These 6 Glues Can Bond Metal to a Variety of Materials

Gluing metals can be challenging for a number of reasons. Metals are not porous, so glues can’t penetrate the surface. Additionally, metal objects are often used outdoors, so metal glues have to withstand extremes of heat and cold, water, and possibly salt or chemicals. But modern metal adhesives have been formulated to overcome these challenges, making it possible to join metal to metal, fabric, wood, and glass. 

However, there is no universal solution for every situation and type of bond. As with other tools and products, choosing the right glue rests on knowing which conditions you need the adhesive to work under. We tested six different metal glues to find the best picks for gluing metal to various materials. With its durability and excellent strength qualities, J-B Weld’s KwikWeld epoxy glue topped our list, but we were also impressed by the other options we highlighted. Keep reading to learn how to identify the best glue for metal for a wide variety of scenarios and to discover some of our favorite picks.

1. BEST OVERALL: J-B Weld KwikWeld 10-Ounce Professional Epoxy Glue
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2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Loctite Super Glue Ultra Gel Control
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3. BEST POLYURETHANE: Gorilla Original Glue
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4. BEST FOR CONSTRUCTION: Liquid Nails Fuze*It Max All Surface Adhesive
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5. BEST STRENGTH: Gorilla Clear Grip Contact Adhesive
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6. BEST VERSATILE: Blue Magic QuikSteel Steel Epoxy Putty Repair
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Glues for Metal Comparison

Our Top Picks

Our top picks for the best metal glues include a variety of brands across different categories. The following products should make it easier to find the right glue for a metal-related project.

Our Ratings

J-B Weld glues are widely recognized as among the best for metal-to-metal bonding, and, true to its reputation, KwikWeld was among the best-performing glues we tested. It supported 20 pounds of weight during our sheer strength test before giving way. Along with its strength qualities, we also liked its dark gray color that blends well with metal, an important quality for visible bonds. With two 2-ounce bottles offered at a low price, you also get a lot of it for not a lot of money.  

There are some trade-offs with KwikWeld. As with other epoxies, you’ll need to mix the resin and hardener just prior to applying it, which is a step other types of glues don’t require. That said, we found that JB-Weld KwikWeld mixes easily and has a thick enough consistency that it was easy to apply without runs or drips. 

The setting time for this epoxy glue is 6 minutes, which is faster than most epoxies, as is its 4- to 6-hour cure time. It’s waterproof once fully hardened, and it can be sanded, primed, and painted. Plus, it can withstand temperatures up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes it useful for applications that expose it to extreme temperatures, such as repairing a grill.

Along with being a metal-to-metal adhesive glue, KwikWeld epoxy is also effective at sticking metal to wood, brick, masonry, ceramics, and fiberglass, though an alternative is recommended for glass.

What our tester says: “Sure, you have to mix KwikWeld before you can use it. But the quality of bond you get between metal parts with this epoxy is worth the extra step.”—Tony Carrick, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the J-B Weld glue for metal at Amazon, The Home Depot, Walmart, Grainger, or J-B Weld.

Our Ratings

Tremendous strength qualities and an intuitive design that makes it easy to apply make Loctite the best superglue for metal. The brand’s Ultra Gel is considerably thicker than other superglues, which have a watery consistency that doesn’t work well with metal surfaces.

The bottle also has two side pieces that you squeeze to push glue out of the bottle. This design made it easy to regulate how much glue we squeezed out, which allowed us to minimize mess and maximize use of this glue, which was important given that you only get a scant 4 grams of glue in a bottle. This is a glue that’s designed for joining small pieces of metal as opposed to larger sheets.

As with all cyanoacrylates, metal bonding is very rapid, and finger pressure is all that’s required. Loctite is darn strong, as well, reaching 20 pounds on our weight test before giving way. And since it dries clear, it’s less noticeable than other solid glues. Plus, it retains a small amount of flex, so it is impact and vibration-resistant.

As with other cyanoacrylate glues, it is very important to close the tube immediately after use or it can quickly dry out. This glue is also very difficult to remove once applied. Ultra Gel will bond metal to paper, plastic, wood, fabrics, ceramics, and rubber. Loctite says it will withstand temperature extremes, but it doesn’t provide details.

Get the Loctite glue for metal at Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Walmart.

Our Ratings 

Given how successful and ubiquitous its products are, it’s hard to believe that the Gorilla brand has only been around since 1994. But that’s for good reason: its products are reliably good, as is this pick, a highly versatile polyurethane glue that provides high-strength bonding of metal, wood, most plastics, concrete, masonry, ceramics, stone, glass, and foam. It is particularly good when different materials need to be glued together.

Gorilla’s polyurethane glue is relatively easy to apply, but since it requires clamping, making a good bond can be difficult depending on the material you’re working with. Clamping our test pieces together without causing the glue to adhere the clamp to the workpieces was tricky. Clamping also caused some glue to press out, requiring more clean-up. Note that it dries to a beige color, which makes it more visible against metal. 

Gorilla’s polyurethane glue was the weakest of the bunch, with the bond between our sheet metal and metal piece failing at just 10 pounds, a full 20 pounds less than the best strength winner on this list. While that weaker performance may suggest it’s simply not a good glue for metal, that’s not necessarily the case. The company states this glue can withstand temperatures between -40 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, polyurethane glue is waterproof and isn’t affected by the sun’s UV rays, making it a good option for metal projects that may spend their days outdoors (assuming, of course, the bond isn’t subjected to a heavy load).

Get the Gorilla glue for metal at Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, Walmart, or Target (2 ounces).

Our Ratings

Liquid Nails’ Fuze*It Max is an exceptionally versatile adhesive that will glue metal to very nearly anything, including unusual materials like marble, bathroom ceramics, concrete, PVC, and drywall. It can be applied at temperatures between 0 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit—even while it’s raining!

One of this glue’s greatest strengths is the amount of glue you can spread with it. Since you’re applying Liquid Nails with a caulk gun, you can apply it over a much broader surface than other glue types. A single cartridge will cover about 30 linear feet with a ¼-inch-wide bead, which makes it a great choice for gluing larger materials together, such as metal trim and fixtures. And since it is waterproof and can withstand extreme temperatures of -40 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit, you can use it for outdoor applications. It’s worth noting that the thickness (and the fact that it needs a caulk gun) makes it a poor option for joining smaller objects together. 

During testing, it failed at 16 pounds of weight, which makes it strong enough to handle most metal gluing applications. Unlike other glues we tested that produce strong fumes, Liquid Nails Fuze*It Max has low odor and low VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which is why it has an independent Greenguard Gold certificate for low emissions.

Get the Liquid Nails glue for metal at The Home Depot or Menards.

Our Ratings

Gorilla clear grip creates a very strong bond, is easy to apply, and dries crystal clear, which is why it’s a great all-around option for gluing metal together. With its gel consistency, it’s thicker than other plastic cement glues we’ve used. This meant fewer drips, which helped with application. It also grabs quickly and sets in just seconds, so there’s no need for clamping. 

While we appreciated how easy it was to apply, Gorilla’s Glue Clear Grip’s best attribute is its strength. Of the six glues we tested, Gorilla clear grip proved to be the strongest glue for metal, reaching a sheer load of 30 pounds before finally giving in, which is 10 pounds more than the next best metal glue that we tested. 

This glue dries crystal clear, so it’s less noticeable than other glues that dry to a darker opaque color. Plus, it’s waterproof, making it an option for outdoor repairs. 

Along with metal, Gorilla Glue’s Clear Grip also works on glass, fabric, wood, ceramic, leather, paper, and plastic. Plus, it’s sandable, paintable, and stainable. It does have a narrower temperature range of 50 degrees to 90 degrees Fahrenheit for application, which limits how it can be used.  

What our tester says: “Gorilla Glue Clear Grip offers tremendous strength for joining metal parts while also being very easy to apply. It was one of the easiest glues to work with, and I was impressed by just how strong the bond was once it set.”—Tony Carrick, Product Reviews tester and writer.

Get the Gorilla contract adhesive clear grip at Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Walmart.

Our Ratings

Quiksteel epoxy putty is a two-part product that is mixed together by hand, then molded onto or around metal components to bond them together. We’ll start right off by saying that it was not one of the best-performing metal glues. It requires more effort for application as you need to knead it together to activate it before applying it. On top of that, it doesn’t have any flex and can occasionally fracture under heavy or repeated impacts.

That said, it’s one of the more versatile metal glues—for example, it’s one of the very few metal adhesives that will work on cast iron. Once hardened, it can withstand temperatures as hot as 500 degrees Fahrenheit. It can also be drilled, filed, sanded, machined, and painted. During testing, it displayed good strength qualities, holding strong until it reached 16 pounds.

Its putty-like consistency also means you don’t have to worry about drips, making it ideal for vertical or even inverted repairs. QuikSteel also sets relatively fast—only 5 minutes—and will even set up underwater. It fully cures in just an hour, and it cures gray, so it will blend in with metal surfaces. 

While frequently used for repairing bicycles, metal furniture, appliances, and machinery, it can also be used for gluing steel, wood, ceramics, glass, fiberglass, PVC, and most plastics. Plus, it is rated as safe for use with drinking water by the independent NSF testing organization. 

Get the Quiksteel glue for metal at Amazon, Walmart, or Grainger.

Jump to Our Top Picks

How We Tested the Best Glue for Metal

All of our top picks for glues capable of bonding metal come from widely recognized brands. These are companies with vast experience that have invested heavily in their products. They also have the technical know-how to back up their claims. 

Once we selected the products we wanted to try out, we set about testing the strength of each. We glued six metal L-shaped brackets to a sheet of aluminum using each of our six selections. We began by carefully prepping the surface by roughing it up with sandpaper, then meticulously following the application instructions for each glue to attach the brackets. After waiting for each glue to fully cure, we hung a bucket from each bracket and gradually added water while closely monitoring the amount of weight in each bucket until the glue failed and the bracket pulled off the aluminum. 

We also used the glue on various other materials, including ceramics, plastic, and wood. Along with this strength test, we also assessed how easy each glue was to apply, how long it took the glue to dry, its tendency to drip, and whether any pre-application mixing or kneading was required. 

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Glue for Metal

A variety of products are claimed to be effective at metal bonding. While the claims may be largely true, there are important differences that will determine the best metal glue choice for a particular project. It is useful to understand a little about how each performs with different types of materials and their suitability for different environments. 

Types of Glue for Metal

Few glues for metal are intended solely for that purpose. While metal-to-metal glues are available, soldering or welding is often a preferred method of joining metal. Most glues have a wider range of applications, in that they can be used to bond fabric, plastic, glass, stone, ceramics, or other materials to metal. They can be divided into three main groups: epoxy, polyurethane, and superglue.

Epoxy Metal Glue

Epoxy is usually the best glue for metal-to-metal joints. Like other forms of adhesive, epoxy for metal consists of two components: a resin and a hardener, which are mixed in equal proportions. Sometimes they come in handy twin plungers that ensure equal measures, though individual tubes are more common.

Once fully cured (drying times are compared below), the bond is very hard, waterproof, and can be sanded or drilled. Most also withstand large variations in temperature. A useful feature of metal epoxy glue is that it doesn’t conduct electricity. It is the most versatile glue for metal, capable of metal bonding or gluing virtually all materials.

Polyurethane Glue 

Polyurethane glues have long been popular as woodworking adhesives and for construction use. While they do not form as strong a bond as epoxy, they can nevertheless be a good glue for metal, particularly when securing to other materials.

Polyurethane glue for metal requires either moisture or heat to cure properly, which may seem like a disadvantage, but room temperature and ordinary humidity are usually sufficient for activation. Still, it’s important to check the maker’s instructions to be sure the environment is suitable. 

The advantages that polyurethanes offer include good coverage and excellent gap-filling ability, as they expand while curing. Most polyurethane glues have good water and UV resistance, so they’re suitable for outdoor use.

Superglue for Metal 

Cyanoacrylates (better known as superglues) are rapid-setting polymers that form strong chemical chains when water is present. As with polyurethane glues, there is usually enough moisture in the atmosphere for activation. There is also sufficient moisture in the human body, which is why it adheres to skin so well.

While often seen as a general-purpose household adhesive, the formulation is usually adjusted to suit particular applications. If you are wondering, “Does superglue work on metal?” you’ll find that ordinary “superglue” will glue metal to metal and other materials. More success will normally be found with high-strength versions. While cyanoacrylates have some degree of water resistance, they are rarely recommended for outdoor use. Cyanoacrylates are best for small metal bonding tasks or minor repairs.

Bonding Process and Drying Time

Each type of metal glue has a different bonding process and drying time. While there are variations between products, most have similar characteristics that fall into the following categories. It’s important to double-check the manufacturer’s instructions on the label for variations in method or drying and curing times. Wearing gloves or other protective gear may also be recommended. 

• Epoxy: While these adhesives are versatile, epoxy can be quite fussy in terms of surface preparation. Any contamination will weaken the bond. It’s usually recommended that metal surfaces are roughened with coarse abrasive where possible. Epoxies should be applied to both surfaces to be joined. Initial drying takes anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, and full curing takes anywhere from 4 to 24 hours.

• Polyurethane: These are single-part adhesives, and polyurethanes tend to be more forgiving than epoxy. However, care with preparation is always recommended, and application varies. Some only need to be applied to one surface, while others are applied to both. Initial drying usually takes a couple of hours, but while some cure fully in 24 hours, some construction adhesives require up to 2 weeks for a fully secure bond.

• Cyanoacrylate: It is often assumed that all that’s required when using superglue is to dab a spot of adhesive on an item and hold it together for a few seconds, but it needs a clean and dry surface in order to work. Superglues only need to be applied to one surface, and while all work quite rapidly, drying time varies considerably. Depending on the product, drying can take anywhere from a few seconds to 5 minutes.

Resistance to Pressure, Chemicals, and Elements

Adhesive bond strength, also known as tensile strength, is sometimes used as an indicator of how well a particular glue performs. It is measured in pounds per square inch, or psi, and indicates the amount of pressure required to break the bond. Figures can be impressive, with more than 5,000 psi quoted in some cases. However, there is no standardized testing, leaving manufacturers free to use their own measuring systems. While these products undoubtedly offer high performance, without independent verification, it is impossible to make direct comparisons.

Environmental conditions will also influence which product is best. Usually water-resistant, epoxies will often survive harsh conditions, and they aren’t easily affected by many household and workshop oils and chemicals. The same is true of polyurethanes—particularly construction adhesives. These can withstand the sun’s harmful UV rays, and may offer temperature ranges that stretch from below freezing to several hundred degrees Fahrenheit. Still, it’s important not to generalize. The specific resistance of each product needs to be checked before purchase.

Ease of Use 

Another difference among glues for metal is the ease of use. Some need to be mixed, others require tools for application, and most require an initial setting time before they fully cure.

• Epoxy: As mentioned above, epoxy glue for metal is a two-part product that needs to be mixed before use. It starts to cure as soon as it’s mixed, so it is important to pay attention to the product’s “open” (or “working”) time, particularly with rapid-set types. Within a few minutes, it will begin to harden, and once it does, it will become increasingly thick and difficult to work with. Clamping is usually recommended during the initial drying period.

• Polyurethane: These are single-part adhesives, usually supplied in bottles or as cartridges for use in a caulking gun. They are easy to apply and spread, and they’re fairly forgiving in terms of open time. Some do have a strong “grab,” so they can be difficult to pull apart if misaligned. They begin to harden after about 10 minutes. Sometimes, spraying surfaces with a little water is advised to begin the reaction. As polyurethanes expand, good clamping is critical. Any glue that squeezes from joints is more easily wiped off straight away with a damp cloth. The bond can be chiseled, filed, or sanded once fully hardened.

• Cyanoacrylate: Care is needed when applying cyanoacrylates. Liquid versions are easy to spill, and it’s not difficult for accidents to happen, like pieces being glued incorrectly or even attached to fingers. Superglue gels are somewhat more forgiving. With care, the small squeeze bottles offer great precision when gluing metal or other materials.

Tips for Using the Best Glue for Metal

While everyone should have a tube or two of glue in a junk drawer or tool box, each type of glue for metal behaves differently, so it is extremely important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure a lasting bond. However, there are a few general tips that will help maximize performance from all of these adhesives.

• Always prioritize safety first and read the product label carefully. The glue may emit unpleasant fumes, making it necessary to work in a well-ventilated area. We recommend eye protection and lightweight nitrile work gloves.
• Ensure that the surface of the metal you plan to glue is free from contaminants such as oil, grease, rust, flaking paint, and brake dust. A rag soaked in mineral spirits can be used to wipe the surface. High-strength metal cleaners can also be used, as long as they don’t leave a residue.
• Some glues for metal benefit from being clamped while they cure. It is often worth conducting a test assembly to ensure you have everything on hand, especially if the glue starts to cure quickly and you have limited time to work.

FAQs

There are many technical aspects involved in gluing metal. While the sections above likely already answered many of the questions that arise, you may still have others. The following answers address the most common issues discovered in our research.

Q. How long does it take for a glue for metal to dry?

Dry time depends on the type of glue you use for gluing metal. Cyanoacrylates provide an initial bond in seconds, though they take longer to cure fully. Other products require anything from 30 minutes to 24 hours. Never assume a drying time—always follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

Q. Is metal for glue toxic?

Although most are nontoxic when fully cured, many are toxic before they cure. They may emit harmful vapors and/or irritate the skin. It’s important to read the product safety label. 

Q. How do I glue metal to glass?

Either cyanoacrylates (superglues) or two-part epoxies are typically recommended. Cyanoacrylates are suitable for small pieces and can be less noticeable than epoxy, although the latter offers greater strength when covering a large area is required.

Q. How do I glue metal to wood?

Several glues can be effective at gluing metal to wood. Construction adhesives, cyanoacrylates, and two-part epoxies all work. It’s important to consider the environment where the glued components are used. Consider whether the adhesive needs to withstand temperature variations and whether it requires waterproofing. The information in the article above can help.

Q. Does PVA stick fabric to metal?

No. It might provide a weak temporary hold, but PVA relies on porous surfaces for proper bonding. It will glue fabric, paper, and wood, but does not glue metal. Once again, epoxy resin is the best choice here.

Q: What are the disadvantages of metal glue?

Gluing metal is difficult. Since metal is not porous, it can be challenging for glue to adhere to it. That’s why it’s so important to rough up the metal to create a surface that’s ideal for bonding. 

Q: How permanent is metal glue?

A metal glue’s permanence depends on the type of glue. Epoxy glues, polyurethane, and cyanoacrylates create a particularly durable bond. One major factor is the glue’s ability to endure extreme temperatures, weather conditions, and vibrations, especially if the glue is being used for machinery or in an outdoor environment. 

Meet the Tester

Tony Carrick is a freelance writer specializing in home improvement, landscaping, technology, home security, and design. His articles have been featured on such sites as Popular Mechanics, Futurism, SFGate, Pro Tools Review, and more.

Additional research provided by Bob Beacham

 

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