Vinyl is a thin, light, and easy-to-handle material. It also comes in various textures and patterns, making it a go-to choice for multiple applications.

But not every glue offers satisfactory results when working with vinyl.

In this article, I will list only the best adhesive options for vinyl applications.

Vinyl is a common material used in renovations, interior design, construction, and crafts.

But it’s also difficult to get it to stick, being a thin, non-porous material. When adhesion isn’t a problem, you sometimes get bubbling and rippling, creating an unaesthetic look.

However, with the right plastic glue on hand, you should be able to avoid these problems.

Keep reading to discover more powerful vinyl glues for all your repair and craft needs!

Check out our guide on the best glues for model building for additional information.

Suitable Glues for Vinyl

Which glue is best to use will depend on your specific project. However, there are some adhesives better suited for vinyl than others.

Here are the most common choices.

Silicone Glue

Silicone glue is great for binding non-porous surfaces, so it interacts well with vinyl.

It forms a powerful yet highly flexible bond that can absorb shock without breaking apart.

For this reason, silicone glue is often used for applications where you need a contact-resistant adhesive.

This glue works best for hard vinyl materials. Due to its flexibility, silicone glue is not a good match for fabric vinyl or other malleable types of vinyl.

The constant movement, paired with the hold and texture of the glue, could create uneven surfaces or lead to cracking.

Epoxies

Epoxies are different from other glues in the sense that they only become active when they’re mixed.

They come with two starting compounds, a resin and a hardener. Once you mix them, you get active polymers ready to cure.

This type of glue goes on thick and forms robust, powerful, permanent bonds. Its high structural strength makes it highly effective in bonding thicker vinyl materials and even heavier-weight ones.

Epoxy glue might be too thick and rigid for thinner or more flexible vinyl materials.

Polyurethane Glue

Polyurethane adhesives are very strong and highly resistant to impact and shock. These thermoplastic glues work well with thinner, bendier types of vinyl.

You can use them on vinyl to vinyl applications, as well as vinyl to other surfaces.

This glue comes in different formulations, but the gel formula is most suitable for vinyl. It’s not so thick and rigid that it cracks when dry, but it’s not runny and hard to control.

One downside of this adhesive is that you might need to sand the surfaces where you want to apply the vinyl.

Cyanoacrylate Glue

Perhaps the universal choice for a broad range of materials, cyanoacrylate glue is also a good option for bonding vinyl to various surfaces.

This type of adhesive is highly versatile and effective for both porous and non-porous surfaces.

It forms a near-instant bond and cures quickly at room temperature. Thanks to its powerful hold and high tensile strength, it’s also highly resistant to heavy loads and tension.

The unsuitable for vinyl are wood glues, PVC glue, spray adhesive, liquid nails, contact adhesive, contact cement, hot glue, and clear liquid adhesive.

Best 5 Glues for Vinyl: Complete Guide

Here is my recommendation for the best glue for vinyl.

Now, I will give you a short run-down of the best products for all types of vinyl materials and uses.

Whether you need a thin, flexible vinyl fabric or a powerful flooring make-over, there will be something here for you.

1. Loctite Vinyl, Fabric, and Plastic Repair Adhesive

This glue takes #1, given its high-power hold and versatility.

The Loctite Repair Adhesive works on vinyl and other materials, including rubber, fabric, plastic, glass, wood, leather, and paper. It also dries clear, creating subtle, nice-looking results.

Given the above, I believe it’s one of the best glues for fabric to plastic around.

This flexible adhesive is great for thin and thicker materials alike.

You can use it for crafts and repairs, including restoring items such as vinyl inflatable mattresses, vinyl upholstery, weather stripping, raincoats, beach balls, wading pools, shoes, seat covers, and tools, toys, and more.

It’s one of the best glue for shoes you can find.

This glue is waterproof and great for exterior applications and indoor uses in high humidity settings.

It forms a near-instant, strong, long-lasting bond. Once dry, the glued surfaces are immovable, so you don’t have to worry about the pieces shifting or sliding.

Last but not least, this glue comes with a control flow tip for easy and precise application.

2. RH Adhesives HH-66 Industrial Strength Vinyl Cement Glue with Brush

The HH-66 Vinyl Cement Glue is a go-to pick for household renovations. This heavy-duty, industrial-strength formula creates powerful, permanent bonds in record time.

This glue goes on clear with a thin, gel-like consistency, which is completely transparent when dry.

The attached lid brush makes the product easy to spread and control without creating a mess.

There’s no accidental dripping or leftover residue building up on the dispenser.

This adhesive is specially formulated to bond vinyl and wood, which works great for vinyl flooring.

Once dry, the glue locks the vinyl, preventing it from slipping or sliding around.

This glue forms durable bonds that resist shock, impact, and pressure from daily wear and tear.

This glue has a strong smell, so if you’re sensitive to such adhesives, you might have to wear a mask when working.

Another disadvantage to this glue is that it’s not water-resistant. Working with this adhesive in high humidity conditions might negatively impact the results.

This glue is great for gluing legos.

The glue goes on and dries clear, but there have been some reports of color changes, such as yellowing. It’s best to use this glue for non-visible surfaces.

3. Henry Vinyl Flooring Adhesive FP00356030 EMW0011687

The Henry Vinyl Flooring Adhesive is a highly affordable, heavy-duty glue suitable for household repairs and renovations.

This is it if you need a powerful glue with an incredible hold to apply to large areas.

This adhesive comes in a 1-quart bucket so that you can go to town on your DIY home makeover.

This glue is designed for flooring applications, but you can also use it as a multi-purpose adhesive to bind vinyl to other surfaces such as walls.

The most common uses for the Henry Vinyl Flooring Adhesive include vinyl flooring and wall backsplashes. It’s also great for vinyl to plastic applications.

The product comes in a thick formula, but it’s easy to spread and smooth out.

Because of its consistency, you have more time to work on the application before the adhesive dries up. You won’t have to worry about the vinyl bubbling or bunching together.

It works for thinner applications such as vinyl and heavier-weight ones such as tiles.

Once it dries, the glue forms a rigid, tight, and immovable bond. Thanks to its powerful and permanent hold, this product is great for applications in high-traffic areas, such as kitchens or living rooms.

Remember that this glue is best for large areas where you need an intense bond.

Applying this product is messy, so this isn’t a good option for small projects or high-detail work.

Once opened, the glue has a shorter shelf life, so it should be used up as soon as possible to prevent waste.

You can also use this glue to bond rubber to plastic and to glue plastic eyeglass frames.

4. Rhino Glue Pro Kit

The Rhino Glue Pro Kit offers you three types of glue, each with equally neat and easy application.

In this package, you’ll get brush-on glue, instant gel glue, and classic glue. All glues have a resealable tip, and the gel and classic glues come with a narrow tip for extra flow control.

These glues are perfect for small, detailed repairs. You decide exactly how much glue you squeeze out or brush on without surprise leaks and messy applications.

The adhesive dries clear so that you can use them for visible surfaces.

The brand prides itself on bringing forward the “Faster, Stronger, Tougher Glue,” and customers are pleased with the results.

Most product reviews confirm that Rhino glue is fast curing, powerful, and long-lasting.

You can use it for repairs and forget that your valuables were broken!

Moreover, this heavy-duty, professional-strength adhesive is also suitable for just about any material, vinyl included!

5. Gorilla 7700104 Super Glue Gel

When you have no time to wait for the adhesive to dry, the Gorilla 7700104 Super Glue Gel comes to the rescue.

This fast-setting glue dries in as little as 10 seconds, and there’s no clamping required.

Even better, the glue dries clear, lending itself well for visible surface applications and transparent materials.

Gorilla Glue has a good reputation as an instant-working, powerful, permanent glue. This product is no exception.

Besides the short action time, this product also creates high-power, long-lasting, impact-resistant bonds.

The glue is easy to dose and control, thanks to the thick gel formula. It doesn’t run or drip, so it’s suitable for flexible and vertical surfaces.

This product is also highly versatile and suitable for multiple materials, including vinyl, rubber, leather, ceramic, metal, wood, paper, and some plastics.

Thanks to the anti-clog cap, you can save this glue for multiple uses. This prevents the glue from drying out after the first use, so you can get the same results repeatedly.

Vinyl Gluing Guide

Vinyl is a beautiful, highly versatile material. But working with vinyl can be troublesome.

Depending on the thickness and rigidity of the material, getting the pieces to stick and stay in place could be either the most straightforward thing in the world or a complete nightmare.

A powerful, long-lasting glue is indispensable for larger applications, whether we’re talking about heavyweight or delicate vinyl material.

Half of the job is finding the perfect adhesive for your specific needs.

The other half of the job is learning how to properly use the glue and materials for the best, hassle-free results.

Here are some general directions to get the best out of your glue without any unpleasant outcomes.

Safety comes first! Most glues are highly sensitizing due to their strong chemical formulas. Always read the counterindications on the label.

Due to improper handling, many people develop severe skin, eye, and respiratory irritations.

Protect yourself by wearing gloves, goggles, and a face mask. If the glue you’re using is flammable, only use it in cool, well-ventilated areas.

Always store the glue as per the indications of the manufacturer.

Always read the instructions on the packaging before using the product!

Some glues require a certain temperature to cure; others require moisture for the best adherence, and so on.

Follow the indications on the label for the best results.

Always wipe clean and dry the surfaces you want to bind together.

Without dust, dirt, or other forms of debris in the way, the glue can adhere to the surfaces uniformly and form a stronger bond.

There are glues specially designed for smooth surfaces. However, if your glue doesn’t specifically state that, you can always scrape or sand the surfaces before application.

That’s an extra safety measure. It creates a stronger bond as the glue can sink in and grip the materials. This way, the adhesive is less likely to crack over time.

Wrap Up

There’s not one single perfect glue for vinyl.

That choice will depend on multiple factors, such as the application’s nature, the material’s thickness, the strength and resistance of the final bond, and more.

The same glue that works well for vinyl flooring might not be the best choice for delicate vinyl fabric.

However, with this detailed list of different adhesives for every application, everybody should have an option.

I hope you found this article informative and that it’s helped you choose the right tools for your project!