Miniatures are delicate and require high precision work.

Whether creating your miniatures from scratch or trying to fix older damaged pieces, you’ll need a high-quality glue that doesn’t damage the materials and gives long-lasting, seamless results.

In this article, you’ll get a list of the best plastic glues to help you with that.

You won’t have to deal with unaesthetic white or yellow marks, weak bonds, material damage, or long, impractical curing times anymore.

It also doesn’t matter if you’re working with wooden, metal, plastic, resin, or mixed-material miniatures.

With the information in this article, you’ll be able to find the glue to suit your needs.

Keep reading for more great glues suitable for all materials and miniature applications!

Find out my #1 recommendation for the best glue for miniatures.

Suitable Glues for Miniatures

There are many adhesives to choose from, but you only need one good product to get the job done.

The choice you make will depend on the materials in question, as well as your preferences.

Here are some of the best, most versatile glues for fixing miniatures.

Cyanoacrylate

Also known as “Super Glue” cyanoacrylate is a top pick for various applications, given its high versatility.

This glue works on almost any material, including wood, metal, certain plastics, stone, glass, etc.

It has very high adherence and forms extremely powerful bonds.

It’s easy to apply and work with because it settles almost instantly. However, that means you’ll have to be quick and precise because you don’t get much wiggle room if you make an error.

Still, the results are well worth it.

Once dry, this glue is resistant to many damaging factors, including moisture, shock, tension, or extreme temperatures.

Plastic Cement

There are many powerful, highly versatile glues to choose from. But most of them don’t work well on plastic.

That’s because plastic is a very chemical and heat-sensitive material.

If you’re working on plastic miniatures, your best bet is plastic cement.

This type of adhesive is compatible with all sorts of plastic materials. While it might not offer great results for other surfaces, it grabs fast and forms permanent bonds on plastic.

It has a short curing time; once cured, it’s also sandable and paintable.

The only downside to plastic cement is its toxic and irritating vapors.

This glue might cause serious eye, skin, or respiratory reactions and should always be used with protective gear.

PVA White Glue

PVA white glue is also known as carpenter’s glue and wood glue. Not surprisingly, this adhesive is specially designed for wooden surfaces.

But it has excellent adherence to various porous materials like unfinished wood, paper, fabric, plaster, and more.

PVA glue is easy to work with thanks to its smooth, malleable consistency and ability to create tight, durable bonds.

This glue is non-acidic but also water-soluble. You shouldn’t use it on objects that come into contact with water.

It’s also worth mentioning that PVA white glue isn’t resistant to shock or impact.

Even when fully cured, the final bond can come undone if you hit or drop the object.

Epoxy Glue

Epoxy glues are highly versatile, working on most surfaces and materials, even non-porous ones like glass and metal.

They’re also resistant to shock, impact, and extreme temperatures.

Drying usually takes a little longer, but you’ll get powerful, durable bonds every time.

This type of adhesive is non-toxic and lasts a lot longer than other types of glue.

You don’t have to worry about the glue drying out because the resin only becomes rigid when mixed with the hardener.

A major downside is that working with epoxies can get a little messy.

Not only do you have to mix the two components in a separate recipient, but you also have to transfer the mixture onto the surfaces you’re working with.

Unsuitable glues for miniatures include mod podge, metal glue, tacky glue, PVA glue, and hot glue.

8 Best Glues for Miniatures

Read below my recommendations for the best glue for miniatures.

1. Gorilla Wood Glue

You can always rely on Gorilla Glue when you need a powerful, highly resistant bond.

The Gorilla Wood Glue offers just that, and it’s specially designed to work on all types of wood.

This wood glue bonds very quickly and has a short clamp time of 20-30 minutes.

The glue is clear, sandable, paintable, and completely waterproof when fully dry.

You can use it in any environmental condition, as it dries naturally, even in lower temperatures. The anti-clog applicator prevents glue build-up and prolongs storage.

Gorilla Wood Glue will last you a long time, even after first opening the bottle.

Gorilla Wood Glue is also a great option to glue plastic to wood.

2. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement Glue

Tamiya Extra Thin Cement Glue is the perfect choice for plastic figurines and miniatures.

This solvent-based glue comes in a very thin, liquid-like consistency.

It’s easy to use on small areas and narrow crevices, as its consistency allows for excellent capillary action.

The small paintbrush attached to the lid also helps with high-precision applications.

This glue works on all types of plastic and has very high adherence. It dries fully clear in less than 10 minutes.

Curing time takes around 24 hours.

Tamiya Extra Thin Cement Glue can also be used as glue for legos.

3. Beacon 3-in-1 Craft Glue

The Beacon 3-in-1 Craft Glue works for paper, wood, and cardboard applications.

What makes it great for miniatures is its high flexibility. It has an incredibly fast grab and works quickly but still allows for repositioning before fully drying.

What’s more, this glue’s also waterproof and acid-free.

The no-run formula and the thin application tip make this product a go-to for high-precision work.

You can use this glue on small figurines without creating a sticky mess. When dry, the glue is crystal clear.

There are no unaesthetic white or yellow splotches to give away your craft work.

4. Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue

The Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue proves that great things come in small packages.

This glue is highly versatile, compatible with many materials, and forms short, permanent bonds with no clamping time.

You can use it on both porous and non-porous materials, and it’s compatible with hard plastics, leather, rubber, metal, wood, ceramic, paper, and more.

The no-drip formula prevents the glue from running and makes it a great option for vertical applications.

Thanks to the thick consistency and thin applicator tip, you’ll get the most precise, mess-free application possible.

Once applied, the adhesive works its magic almost immediately. Within seconds, you’ll get a powerful, unbreakable bond.

The glue sets without clamping, and it dries clear and seamless.

Thanks to its rubber toughened formula, this glue is also great for heavy-duty applications.

It’s resistant to various factors such as impact, shock, vibration, water, extreme temperatures, and most chemicals.

Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue can be used as HDPE glue as well.

5. Dr. Crafty Epoxy Resin

Dr. Crafty Epoxy Resin is a complete kit with everything you need.

You get one bottle of resin and one hardener, 16-ounce each, mixing cups and sticks, and a spatula.

The mixed epoxy dries down in around 45 minutes, allowing you plenty of time to do your work.

This epoxy is compatible with multiple types of wood, and you can use it for coating, casting, and fixing broken chips and pieces.

The parts are easy to mix due to the malleable consistency, and the epoxy dries crystal clear.

Once dry, the resin is resistant to moisture, yellowing, and most chemicals.

Thanks to the strong formula, you can expect a resistant, durable bond that won’t crack or crumble.

6. Turbo “Tacky” Glue

Turbo “Tacky” Glue is a multi-purpose adhesive suitable for art and craft projects and any repairs using lightweight materials.

Its gentle, non-toxic formula also makes it a child-friendly product.

This glue works on most surfaces and on thin, porous materials like paper and fabric.

It adheres with a fast and powerful grab and has high resistance to chemicals and extreme temperatures once dry.

The thick and tacky formula makes the glue easy to control as it prevents running and dripping.

This PVA glue dries 50% faster than similar glues on the market, giving you a shorter waiting time while you work.

The glue comes out white but dries clear with a glossy finish and remains resistant to yellowing.

7. Everbuild HV50 Industrial Superglue

This 100% solvent-free adhesive lends itself well to many surfaces and materials.

You can use it on porous and non-porous substrates, including plastic, metal, rubber, PVC, glass, wood, and more.

You’ll always get the same tight grab and powerful bond. Thanks to the applicator tip, you’ll also be able to fill in gaps of up to 0.25mm.

Everbuild HV50 Industrial Superglue dries clear and offers subtle yet long-lasting results.

Thanks to its high viscosity, you get fast, powerful adhesion, all with a short curing time.

In less than 40 seconds, the glue should be fully set. Curing takes up to 60 seconds, depending on the surface.

8. Glue Masters Professional Grade Super Glue

This industrial-strength cyanoacrylate glue offers great results and high versatility.

The super-thick viscosity makes this adhesive easy to control without compromising on an easy, consistent flow.

In just 60 seconds, the glue is fully settled, and you get a powerful, unbreakable bond.

You can use this glue on many types of surfaces, both porous and non-porous.

The Glue Masters Professional Grade Super Glue works on wood, glass, plastic, and more.

However, this product shouldn’t be used on fabrics, per label instructions.

Know that this glue has a very strong smell and potentially irritating vapors.

When using this product, you should wear eye protection and work in a well-ventilated area.

Tips for Choosing the Best Miniature Glue

If you’ve already tried working on miniature pieces and always have unsatisfactory results, you know that you can’t rely on sub-par glue.

Eventually, the bond breaks down, and the glue starts yellowing, cracking, or melting.

Maybe you can’t even get the pieces to bond at all. But it doesn’t have to be that way!

The right adhesive gives great, permanent results with no downsides. The problem is finding the right product.

Once you know what to look for, you’ll be able to make the right purchase. There are a few factors to consider here.

If you keep these things in mind, sifting through the products on the market becomes a breeze.

For Metal Miniatures

• Choose glue that goes on dry surfaces. Many types of glue require moisture to adhere to and set. This is bad when working with metal pieces because it leads to rust and further surface damage.
• Opt for a gentle or material-compatible formula. Most metal miniatures are made of alloys and malleable materials. A glue that’s too strong could damage the parts.

For Plastic Miniatures

• Look for glue that’s compatible with painted surfaces. Some plastic glues work less efficiently on paint due to lower adherence. This also applies if you must paint over the glue once fully dry.
• Cross-check for material compatibility. Even plastic glues might not work on all types of plastic. Also, most plastic glues create bonds by melting and fusing the plastics.
• If your miniatures contain soft plastic, this bonding action is too strong and will damage the material. Opt for a different type of plastic glue that doesn’t bond plastic through melting.

For Resin Miniatures

• Avoid using plastic glue. Despite their similarities, resin and plastic require different types of adhesives. The chemical composition of resin could interfere with plastic glue and prevent it from working properly. For resin miniatures, it’s best to stick to a glue formulated for resin.
• For a strong, durable bond, choose glue with a quick grab and short setting time, but avoid glues that contain accelerants. Accelerants shorten the drying time but weaken the bond and offer less durable results.

For Wood Miniatures

• Pick a glue suitable for your surfaces. Are you working with unfinished wood, painted wood, or polished wood? Every detail makes a difference. For the best adherence, you can also find glue suitable for porous and non-porous surfaces.
• Choose a glue that adheres to wet surfaces. When working with wood, you might have to add moisture to soften the joints before gluing the pieces together. In that case, you’ll need glue that can work on damp materials.
• Opt for a thin consistency glue that soaks into wooden materials. A glue penetrating deeper into the wooden surface will give you a tighter, more powerful bond that won’t detach as easily.

Wrap Up

Once you find the right glue for the job, working on miniatures can be very simple.

There are a few constraints worth considering, such as material, surface quality, and the type of bonding action you need.

However, you can easily find the glue to check all the right boxes.

You can try some of the products included in this article or any other type of glue commercially available in your area.

This article has helped you narrow your list to the most suitable options.