There are also different products for different material combinations. What works for bonding plastic to plastic might not be the best for bonding plastic to other materials.

For best results when mixing different materials, consider the following adhesive recommendations.

For plastic to wood applications, opt for cyanoacrylate glue. This glue is compatible with most plastics except for polyethylene and polypropylene.

It also has a thick enough consistency that it doesn’t soak into soft wooden surfaces.

For plastic to metal, you should choose a plastic-compatible epoxy glue.

Such epoxies work on smooth and non-porous surfaces like metal, and they’re also great for hard plastics like ABS, Plexiglas, PVC, and polycarbonate.

Such glues are also generally safe for solvent-sensitive plastics like polystyrene.

For plastic to glass applications, choose a butyl super glue. This type of adhesive is specially designed to work as a sealant and bonding agent, so it’s compatible with most plastics and smooth surfaces.

Sanding the plastic surface before applying the sealant will increase adherence and bond strength.

For plastic to fabric, you can’t go wrong with a vinyl adhesive. This glue is compatible with rigid and flexible materials, making it great for fabrics.

This glue is also suitable for clear plastics and surface applications requiring high photostability.

Plastic Glue Buying Guide

Choosing the right glue is half of the job. It’s a very important step, but not the only thing you need to do.

A material-compatible, high-performance adhesive surely brings amazing results, but only when used properly.

You might also want to follow these tried-and-true tips to maximize your chances of a strong and resistant bond.

Ensure that the surfaces you’re trying to bond are clean of dust, grease, or debris. You can cleanse surfaces with plain water, soap, or rubbing alcohol.

When bonding two smooth surfaces together, such as plastic and plastic, or plastic and glass, you’ll have to sand the plastic surface for better adherence.

Using two-part epoxy, be precise when measuring and mixing the resin and hardener. You need to get the right ratio for the best results.

Use smaller application tips if you need to be precise or are working with small surfaces.

You’ll avoid creating a tacky mess. You’ll also save some glue when you’re using only how much you need.

You can get creative if the glue you’re using requires long clamping times.

If you don’t have clamps, you can also use elastics, tape, and other props to keep the surfaces in place.

Wrap-up

There are various types of plastics, each with different properties. This is partly why finding a universal plastic glue is challenging.

Still, there are many highly versatile types of glue for plastic applications.

Whether you’re working with polystyrene, polypropylene, or PVC, this article has something for you.

Tamiya 87038 Glue is just one of the many great options on our list, suitable for small, hyper-precise applications on polystyrene and other soft plastics.

You can choose our top pick, or any other of the products on the list, depending on your type of plastic and the application you need.