There’s nothing cheap about owning a car, and even the slightest of collisions can result in frustrating repair bills. Making minor repairs yourself is a great way to save money and using good-quality plastic glue to make those repairs might save you a lot more than you think.
The challenge is identifying which plastic glue is best for you, your vehicle, and the type of repair that you need to make. Remember that major repairs will require a lot more work than even the best plastic glues can accomplish. For smaller cracks and quick repairs though, glue can save both time and money.
Factors to Consider When Buying Plastic Glue for Cars
As well as being much easier to do yourself, using glue to make minor repairs to your car is significantly cheaper than alternative repair options like welding.
In particular, glue is ideal for fixing seams due to its flexibility and natural water-resistance. After all, car parts typically require a degree of movement and are frequently exposed to water, moisture, and humidity. But while plastic is an incredibly useful material, it can be very demanding for standard types of glue. Most glue types struggle to bond with plastics, and that can make car repairs much more challenging.
When you’re doing minor car repairs yourself (or even something major – like windshield repair), you need the best adhesives for the job. Here are the key factors to consider now you’ve decided to get your hands dirty with some plastic repair work.
Type
Glues that are suitable for fixing car plastics come in three main types. You’ll find each type within our product reviews, but for now, here’s a brief overview of your choices.
- Gel: the most common – easy to apply and dries solid
- Liquid: much more viscous, better suited for those with experience, but offers a hard seal once dry
- Spray: covers a wide area in one go, very time-efficient for larger jobs
Quantity
If you have a big repair job to get done, then you’re going to need a larger bottle. It makes sense to buy smaller tubes for smaller tasks because glue can dry out quickly, and it can suddenly become very difficult to remove caps and start using your tube. That just leads to wasted time and money. Some glues are designed with this in mind and will be a good investment, no matter the size of your repair job.
Of course, you’ll also need to factor in shelf life. There’s no point keeping a tube of glue in your workspace (or your refrigerator) if it’s going to deteriorate to the point of not being useful when you need to make quick repairs.
Color
While some glues are clear and will remain so even after they have set, others have a more cloudy appearance, and others come in a black color. If the join you’re creating will be visible and you don’t want to reduce the value of your vehicle, then a clear glue will be the best option. If the join is going to be out of sight, then coloring will be less of an issue.
Applicator
We all know how messy glue can be, and that’s why you need to pay attention to the applicator. Even some of the best glues in the world have packaging problems and poorly designed nozzles, and the results can get very sticky indeed. Other glues will have a brush for smoother glue layers or for coating smaller parts. Our reviews detail all known issues with product applicators and packaging.
Pliability
The glue that holds the plastics in your car together needs to be as pliable as those plastics. If you use glue or adhesive that dries too solid, then it can more easily break if used on the plastic parts of your car that require flexibility. You need your glue to be able to move with the parts it is joined to without breaking the bond.
Pliability at the time of application is also dependent on the dry time of the glue. To learn more about the expected dry time needed when gluing car plastics, check out our section here on setting time.
Price
Plastic glues for cars come in a wide range of prices, but more expensive doesn’t always mean it’s the best choice for you. In many cases, you’ll find that a cheaper, more suitable glue will do the job you need it for. Don’t get stuck on price if you have a very clear idea of what your repair job is going to be. Look instead at the glue that is designed for the job.
With the above factors in mind, here is our top 10 list of the very best plastic glues for your car.
Top 10 Best Glues for Car Plastic
1. Best Overall Plastic Glue for Cars: E6000 230022 Medium Viscosity Adhesive
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Type: Gel
- Quantity: 1
- Size: 3.7 Fl Oz
- Color: Semi-transparent
Incredible Bonds
This E6000 is one tough glue. It’s perfectly suited for making car repairs, and even big jobs will be made much easier and cheaper when you use this very affordable, incredibly tough adhesive. The best thing about this glue is that it’s an excellent all-rounder and is ideal for beginners and professionals alike.
This is a glue that will stick glass to glass and plastic to plastic, and that helps make it one of the best glues on the planet. For auto repairs, it’s hard to beat. It’s an amazing glue, and because it’s been designed to perform in industrial settings, it’s more than powerful enough for your car repairs.
Strong Odor
This is a glue that you must use in a ventilated space, although outdoors is even better. It’s incredibly strong-smelling and will give you a headache if you try to use it in a small room with no ventilation. Follow the instructions, and you’ll avoid that particular issue.
While an excellent glue, the E6000Auto/Industrial Adhesive does take some practice when it comes to application. It’s very easy to squeeze out more glue than you need, and you’ll find that even when you stop squeezing the tube, more glue will continue to release. Use your angles and try to pour out less than you need because this can be a very hard glue to remove if misapplied.
Size and Warnings
This is a big tube of glue, so you’re not going to run out for a while, no matter how badly damaged your car is. Make sure that you allow for drying time, with those projects that are left to set from between 24 and 48 hours more likely to stay stuck. It’s worth noting that this particular glue does come with a warning that says that it “contains a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer.”
Pros
- Incredibly tough
- Stays bonded despite temperature changes
- Can be used to stick almost anything to anything
- Large bottle
Cons
- Strong, potentially headache-inducing odor
- Tricky to apply without practice
- Scary warnings
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Type: Gel
- Quantity: 4
- Size: 4g each
- Color: Transparent
Easy to Use Gel
Unlike the majority of plastic glues on this list, this Henkel-Loctite Super Glue is a gel, and that’s a major bonus point. That’s simply because it is so easy to apply and much easier than liquid glues, which are prone to making a mess. The glue itself is incredibly tough and durable, dries quickly, and will last for a long time no matter what kind of car repairs you’re carrying out.
Single-Use
The tip on this container is incredibly well-designed too, and it will only clog if you make the mistake of leaving it open. That means you can use it again and again, although the incredibly small container size is certainly more suitable for single-use jobs.
It’s not a bottle as such and is more like a tube of single-use glue, and the downside of that is that it can be a job to get every drop of gel out. You may need to practice your squeezing grip! However, the ease of application is the big selling point of this ultra-clear gel, and even beginners will have few problems when it comes to making their car repairs.
A Firm Favorite
This may not be the strongest glue on the market, but when it’s this easy to make repairs, it’s certainly deserving of its place in this list. Put simply, this is the type of glue that once you use it, it will be very likely to be a regular feature of your shopping basket.
Pros
- Fast to dry
- The firmer gel is less messy than liquid glues
- Won’t dry out
- Single-use tubes
- Easy to control
Cons
- Small container
- Hard to get the last drops out
- Not the toughest glue
3. Best All-Rounder: Gorilla Clear Glue
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Type: Liquid
- Quantity: Available in 1-pack or 2-pack sizes
- Size: 3.75 Fl Oz
- Color: Transparent
Gorilla Quality
One of the biggest names in glue, Gorilla has a great reputation and a global brand. This clear glue is one of the toughest you can buy, and it’s particularly well suited to car repairs and maintenance because it’s designed specifically for indoor and outdoor use.
However, although it is sold as water-resistant, it’s not fully waterproof, like the Loctite Clear Silicone Waterproof Sealant. So if you live in areas with high levels of rainfall, such as Seattle, Washington, or New York, then you should be wary of using this too much.
The Price Issue
On the plus side, this glue is great for car repairs, especially if you sand or roughen where you plan on joining your two pieces of material. Of course, price is an issue here, and Gorilla Clear Glue is one of the more expensive adhesives on this list, especially when you factor in how much you need to use for each job. That’s because you tend to need a lot more liquid with Gorilla glues, and this one is no exception.
If you don’t use enough, then the edges will dry, and you will assume that the bond is sealed together when it isn’t. Unfortunately, using too little of this glue will leave you having to clean it and start again because you will always need more than you think.
Drying Time
You’ll have to let this glue sit for longer than other glues, sometimes for up to 48hours. This is a good, high-quality glue that can be ideal for car repairs, but the cost and the value for money make it less appealing than many of the alternatives.
Pros
- Great for hot and cold states
- Incredibly reliable when used correctly
- One of the toughest glues on sale
Cons
- You have to use a lot
- May not stand up to high levels of rainfall
- Takes a long time to set
4. Best for Seams: Tamiya 87038 Extra Thin Cement Glue
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Type: Liquid
- Quantity: 1
- Size: 40ml
- Color: Transparent
Extra-Thin but Ultra-Strong
This is the best glue you can buy if you’re looking at long seams that need reinforcing on your car. It’s incredibly easy to use, thanks to its pointed applicator tip, which gives you maximum control over exactly where you want your glue to go. If you do make a mistake, this is an ultra-thin glue, so it’s not going to be a lot of hard work to clean off and start over.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that because this is classed as ultra-thin that it won’t be up to the task of car repair. Not only will this glue remove paint, which will make it easier to bond two plastics together, it will also flow easily into any cracks and grooves that you need it to.
The Benefits of Being Extra-Thin
The fluidity of this glue means it’s ideal for getting into seams and small spots. It runs more like a liquid than most of the other glues on this list, but it will make your joins very tough. It’s also very easy to apply, and the level of control that you get with the applicator tip makes it one of the easiest glues on sale for beginners, especially when mistakes can be rectified with very little work.
It does have a very strong odor, so you’re going to want to use it only in a well-ventilated space if you don’t want to live with the glue smell for several hours after use.
Perfect for Reinforcement
While this isn’t a glue for big jobs and large parts, it’s ideally designed to reinforce those bigger jobs and could be the deciding factor when it comes to keeping your car in one piece. Unfortunately, it is almost too clear, which can make it very challenging to visually check that you have applied it to the right place. If you’d prefer something that’s easily visible, the J-B Weld 50139 Plastic Bonder comes in black.
Pros
- Incredibly easy to apply
- Perfect for small repairs and reinforcing other repairs
- Easy to fix gluing mistakes
Cons
- Not strong enough for big jobs
- Can be hard to see
- Strong smell
5. Best Budget Plastic Glue for Cars: Scotch Super Glue Liquid
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Type: Liquid
- Quantity: 4
- Size: .07 Fl Oz
- Color: Transparent
No-Run Perfection
Scotch Super Glue is tough, durable, and versatile, and it’s also one of the least messy glues on the market. This small .07 oz bottle comes with a precision control applicator, and that means it’s incredibly easy to put your glue exactly where it has to go. This Scotch glue also comes with a no-run formula, although this isn’t always as effective as advertised.
The good news is that the applicator alone is brilliant enough to justify its inclusion on this list, and the precision and control that you get is second to none. Most other glues will always ‘ooze’ a little more than you need unless you are experienced, but you don’t get that here.
No Drying Out
It’s not just the applicator that’s good either, because the bottle is also designed to specifically prevent the glue in the container from drying out. Like the Henkel-Loctite Super Glue, this glue comes in single-use tubes, but you aren’t limited to that single-use because you can always put the cap back on the container and store it.
You get four in a package, so you can even have one in your garage, one in your car, and have two spares for other emergencies. So while the tubes are small, they have more than enough glue needed for quick and long-term repairs.
Incredible Value
This is the glue to look at if you’re only planning to make small repairs on your car, simply because larger jobs are going to need a lot more glue to get the job done. If you’re looking to get some larger repair work done, you may wish to check out the E6000 230022 Adhesive, which comes in a much larger size.
Still, when it’s this easy to use, Scotch Super Glue Liquid in this small container is exceptional value.
Pros
- Unique precision control applicator
- Incredibly easy to use
- Less waste
- Strong glue
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Not a lot of glue in the container
- The no-run formula can’t be relied on
6. Best for Big Jobs: J-B Weld 50139 Plastic Bonder
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Type: Gel
- Quantity: 2
- Size: 0.85 Fl Oz
- Color: Black
Hardy and Permanent Adhesive
This isn’t technically a glue and is classed as an ‘adhesive system,’ but it’s particularly well suited to car repairs. It’s fantastic when it comes to bonding carbon fiber composites, thermoplastics, and many different types of coated materials. This is a big leap from traditional glues, but that’s what makes it stand out.
You mix it so that it can be more easily shaped, and it will fill out even the oddest of spaces. It also won’t drip or run as it dries, which always means less risk of things going wrong.
Tricky to Prepare
This is certainly more complicated to use than a basic tube of glue, but it sets incredibly quickly at just 15-minutes and once set, it’s a solid mass. It dries exceptionally hard, so it’s not going to be suitable for every repair job on your car. Often, you need a little flexibility and give, and this just won’t do that.
Instead, what you’ll get is a solid and incredibly strong bond, and that makes it perfect for filling out any dents on your bodywork, fixing bumpers in place, and repairing any interior or exterior plastic parts of your vehicle.
Long-Lasting
This is the bonding agent you need if you want to make sure that any repairs that you make will last as long (if not longer) than the car itself. Classed as a permanent bond, once this is in place, you’ll never have to worry about it again unless you’ve made a mistake. It will dry black though, so you may need to paint over it if your vehicle is a different color and your repairs are going to be visible.
Pros
- Extremely durable
- One of the toughest adhesives available
- Will last as long as your car
- Very quick to set
Cons
- It dries hard
- Mistakes are hard work to rectify
- Takes skill to use
7. Best for Fabrics: 3M Super 77 Multipurpose Spray
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Type: Spray
- Quantity: 1
- Size: 16.75 Fl Oz
- Color: Black
Joining Different Materials
This is a spray-on glue, so it’s very different from others on this list. It’s designed more for lightweight jobs, but when it comes to applying the fabrics in your car, it’s hard to beat. Whether you’re joining fabrics to other fabrics or to plastics or metals, this is the glue for you.
Unfortunately, if you’re trying to bond larger surfaces, then this won’t be your best option. In most cases, those larger surfaces will bond, but there is a very common issue with spray-on glues: if you use too much, then you’re going to end up with a weak joint, and that’s going to affect the safety of your car.
Struggles in Hot Weather
This spray-on glue is also prone to being vulnerable to hotter climates, so if you live and drive somewhere hot, then this is probably one to avoid. For those in more temperate states, this glue might be one of the best available. There’s no soaking-in, so you won’t lose too much of the glue to the materials, and it’s very uniform in its application.
Potentially Very Messy
Of course, because it’s a spray glue, you’re going to need to get some practice in, because it’s very easy to make a mess. When you start spraying glue, it can go where you don’t want it to go, and it can take a long time to clean up the mess that you make. Always put some tarpaulin down before you start spraying!
As you’d expect, this glue does have a strong odor, but it’s not one that lingers. More suitable for fabrics but still above average for smaller plastic repair jobs, this is a glue that has a very defined (and limited) value to the majority of car repairers.
Pros
- Good for lightweight jobs
- Ideal for gluing fabrics
- No soaking-in
Cons
- Not great in high temperatures
- Hard and messy to use
- Not brilliant with plastic-to-plastic bonds
8. Best for Extreme Environments: Loctite Stik n’ Seal Extreme Conditions Adhesive
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Type: Gel
- Quantity: Available in 1-pack or 6-pack sizes
- Size: 0.58 Fl Oz
- Color: Transparent
Fantastically Durable
From warped plastic panels on your bodywork to fixing broken side mirrors, this is one of the best, most practical, and brilliant all-round glues for car repairs. This glue from Loctite has been designed to be used in extreme temperatures, and the result is a glue that can be used anywhere and is almost guaranteed to keep what you want where you want it. It’s brilliant in the extreme temperatures of Vegas and LA, but it’s also incredibly resilient in colder, wetter climates.
This is the glue that motorists use when they’ve tried other, less durable options, and it’s the one you’ll keep coming back to if you try it just once.
Appalling Packaging
The problem is the packaging and the container. The packaging is needlessly difficult to open, while the applicator is incredibly imprecise. Considering the price of this glue, it should have a much easier to use application system, but the fact is that this is a very messy glue to try and use. That might seem like a minor nitpick, but you may need to get used to cleaning up glue messes until you’ve become a little more experienced with handling this troubling design.
Drying Time
Loctite Stik N’ Seal will create a permanent bond, but you will have to let it rest in place for drying. If you live somewhere humid, try to leave it for 48 hours, although generally 24-hours is more than enough. Often, it’s a good idea to use some tape to hold your pieces in place while this glue dries and bonds.
Whether you’re reattaching parts of your exterior or resealing your back windows, this is the glue that will do the job, as long as you are prepared for the potential mess.
Pros
- A permanent glue designed for extreme conditions
- You can use it almost anywhere on your car
- Perfect for big and small jobs
- No strong odor
Cons
- Very messy
- Hard to open
- Long dry time
9. Best for Clear Dries: Loctite Clear Silicone Waterproof Sealant
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Type: Gel
- Quantity: 1
- Size: 2.7 Fl Oz
- Color: Transparent
Amazing Glue, Flawed Packaging
This is one of the glues where the glue itself is almost flawless, but the packaging and container let it down. Ideally, this glue would be much higher up the list, simply because it’s so good at what it’s supposed to do. It’s very easy to apply, and it doesn’t have the problem of being overly odorous. It will dry quickly, and it won’t peel either.
Loctite recommends waiting up to 48-hours for the drying time, which might feel a little excessive, but that wait time is worth it. The result that you end up with will be as tough, waterproof, and as flexible as it comes. It dries clear too, so you won’t have to worry too much about the look of your car if you’re making exterior repairs.
The Problem with Mess
As soon as you try to open this otherwise excellent glue, you’re going to spot the problems. The cap will often split when you try to open it, and even if you can avoid that problem then it still might split when you finish with your glue and put the cap back on.
Tightening it by even a minor amount will result in a split cap. Of course, with a split cap, the glue that you have left in the container will be quick to dry, wasting your money.
It’s not just the cap that’s a problem either. The tube itself is very thick, which makes squeezing it a bit of an effort, and if you squeeze too hard, then you risk the tube cracking. That’s going to mean glue everywhere and a lot of waste.
Pros
- One of the strongest glues on this list
- No strong odor
- Dries clear
- Very flexible
Cons
- Easy to break the cap when opening
- The threat of splitting the tube
- Messy
10. Most Beginner Friendly Glue: Amazing GOOP 160012 Automotive Adhesive
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Type: Gel
- Quantity: 1
- Size: 3.7 Fl Oz
- Color: Transparent
Hugely Popular
This is a solid little glue that will do a lot more than you might expect. It’s designed to remain durable in temperatures from -40°F and 150°F, so it might not be any use for engine repairs, but it’s more than up for the task of other car fixes.
One of the reasons why this is such a popular glue option is because it has very little slip and slide when you’re placing two materials together. All you have to do is keep your pieces in place for a few seconds, and the bonding process begins. It won’t even stick your fingers together either! The low cost is just the icing on the cake.
Read the Instructions
Although the glue itself is great, its effectiveness will dramatically reduce if you don’t follow the instructions to the letter. It’s not great with metal, so if you’re trying to attach plastic to metal parts then your bond isn’t going to be as tough as you might hope. The major problem with GOOP is that it evaporates very quickly, so you need to make sure that you leave the lid on the container as much as possible.
The other issue is that, because it is such a thin liquid, it spreads very quickly, and you may end up having to apply more than one coat if you’re joining large surfaces. However, it goes on easily (sometimes too easily), and it is very user friendly once you get used to the runniness.
Potent odor
This is one strong-smelling glue, and you absolutely must use it in only a well-ventilated workspace. Preferably, leave your glued pieces outside while they dry, because the fumes from this glue are both very strong and toxic. You will get a headache if you try to use it in a small, enclosed space.
Pros
- Excellent glue
- Multi-purpose
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Toxic fumes
- Easy to spill
- Quick evaporation
Guide to Buying the Right Plastic Glue for Car Repairs
The best glue for your car repairs will always depend on your level of experience and the job that you hope to do. Some products, such as the J-B Weld Filler Syringe, will require some prep work that can be confusing if you’ve never used it before. Alternative options like the Henkel-Loctite Ultra Gel are incredibly easy to apply, making these options perfect for first-timers or for those that just want quick and easy fixes.
Picking the Best Plastic Glue
Of course, not every glue is going to be suitable for every purpose. Keep reading for some handy tips on how to choose the right glue for your specific situation.
Think About the Job
If you want to stick two pieces of your car together, then you’re going to want something that’s going to stick. There are a lot of different types of plastic in your car, so you need to make sure that your glue will bond between the specific materials that you’re joining. For example, if you want to join carpet and fabric to plastic, then 3M Super 77 Multipurpose Permanent Spray will be the preferred choice.
The bigger the job, the more glue you’ll need. For large jobs, you’ll want to avoid the single-use tubes that might contain excellent glue but will not be very cost-effective. Striking the right balance between the amount of glue that you need and the types of materials you are joining together is critical.
Setting Time
Lots of glues call themselves ‘fast set,’ but for very small jobs, that’s not going to be too much of a factor. Be wary though of paying too much attention to fast-dry claims when it comes to glues for car repairs. Making repairs on a car isn’t the same as breaking a child’s toy or your glasses.
Cars suffer from a lot of wear and tear, and you need to give your glue time to bond properly. Even if a glue says that it bonds in seconds or minutes, always leave it for at least 24 hours. There are ways to make your glue dry faster if you’re in a rush, but as a general rule of thumb, it’s always better to let the glue do its job.
Temperature and Weather
It makes sense that you want your car glue to be resistant to water, especially if you’re making repairs where that glue is going to be exposed to the elements. You also need to factor in the heat of your usual driving environment. Drivers in North Dakota will need to think more about the glue’s resilience to cold, while drivers in Florida will have to make sure that their glue is resistant to heat and sunlight.
Tips for Gluing Car Plastics
Before carrying out any repair jobs on your car with glue, you need to get things right. It’s very easy to make a mistake when it comes to gluing, and although some extra-thin glues will make mistakes easy to rectify, thicker glues can be a mess. So you need to make sure that you do things right the first time. That will mean:
- Prepping the surface: Wash down your surfaces with soapy water or a specialized plastic cleaner. Alternatively, you can use isopropyl alcohol to make sure that your surfaces are as clear of dirt and other particles as possible. Then, make sure the surface is dry, and keep your hands away from the surfaces that you’re gluing as you will leave oil residue from your hands that will weaken the glue bond.
- Use sandpaper: Glue sticks better if the surfaces are not smooth, so it’s worth taking a few minutes to do some light sandpapering of where your glue is going to go. You don’t need to go overboard because you just want a light roughness to the surfaces. If you don’t have any sandpaper to hand, then some steel wool will do the job just as well.
- Clamping: Even if a glue claims to be quick-drying, that doesn’t mean your car will be ready to drive a few minutes after you’ve glued two parts of it together! You will want to keep those pieces together and immobile for as long as possible, with 24 hours generally being the minimum. Secure your bonded parts together using some form of clamp or use tape/elastic bands to make sure that your pieces don’t slip out of place.
- Cleaning up: Once you have finished gluing everything that you need to glue, it’s time to clean the bottle and the cap. Use denatured alcohol or isopropyl alcohol to remove excess glue or any spillages on your work surfaces. Then, reseal your glue tightly and keep it somewhere dry. Many people swear by keeping their glue in the fridge, while others will recommend using a sealed mason jar with some dried rice inside to absorb any moisture.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to saving money on car repairs, there’s nothing quite like doing those repairs yourself. When even big jobs can be completed by using glue rather than by welding or using heavy equipment, it’s always worth looking a little closer at your options.
Don’t waste cash on expensive mechanics when you could already have all of the skills you need to start gluing your car back together again.
Source: Tools - autoquarterly.com
