Rubber is a material we get lots of questions and requests about since people usually find it difficult to bond. Many have trouble gluing rubber to rubber, while others try to figure out how to join rubber to plastic, metal, or wood.
To help you find the best glue for rubber, we compiled a list of 7 different adhesives that work with this material. We included models for many applications, and we wrote a guide that can help you better understand rubber and adhesives that work with it.
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Glue For Rubber – Reviews
We started our research with more than 30 glue models that were all advertised as the best glue for rubber. Only 7 made our list as they were flexible and strong enough to bond this material permanently.
The seven adhesives list includes models for every type of application and preference. After reading the reviews, we are sure that you will find the rubber glue that works the best for you!
Our Pick
Bob Smith Industries BSI-130 Ultra-Cure Tire Glue
Drying Color: Clear
Setting Time: 5-10 Seconds
Viscosity: Medium
It’s hard to choose a single glue that is the best for rubber, but if we had to go for one that works for most people and most applications, this Ultra-Cure cyanoacrylate adhesive will be more than enough. It works excellently with both natural and synthetic rubber and can bond a variety of materials.
Bonding
This glue is designed for tire fixing and is therefore very suitable for a lot of rubber work. The most important feature of this glue is that it’s very flexible, which is crucial for a long-lasting rubber bond.
The flexibility means that this glue won’t get brittle when it cures, which is the case with many other adhesives. Since the rubber is prone to movement, a brittle bond would most certainly lose its strength over time, and that’s not something we want.
This glue can bond both synthetic and natural rubbers excellently, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility.
In terms of versatility, it’s not that impressive. It doesn’t offer bonds as strong on metal or wood, but we found that it’s phenomenal on plastic. You can glue rubber to almost any plastic such as ABS, PLA, and PVC with this adhesive.
Since this is cyanoacrylate adhesive or super glue, it has excellent tensile strength and can hold challenging materials well. This particular model from BSI is even stronger than conventional super glue models, which means that it provides you with bonds that you can rely on.
We are certain that this adhesive can bond every type of rubber or plastic and make the bond long-lasting!
Drying Time
We have quite a bit of experience with super glue adhesives, but even we were surprised by how fast drying this glue is. It sets in an average of 10 seconds but can dry in as little as 5 if you apply it thin!
This amazing drying time will take your rubber projects to another level, as you will be able to finish them in no time!
Ease Of Use
Super glue adhesives are generally very convenient and easy to use, but they often have a few problems, such as drying in the bottle or oozing the glue after use.
Since Bob Smith Industries is a leading brand in cyanoacrylates, they wanted to address those issues and did so excellently!
You can forget about clogged nozzles and wasted glue as this bottle is specially designed to not allow for any moisture to get into it when it’s closed.
We really like the extended precision nozzle that you get with this super glue as it makes the application so easy and mess-free. Because of this, the glue is dispensed in very controlled amounts, which allows you to apply just the right amount of glue exactly where you want!
Another property of this glue that makes the application easier is the medium viscosity of this glue. The consistency of the adhesive is syrup-like, which prevents the flowing of the glue as much as the liquid version.
All of those features provide you with an enjoyable and carefree experience when working on your rubber projects!
Drying Color
We were pleasantly surprised to see that this tire fix glue is clear drying since most of the tire adhesives tend to dry a black color.
This means that you don’t have to use it for repairs or non-visible joints only. You can safely use it on parts that can be seen, and the dried residue will not affect the looks of the rubber.
This is yet another feature that allows us to have clean and expert-like results with this glue.
Environmental Resistance
If you’re gluing challenging rubber parts, such as your tire, you will want to make sure that the bond will withstand all kinds of weather that might come at it.
You won’t have to worry about that if you use the BSI-130. It is fully waterproof and can withstand high and low temperatures with ease.
Some customers have reported that they’ve been driving with the bonded tires for several years with no issues whatsoever. That just goes to show exactly how tough and resistant this glue is!
Affordability
The only drawback to this glue is its price, as it is more expensive than most cyanoacrylate adhesives. This is, of course, expected as it performs much better than most glues and has extreme sturdiness and resistance.
It’s well worth the price, in our opinion, and is by far the best glue for rubber you can buy!
Barge All Purpose Cement
Drying Color: Light Gold
Setting Time: 5 Minutes
Viscosity: High
The legendary Barge cement has been one of our favorite cement models for a long time. It works on many different materials and never fails to impress us. That’s why we figured to give it a try on rubber, as many people use it for this application, and it didn’t disappoint! Its performance on all types of rubber is outstanding, and its versatility is unmatched!
Bonding
The main advantages of using this cement are its high flexibility and strength. It is one of the most flexible cement models we tried, which makes it great for rubber application.
The strength of the Barge cement is up there with the highest-quality contact cement models. It can bond anything you can think of and has the strength for the most heavy-duty projects.
So we know that it works great with rubber, but how does it do on other materials. The short answer is just as good.
One reason we love this cement so much is its versatility and the fact that you can glue two materials that are very different in texture, weight, or size with no problem.
This cement is excellent for gluing rubber to plastic, rubber to wood, and even rubber to metal! If you’re having a rubber project where multiple materials need to be bonded, there is no better adhesive than this one!
Environmental Resistance
If you’re gluing some rubber soles, tires, or anything that will be exposed to outdoor elements, you want to give this glue a try.
It has excellent environmental resistance and can preserve the bond in even the harshest of environments.
Once it cures, the bond is fully waterproof and can tolerate extreme temperatures with no issues.
You can be sure that the bond on your rubber parts will stay strong, no matter the weather!
Ease Of Use
This cement is a joy to use. It comes with an applicator attached to the lid of the container, convenient for easy application. Many cement models don’t come with these and require you to buy separate applicators or make one at home, which isn’t always most convenient.
The viscosity of the glue is high, making the application cleaner and more controlled. You won’t see this glue spill or make a mess as it has higher consistency.
Drying Time
We love how fast drying this cement is. It is much faster than an average cement and can set in 5 minutes on average.
Note that different materials will result in differing drying times, as we sometimes got the glue to set in as low as 1 minute when we worked with rubber.
If you like using cement but want fast results, this is the perfect model for you!
Toxicity
The exceptional performance of this glue has its price, as this glue is high VOC and toxic. That means that you should work with it in a well-ventilated area that has a lot of air circulation.
We also recommend wearing protective equipment when working with the cement, as it can stain your skin or clothing easily.
This isn’t unusual for cement adhesives and is an expected byproduct of high performance.
Drying Color
Another property of this cement that is a drawback for some is the drying color. This adhesive dries a light gold color that can sometimes be visible after the cement dries.
Though it isn’t as noticeable as some other cement models where you see dark or tan-colored residue left behind.
Verdict
There isn’t a better adhesive in large quantities for rubber than this one. If you’re having a large project rubber and need something reliable, or you have a project where you need to bond rubber to a number of different materials, this glue is a great choice!
3M Super 77 Spray Adhesive
Drying Color: Clear
Setting Time: 15-30 Seconds
Viscosity: Low
No other adhesive provides as much convenience and ease of use as a high-quality spray adhesive. When you combine that ease of usage with high strength and versatility, you get this 3M 77 Spray adhesive. It is a great, clear, and fast-drying glue for rubber that works on this and many other materials excellently.
Bonding
People are generally skeptical about the strength of spray adhesives as they don’t seem as heavy-duty as traditional adhesives on first viewing.
This is not necessarily wrong, as many spray glue models are notorious for their lack of strength and the inability to produce permanent bonds.
But this 3M 77 spray adhesive is different and has gained popularity because of its high-grade composition and strong bonds.
Since this glue is great for making flexible bonds, we immediately thought of trying it out on rubber, and we were not disappointed.
The spray adhesive bonds rubber with ease and isn’t only restricted to rubber to rubber gluing. You can glue rubber to plastic, leather, wood, and even fabric with this 3M adhesive!
While this glue is on the higher power side when it comes to spray adhesives, we still recommend it for lightweight rubber projects, just as the manufacturer states.
In terms of bonding power and versatility, we believe that this is the best spray glue for rubber you can find!
Ease Of Use
Why do we buy spray adhesives in the first place? Because they’re cool and convenient.
With this type of glue, you eliminate any applicators, mess, or preparation needed before using the adhesive. All you need to do is press the button, and the magic happens!
This simplicity and the fact that this adhesive is fun to work with made it as popular as it is!
Drying Time
Another reason people prefer to use this type of adhesive is for its lightning-fast drying time. This glue is in the super glue territory when it comes to setting time and needs just 15 to 30 seconds to dry.
The quick-drying time coupled with the convenience and ease of use this adhesive provides will make you finish your rubber projects much faster and enjoy them more!
Drying Color
A big plus of this spray adhesive is the clear drying color. It makes the results and application even cleaner, and the results look professional-like.
Toxicity
Unfortunately, the same as the Barge cement, this adhesive is high VOC.
It has a strong odor and is recommended to be used only in a well-ventilated area along with protective equipment.
Affordability
The convenience and super-quick drying time have their price as this adhesive is on the pricier side.
If you’re working on a large project where you need a lot of strong glue, this isn’t the model for you.
But if you appreciate the convenience and want to have some fun with a smaller rubber project, give this one a go!
BSI IC-2000 Rubber-Toughened Adhesive
Drying Color: Black
Setting Time: 20-45 Seconds
Viscosity: Medium
Bob Smith Industries really knows how to make high-quality and resistant adhesives, as they’ve shown with this rubber-toughened glue. It works phenomenally on every type of rubber, and its flexibility makes the bonds last for years!
Bonding
Again, flexibility is the real hero here, and the fact that this glue is rubber toughened makes it ideal for every type of rubber bonding. In terms of performance and the strength of the bond, this is, without a doubt, the best glue for rubber to rubber you will find.
It is slightly more resistant than both the Ultra-Cure tire glue and Barge cement.
While it works splendidly for rubber to rubber applications, it doesn’t quite shine on other materials.
We recommend using this glue only for rubber to rubber repairs and projects as that is where it excels.
Drying Time
As with any super glue, the drying time is fast but is an average one that we see on most cyanoacrylate adhesives.
This glue will bond rubber in about 30 seconds on average, while the fastest drying time we got was just under 20 seconds.
Environmental Resitance
The resistance of this glue to water and extreme temperature is great.
You can safely use it for rubber projects where water will come in contact with the bond.
Ease Of Use
BSI never produces a glue container and applicator that is in some way faulty, and they kept their standards this time as well.
The nozzle is thin and excellent for easy and controlled application of the glue with no adhesive wasted.
We also like the medium viscosity that this glue has, which makes it stay in place and make no mess.
Drying Color
The drying color is a bit of a negative here as it can ruin the looks of the rubber depending on its color.
This glue dries black, which makes sense as its primary application would be for tires, but that makes it not well-suited in some use cases.
The good news is that the residue can be sanded and painted once the glue fully cures. This always a viable option if the looks of the bond are of importance.
Verdict
In terms of rubber to rubber bonding performance, this glue is an obvious number 1 choice! It has extra strength for this application, as it is rubber toughened and super resistant!
If you have some tires to fix or rubber soles to bond, this is the glue to go for!
3M Scotch-Weld Rubber Instant Adhesive
Drying Color: Clear
Setting Time: 15 Seconds
Viscosity: Low
Here is another 3M adhesive, this time a liquid one that works phenomenally with rubber. It’s a professional-grade glue that has high strength, flexibility, and resistance.
Bonding
This glue is specifically formulated to bond rubber and plastics, and it does that really well.
The flexibility is excellent, and the strength of the glue is almost on par with the rubber toughened BSI glue.
In terms of versatility, this glue can bond quite a lot but doesn’t perform as well on other materials as it bonds rubber and plastic.
We recommend using it on small but high-strength rubber projects and repairs, as those are the applications where it excels.
Drying Time
As this is essentially cyanoacrylate with certain additives, it is not surprising to see the fast drying time it has.
It can set in as low as 15 seconds, which is indeed fast and will speed up your projects significantly.
Ease Of Use
We like the small container design of this glue as it provides you with a lot of precision when applying the glue and makes you waste none.
One thing to keep in mind is that this glue is a low viscosity model, meaning it will likely run when you apply it.
Drying Color
The glue dries crystal clear, which is what we want. No discolored residue is left behind once the glue cures.
This makes the bonds look clean and professional-looking.
Affordability
The main issue we have with this glue is the price. Yes, its performance is top-notch, but it’s just too expensive for most rubber applications.
The only way this glue will be cost-effective is if you are having a small rubber or plastic project that requires high-strength bonds. In that case, this glue is a solid choice.
Loctite Gel Super Glue
Drying Color: Clear
Setting Time: 30 seconds
Viscosity: Medium
One of the best-selling super glue models in the US today is the Loctite super glue. That is mostly to do with its versatility, quick-drying, and strong bonding. We just had to try it on rubber, and since the glue is flexible, it did a fantastic job!
Bonding
Most of you are familiar with the bonding strength of the Loctite super glue. It’s definitely a high-end glue that has massive tensile strength.
What surprised us more than its power is the fact that this super glue gel model from Loctite is flexible. That meant that it will likely bond rubber great, and that’s precisely what it did.
With this glue, you will be able to bond rubber to rubber, rubber to plastic, rubber to wood, and rubber to metal with ease.
This is, in our opinion, the most versatile super glue for rubber you can buy. There isn’t a material it won’t work on!
Drying Time
The drying time is the standard Loctite setting time of 30 seconds on average.
This is definitely fast and more than enough for most people but if you want to go a step further and reduce the setting time to a minimum, try using this glue in a combination with an accelerator. It will give you almost instantaneous results.
We recommend this accelerator here (link to Amazon). It’s from BSI and works great with this adhesive.
Ease Of Use
Super glue is usually not that hard to use, but this model from Loctite is even easier than most conventional super glue adhesives.
The side squeeze bottle design and the gel-like consistency of the glue provide you with improved precision and control when applying the glue.
The buttons give you control over how fast do you want the glue to flow, while the thicker viscosity makes the glue stay where you put it.
It’s indeed a breeze to use this glue!
Affordability
The biggest drawback of this glue is the price. It’s the same case as the 3M rubber and plastic glue that we reviewed above. The performance is great, but there are equal or even slightly better models for less money out there.
But again, if you need only a small quantity of high-quality glue, it’s still a good option or an alternative glue for rubber to some of the adhesives above.
Dap Weldwood Original Contact Cement
Drying Color: Clear
Setting Time: 30-45 Minutes
Viscosity: Medium
A great cheaper alternative to the Barge cement we reviewed above is the original Dap contact cement. It’s almost as good in terms of performance on rubber but is more affordable and available in smaller quantities.
Bonding
The bonding power of this glue is almost on par with the Barge cement. It has enough strength to bond rubber to just about anything you can think of.
Just like the Barge model, this one has great flexibility once it cures and offers great longevity of its bonds because of that.
The versatility of this DAP cement knows no bounds as it is compatible with almost any material, porous or non-porous.
It’s overall a great choice for bonding rubber to rubber and rubber to a wide variety of materials.
Environmental Resistance
Another perk of using this cement is the excellent resistance to water and high and low temperature.
This glue can withstand total submersion, which means that it’s fully waterproof. It’s a great choice for outdoor rubber projects that will likely be exposed to natural elements.
Drying Color
One of the surprises we had when we first saw this cement is that it is clear drying.
Most contact cement models have a slight color when they dry, including the model we reviewed, but this doesn’t happen with the DAP cement.
That means that results are clean and tidy.
Ease Of Use
One of the drawbacks of this most cement models is that it doesn’t come with an applicator. You will have to buy it, make it yourself, or use an existing one that you already have.
The glue itself is easy to apply as it has some thickness to it. It’s a medium viscosity glue and doesn’t flow as much as liquid adhesives.
Drying Time
The drying time is the standard contact cement setting time of 30 to 45 minutes.
The results will not be nearly as fast as with the Barge cement, and this is probably the biggest difference between the two apart from the price.
Verdict
This is a great cement that works wonderfully on rubber, plastic, and other materials. The drawback is the slow drying time, but the price is more than fair when you compare it to the competitors.
What To Look For When Choosing Glue For Rubber
Since rubber is a specific material with a characteristic set of properties, it’s vital to choose the adhesive that is compatible and can provide a long-lasting bond.
We will now go through the most important features you should consider when buying the best glue for rubber.
Flexibility
The first thing you should look at when choosing glue for rubber is whether the adhesive is flexible. If it’s not, the bond won’t last. As simple as that!
Since rubber will tend to move after bonding, we want to avoid an adhesive that will get brittle, and the best way to do this is to pick an adhesive that has excellent flexibility.
Type Of Glue
There are quite a few types of glue that can work with rubber, but we will only mention 3 that worked the best for us.
Those three are:
- Super Glue
- Contact Cement
- Spray Adhesive
As we said, there are definitely other types of adhesive that will work for this application, but we had the best results with these and that’s why we recommend them.
There are a lot of flexible super glue models that work great with rubber. They have great strength, dry quickly, and are very versatile. You will be able to bond rubber to quite a lot of materials when using cyanoacrylates.
Contact cement is our second favorite, just behind the super glue. It is very flexible, which is what we want for rubber gluing.
Some spray adhesives work great for rubber, but be sure to pick only high-grade ones that are flexible. Most models from 3M will be able to bond this material with high success.
- Drying Color: Clear
- Setting Time: 5 to 10 Seconds
- Viscosity: Medium
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Wrap Up
That wraps it up for this article. We provided you with seven excellent models that are more than able to glue rubber successfully.
Go with any of these, and you won’t be sorry!
read more
