In this guide, I’ll teach you more about gluing rubber to metal and the best glues.

Various types of glue behave differently – some aren’t adequate for gluing rubber to metal.

Gluing materials with different structures isn’t always easy, especially if you don’t know the first thing about quality glues.

Rubber and metal are as different as apples and oranges, and gluing them together can be difficult.

Keep reading if you’re interested in my glue recommendations for rubber-to-metal applications!

Types of Glue for Rubber to Metal

Cyanoacrylate-base adhesives, known as super glues, are the best for rubber-to-metal.

It has a high bonding strength, excellent impact resistance, and extreme durability. The resulting bond will outlast anything, based on observations.

Super Glue is very resistant to high temperatures, as well. No matter how hot it is, super glue forms an impenetrable bond that stays intact in most cases of stress.

This type of glue is also waterproof, UV-resistant, and very sticky!

Not recommended glue for rubber to metal include normal Krazy glue, craft glue, spray adhesive, hot glue, Rhino glue, and epoxy adhesive.

Best Glue for Rubber to Metal: What to Pick

Here are my recommendations for the best glue for rubber to metal.

1. Amazing GOOP 160012 Automotive Adhesive

When it comes to long-lasting bonds, Amazing GOOP has you covered. This adhesive offers a flexible yet resilient bond that can tightly secure rubber pieces or metal surfaces.

Due to its high flexibility, this glue won’t break down due to rigidity.

This adhesive is resistant to corrosion and can quickly seal headlights and windshields and repair vinyl seats.

There are good reasons to believe that Amazing GOOP can also insulate electrical wiring.

Needless to say, once you glue something with Amazing GOOP, it’ll be beyond difficult to remove the bond.

It’ll also resist temperatures of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and even higher. Underwater conditions aren’t a problem either.

This glue also has a thick formula, so it won’t drip or run off the work area once applied.

The flow control tip also allows for easy repairs and accurate applications.

Amazing GOOP may take a while to cure, though.

This is also a great choice if you are looking for glue for glass to metal.

2. Gorilla Clear Grip Contact Adhesive

Gorilla Clear Grip is ideal for rubber to metal, a quick and clear-drying adhesive known for its high tensile strength.

The 100% waterproof formula ensures this glue has a long life ahead, whether you use it indoors or outdoors.

Once dry, Gorilla Clear Grip is clear and transparent, but you can also sand it down if it gets in the way.

There’s no clamping needed either, making this adhesive very easy to apply. However, its UV resistance is decent at best and low at worst.

3. Permatex 81158 Black Silicone Adhesive Sealant

Despite being black, Permatex Adhesive offers peak bonding strength and a thick formula for that no-run experience.

The texture is shiny and clear, so you may not need to sand it down after it dries.

Flexibility is a common characteristic of Permatex, as well. It’s perfect for rubber to metal, in other words.

Being more flexible allows the glue to bond better with the rubber and prevents the metal from eroding and degrading in time.

Permatex Adhesive is vibration-resistant, weather-resistant, and water-resistant, as well. Durability is not a problem, in other words.

You could even use Permatex for automotive repairs because it’ll resist anything, almost.

I wouldn’t recommend Permatex for light surface repairs, though. It’s much better for more in-depth repairs.

It’s also a great choice for glue for leather to metal.

4. Loctite Liquid Professional Super Glue

Everyone who’s someone has heard of Loctite. It’s a very popular adhesive but is it any good?

Yes, in my experience. Loctite Liquid Super Glue is easy to use thanks to the precision applicator, and the bond is powerful.

You can use it on Arts and Crafts, as well as industrial projects alike. It also doesn’t make a mess, meaning you’ll have a great time using Loctite.

However, Loctite dries pretty quickly, and the tip may clog from time to time.

The glue may also become goopy out of nowhere.

5. 3M Super Weatherstrip and Gasket Adhesive

3M Gasket Adhesive was specifically made to glue rubber to steel. The created bond is very powerful and resistant to impact a shock, which is why I recommend using this glue outdoors.

Large-scale projects aren’t a problem for this adhesive either.

Automotive repairs are the perfect testing ground for 3M Gasket Adhesives. That’s how resilient and strong the bond is!

Rubber to aluminum also works since this glue has a tight gripping hold that will last many years.

Moreover, 3M Super Gasket Adhesive is flexible once dry, improving the overall resilience to impact.

All in all, this glue is great for industrial use, and it’s very affordable.

6. Gorilla Super Glue Gel

No mess, no clamping, no-run formula, no clogging – Gorilla Super Glue is extremely easy to use.

The effortless application will create a strong bond to resist high temperatures, unusual shock and impact, and even water.

Rubber to metal applications is at their best with Gorilla Super Glue.

Its unique rubber particle formula ensures a flexible yet powerful hold that’ll remain strong after many years.

There have been reports that Gorilla Glue flows very quickly, so you’ll need to be careful not to make a mess.

Other than this, Gorilla Super Glue is great for rubber to metal applications.

7. Pasco Strongest Glue for All Materials

Pasco is one of the strongest glues out there, and this has been tested many times before.

The resulting bond is near unbreakable and fully waterproof. So, there’s no problem if you glue rubber to metal outdoors.

Don’t put a lot of glue on the surface areas, though. In this case, a little glue counts for a lot.

The hardening process also takes mere seconds after you’ve applied it. Pasco adhesive works best in high-impact areas where most other glues would break apart.

Repairing vehicles is not exactly a challenge for Pasco. This is what they devised it for, after all.

Industrial and large-scale applications are just another day at work for this glue.

How to Glue Rubber to Other Materials

Rubber to metal

Gluing rubber to metal isn’t always easy, especially if you’re unaware of some key concepts.

For starters, the rubber’s integrity and the metal’s grip are essential. I recommend sanding down the metal surface to make it adhere more to the rubber.

Remove any dirt or impurities from the two materials, apply rubber-to-metal glue on both surfaces, and clamp them.

The drying process may take a while, depending on the glue product you used.

Silicone rubber to metal

Silicone rubber has one of the least adherent surfaces ever. It’s very smooth, making it extra hard to glue to metal.

But not impossible! In my opinion, epoxy rubber glues are best for bonding silicone rubber to metal.

Even if the rubber is slick, epoxy glues make a great bond.

Rubber to aluminum

Carefully wash and rinse the aluminum before sanding and cleaning it again. Now, apply epoxy glue to the rubber and aluminum piece, and clamp them together.

They should form a strong bond in no time. The steps are entirely similar to other material applications, either way.

Check out my guide on the best glues for aluminum for a detailed description.

Why Is It Hard to Glue Rubber?

Rubber-made products are all different. Some may be coated in chemical additives, interfering with their adhesion factor.

You could buy flexible that’s flexible or stiff as metal, but it’s still rubber. But the gluing experience will be very different.

You can’t know how manufacturers have treated the rubber or what they coated it in.

In this case, rubber glue must create a holding area where the rubber can bond to other materials.

Wrap Up

Rubber doesn’t bond easily, especially not to metal. But it’s not that difficult if you’re smart about it and use the right glue.

Clean your surface areas, sand the metal to make it more abrasive, and apply glue to the rubber and metal.

Clamp them down and wait for the glue to set and cure.

You’re done; now you can enjoy your work!