How to Choose the Best Adhesive for Wood, Metal, Glass & Plastics

Choosing the right adhesive can make or break your repair, craft, or construction project. Different materials have unique properties—porosity, rigidity, and surface texture—that demand specific bonding solutions. Whether you’re fixing a wooden chair, repairing a metal fixture, sealing glassware, or bonding plastic parts, this guide will help you pick the perfect adhesive for the job.

Key Considerations Before Choosing

Before diving into material-specific recommendations, keep two critical factors in mind:

Bond strength needs: Do you need a temporary hold, permanent bond, or high-impact resistance?
Application conditions: Will the bond be exposed to moisture, heat, or outdoor elements?
Material compatibility: Not all adhesives adhere well to non-porous surfaces (like glass) or low-surface-energy plastics (like polyethylene).

Adhesives for Wood

Wood is porous, so adhesives that seep into grain and create mechanical bonds work best.

Best options: Carpenter’s glue (PVA glue), epoxy resin, or contact adhesive.
Why: PVA glue is water-based, easy to clean, and ideal for indoor wood projects (e.g., furniture assembly). Epoxy offers superior strength and water resistance, perfect for outdoor wooden structures or load-bearing joints. Contact adhesive provides instant grab, great for bonding wood to non-porous materials like laminates.
Pro tip: For outdoor projects, choose a waterproof epoxy or exterior-grade PVA glue to resist rot and moisture.

Adhesives for Metal

Metal is non-porous and often requires heat or chemical bonding to form a durable hold.

Best options: Epoxy putty, AB epoxy glue, or threadlocker (for fasteners).
Why: Steel-reinforced epoxy putty hardens like metal, making it ideal for filling cracks, repairing rust holes, or bonding metal parts (e.g., automotive components). AB epoxy glue offers high shear strength and heat resistance (up to 260°C for some formulas), suitable for industrial or heavy-duty metal bonds. Threadlocker prevents screws and bolts from loosening due to vibration.
Pro tip: For clean metal surfaces, lightly sand before applying adhesive to improve adhesion.

Adhesives for Glass

Glass is smooth, non-porous, and brittle—adhesives must create a strong bond without damaging the surface.

Best options: Clear epoxy AB glue, super glue (cyanoacrylate), or silicone adhesive.
Why: Clear epoxy dries transparent, resists moisture, and provides a rigid bond for glass repairs (e.g., broken vases or window frames). Super glue offers instant bonding for small, non-load-bearing glass projects. Silicone adhesive is flexible, making it ideal for glass that needs slight movement (e.g., glass shower doors).
Pro tip: Avoid solvent-based adhesives—they can cloud or weaken glass over time.

Adhesives for Plastics

Plastics vary widely in composition, so compatibility is key.

Best options: Super glue (for rigid plastics like acrylic), epoxy resin (for high-strength bonds), or plastic-specific adhesives.
Why: Super glue works well for bonding rigid plastics (e.g., PVC or ABS) but may fail on low-surface-energy plastics (like HDPE or PP)—use a plastic primer first for these. Epoxy provides a durable bond for plastic parts that need impact resistance (e.g., toy repairs or automotive plastic components).
Pro tip: Check the plastic type (usually marked on the product) before selecting an adhesive—some formulas are designed exclusively for specific plastics.

Final Tips for Success

Always read the adhesive’s instructions for curing time, temperature limits, and safety precautions.
Clean surfaces thoroughly (remove dust, oil, or grease) before applying adhesive—dirty surfaces lead to weak bonds.
For large projects or uneven surfaces, clamp parts together until the adhesive fully cures.

If you’re looking for high-quality adhesives for bulk use, we offer a wide range of wholesale options—including super glue, epoxy putty, AB glue, and threadlocker—suitable for wood, metal, glass, and plastic applications. Contact us to explore our wholesale offerings and get the right bonding solutions for your business or projects.