In this article, I’ll provide a detailed list of products and tips for gluing rubber to plastic.

We’re talking about flexible but also delicate materials. You’ll need a material-compatible glue that won’t damage the rubber or plastic you’re trying to bond.

Finding the best glue compatible with rubber and plastic is challenging.

Besides material compatibility, other details should be kept in mind when making a choice.

Something as simple as choosing a fixing glue could become a daunting task. But hopefully, this article will greatly simplify things.

Keep reading to learn more about other great glue alternatives!

Types of Glues to Bond Rubber to Plastic

As with anything else, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when gluing rubber to plastic.

Depending on the size of the repair job and the desired result, there are multiple types of glue to choose from.

PVC Glue

PVC glue works great for bonding rubber to plastic. After all, PVC itself is a type of plastic, so you know this glue is material-compatible.

Remember that PVC glue works like a chemical solvent, melting the surfaces it comes into contact with.

The resulting bond is strong and long-lasting. This glue is best used with thick pieces of material, as it might be too strong for small repairs.

For additional information, check out our article on the best glues for PVC pipes.

Rubber Cement Glue

As the name suggests, rubber cement glue forms a highly flexible yet powerful bond, simultaneously acting like rubber and cement.

This is great when working with delicate materials such as plastic or rubber.

Most rubber cement glues on the market are highly versatile, with multiple compatible materials.

But always make sure to read the label before any purchase. The product should list rubber and plastic in the compatible materials list.

Crazy Glue

Crazy glue, also known as “super glue” is highly popular given its multi-functionality.

This cyanoacrylate adhesive is both quick-drying and strong-bonding. It works great for porous and smooth materials alike.

You can successfully use this type of glue on any material, including metal, wood, paper, leather, rubber, and plastic.

It’s less flexible than other types of glue, so it works great for rigid objects.

Hot Glue

Hot glue is suitable for many types of materials, including rubber. However, it might not be compatible with all types of plastic.

Because hot glue is a thermoplastic adhesive, it must reach a certain temperature to work.

The thermal action of hot glue might be too harsh for certain types of plastic, especially heat-sensitive ones.

Glues that aren’t suitable are regular super glue, infinity bond, Gorilla super glue, wood glue, Krazy glue, epoxy glue, and spray adhesive.

Rubber to Plastic Glue Buying Guide

Gluing rubber to plastic has always been the hot question among handypersons. These two materials don’t usually work together.

But it doesn’t mean you can’t glue them with the right adhesive.

I’ve created a best-of list of the adhesives I’ll talk about below, as well as their top features:

E6000 Craft Adhesive – This one is a 5/5 adhesive that works great for rubber to plastic. It’s also non-flammable.

GlueMasters Thick Instant Glue – A 4.8/5 with its fast-drying time, GlueMasters adhesive brings an industrial-grade thickness and tensile strength ideal for rubber to plastic

Original Gorilla Glue Minis – The 4.5/5 weather-resistant, fast-drying, industrial-grade Gorilla Glue works for all requirements, including rubber to plastic

ZeliFIX Contact Cement – This is a 4.4/5 flexible adhesive that offers an incredible bond between rubber and plastic. The texture is thick yet rubbery at the same time

Sugru Mouldable Glue – A 4.3/5 glue that’s both malleable and electrically insulated, Sugru Glue is a reasonable solution for rubber to plastic

3M Scotch-Weld Plastic & Rubber Glue – Finally, the 4.3/5 low-viscosity, precision-tip adhesive is 3M Glue. This one has decent tensile strength and hold, making it a good option for rubber to plastic

Let’s not waste more time and go to our list!

Best 6 Glues for Rubber to Plastic

Here is my favorite glue for rubber to plastic.

1. E6000 Craft Adhesive

This is a great pick for delicate objects and small repairs. This glue comes in a tube with a resealable cap for easy storage and protection.

It has a long list of perks that make it a certain product for any DYI repair. First, this is a professional, industrial-grade glue with a powerful hold.

It dries almost instantly, and the finished result is clear and seamless. You can also paint or sand it for extra customization.

The E6000 Craft Adhesive is gentle and has a flexible hold. As a result, it’s a great choice for bonding rubber, plastic, leather, fabric, wood, and many other materials.

This glue is also waterproof, so any object you use it on will be washer safe and resistant to precipitation.

The only downside to this product is the off-putting smell and the potentially hazardous vapors. Using protective gear might be necessary.

E6000 Craft Adhesive is a great option if you are also looking for glue for miniatures.

2. GlueMasters Thick Instant Glue

GlueMasters claims to offer the strongest bond cyanoacrylate resin on the market.

This industrial-grade glue is carefully formulated to have a well-balanced, thick viscosity. This makes GlueMasters Thick Instant Glue easy to dose and control.

Thanks to the bottle’s slim tip, you’ll get a nice flow and precise application, so you won’t have to worry about creating a tacky mess.

If you’re looking for a quick-acting adhesive, you’ll also be happy to learn this glue fully dries in just 60 seconds.

GlueMasters Thick Instant Glue dries clear and has a rigid, powerful hold. It’s a great option for sturdy plastics and soft rubbers as well.

You can also use it on ceramics, wood, fabric, cardboard, and more!

GlueMasters Thick Instant Glue is a perfect choice if you need glue for legos.

3. Original Gorilla Glue Minis

No list of top-pick glues would be complete without Gorilla Glue. It’s no surprise that this renowned brand has the glue for just about any job.

Original Gorilla Glue Minis is a saving grace for the toughest repair jobs and is great for indoor and outdoor projects.

This weather-resistant, 100% waterproof glue is great for dissimilar surfaces. It expands up to 3 times into any porous material or open cracks.

Not only does this mean the product is highly tacky, but it also dries with an amazing, strong, and long-lasting hold.

The resaleable applicator tip makes for easy dosing and precise application.

This is a great option for a wide variety of materials, including rubber and plastic, but also foam, wood, metal, glass, stone, ceramics, concrete, and more.

This glue comes in a tan color so it won’t dry clear. This could work great for wooden surfaces or dark-colored items, but it’s not so great for bright surfaces.

Another downside is the long clamping time required, around 1-2 hours.

4. ZeliFIX Contact Cement

ZeliFIX is a simple, all-purpose contact cement glue. This waterproof adhesive has a near-instant and permanent hold.

If you’re looking for super-strength glue with a rubbery texture and flexible bond, ZeliFIX is a great option.

This product has a thick viscosity but also offers a quick, mess-free application thanks to the applicator brush attached to the lid.

Given its springy, flexible texture, this glue is great for bonding rubber, plastic, leather, wood, metal, and more.

It’s one of the best glues for plastic to wood around.

5. Sugru Mouldable Glue

This glue is a bit different from average glues. It’s both heat and cold-resistant, with a waterproof concept that makes it perfect for outside jobs.

The adhesive is thick and moldable so that you can shape it in any form.

Once dry, it’ll turn gray, but you can get it in multiple colors. It’s also electrically insulated up to 24V, and you can glue rubber, plastic, ceramics, wood, metal, and more.

I strongly recommend using it for rubber to plastic jobs, though its tensile strength is not that high.

It also doesn’t create seamless bonds, so you’ll need another adhesive for those finesse-oriented projects.

6. 3M Scotch-Weld Plastic & Rubber Glue

A precision-type instant glue that cures fast, the 3M Glue is a low-viscosity adhesive perfect for polyethylene, polypropylene EPDM, and nylon.

The slim nozzle allows for precise application and prevents any mess.

The 2,000+ tensile strength means this glue can take a lot of pressure without breaking.

With the fast drying and curing times, 3M Glue becomes highly effective at gluing rubber to plastic. However, you may not want to use it for other materials.

Tips For Gluing Rubber to Plastic

Before you glue anything, ensure the two surfaces are squeaky and clean of oils, impurities, and debris.

Once you clean the plastic and rubber, apply glue on both surfaces and press them together.

You may need to clamp them until the curing process ends. Once dry, the adhesive can be sanded, drilled in, and painted over.

Cyanoacrylates superglues, acrylic resins, or industrial-grade glues are ideal for rubber to plastic.

Wrap Up

It’s not impossible to bond rubber and plastic together, but it takes the right tools to do it correctly.

A proper glue and an imperfect one can make all the difference.

Only specific glues bond rubber and plastic, so you’ll need to watch out for them.

Now, you should have enough information to do a good job!