What is the Best Glue for Repairing Ceramics?
And why?
Well, let me give you the answer. Hope, then you can understand easily.
As you know, ceramic is a porous material and doesn’t adhere well using any kind of glue. So, if you intend to use school glue to repair your broken dishes, think it again. Certainly, if you don’t make a right decision, you could end up making things worse.
In this article you’ll learn everything you need to know to choose the best glue for ceramic.
What is the Best Glue For Repairing Ceramics in 2020
| Product Name | Dimensions | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gorilla 2 Part Epoxy | 1.1X3.4X8.7 | 2.24 oz. | |
| Loctite Clear Silicone Sealant | 1.25X3.81X8 | 2.7 oz. | |
| Elmer's Glue-All Liquid | 10.8X14X6.4 | 5.3 oz. | |
| Gorilla Original Polyurethane | 9X4.5X1.5 | 8 oz. | |
| Loctite Ultra Gel Control | 7.8X5.5X5 | 6.4 oz. | |
| Krazy Glue Brush | 7.2X2.8X0.9 | 0.32 oz. | |
| Loctite Liquid Professional | 1X4X7 | 0.32 oz. | |
| Dap All-Purpose Adhesive | 1.2X3.8X8 | 4 oz. | |
| Loctite All Purpose Repair | 8X4X2 | 0.8 oz. | |
| Gorilla Clear | 1.6X1.6X6.8 | 7.5 oz. |
Benefits of The Best Glues For Repairing Ceramics
Certainly, ceramic objects are very fragile and break all the time. However, if a particular piece has a special value for you, you don’t necessarily have to throw it in the trash if it breaks. You could make miracles using the best glue for ceramic repair.
Here’s a list with the benefits of using the best super glue for ceramic.
Versatile
Above all, the best glue for ceramics is a very versatile product, because it allows you to:
- Repair stuff.
- Stick different materials.
- Make crafts.
Safe
Certainly, the best glue for ceramic mug is a safe product, because:
- Non-toxic.
- Biodegradable.
- Doesn’t contaminate the environment.
Money Saving
Also, using the best glue for porcelain helps you save money, because:
- You don’t have to buy a new piece if it breaks.
- You can make your own repairs.
- It’s cheap.
Top 10 Glue For Repairing Ceramic Reviews
If you need help fixing your broken ceramic pieces, today is your lucky day. Below, you’ll find a detailed review of the 10 best glues for repairing ceramics. So, if you don’t want to waste your money, stay away from generic glues and choose any of these options.
1. Gorilla 2 Part Epoxy Glue
Certainly, the best concrete adhesive. It’s also effective bonding plastic, tile, ceramic, wood, glass, aluminum and steel pieces. Also, its practical syringe dispenser allows a precise dosing of the product.
- It dries in 5 minutes.
- Practical syringe dispenser.
- Resistant to solvents.
- The glue may take more than 5 minutes to dry.
Gorilla 2 Part Epoxy Glue is certainly the best adhesive on the market. It also provides a strong bond between different materials. It’s also resistant to solvents and the bond can withstand up to 3300 psi of pressure.
2. Loctite Clear Silicone Sealant
It’s certainly the best glue for glass, so it’s ideal to prevent leaks on aquariums. It also creates a resistant bond on porcelain, tile, glass and metal. It’s also safe for electrical connections and resistant to saltwater.
- Waterproof.
- Resistant to saltwater.
- Easy to apply.
- Not recommended for galvanized metals and PVC.
- Not resistant to high temperatures.
Certainly, this product is ideal for surfaces exposed to water. It’s also translucent, so it won’t be visible when applied on glass. However, it isn’t efficient on some metals.
3. Elmer’s Glue-All Liquid Glue
Certainly, this is the best white glue for school projects. But, it also provides a strong bond on different materials, like wood, fabric, leather and ceramics. You can also use it in your household repairs and carpentry projects.
- It becomes translucent when it dries.
- Ideal for school projects and household repairs.
- Non-toxic formula.
- Not good for making slime.
- Not as resistant as other glues.
Elmer’s Glue-All Liquid Glue is ideal for light duties, like sticking pieces of paper together. It’s also a non-toxic product, so kids can use it without risks. However, it isn’t the best glue for plastic to metal.
4. Gorilla Original Polyurethane Glue
This product expands 3 times its original size, providing stronger bonds. In addition, it’s ideal for both household and industrial uses. Also, it’s waterproof and it doesn’t cracks with external elements.
- Provides a strong bond between different materials.
- Waterproof.
- Ideal for indoor and outdoor uses.
- Not very effective for gluing metal with metal.
- It takes too long to dry.
Certainly, Gorilla Original Polyurethane Glue is another option for light duties. When it expands, it creates a waterproof seal, resistant to moisture and external agents. Certainly, it’s one of the best products for gluing wood.
5. Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue
The design of its bottle allows a precise application. Also, Loctite Ultra Gel is thicker than other products, allowing a safe application on vertical surfaces. In addition, it’s waterproof and resistant to external agents.
- Waterproof.
- Safe application on vertical surfaces.
- It provides a flexible and resistant bond.
- Not quite efficient on metal surfaces.
Loctite Ultra Gel is certainly an improved version of the best super glue. Its plastic dispenser also allows precise dosing of the product, preventing waste. In addition, its gel consistency allows it to be applied safely on vertical surfaces.
6. Krazy Glue Brush On Super Glue
It includes a practical brush applicator, to cover wide areas without waste. In addition, its bottle doesn’t clog on the tip as it happens with most super glues. The bristles of the brush also stay loose for multiple uses.
Cons
- Practical brush applicator.
- Easy to apply.
- The tip of the bottle doesn’t clog.
- The product tends to dry inside the bottle.
- The brush tends to get stuck inside the bottle.
Certainly, Krazy Glue Brush On Super Glue is an easy-to-apply product. It’s also ideal to glue flat surfaces with each other. In addition, the product remains fresh for months when properly covered. However, the brush tends to get stuck inside the bottle, which is certainly frustrating.
7. Loctite Liquid Professional Super Glue
This product includes 20 grams of Loctite Super Glue, allowing more applications than the standard bottle. It’s also ideal for heavy duties and works well on plastic, rubber, ceramic, metal, fabric, chipboard and wood. It dries clear, so it won’t be visible on glass surfaces. Also, the design of its cap keeps air away from the tip, preventing clogging.
- Includes more product than regular bottles.
- It becomes translucent after drying.
- Its cap prevents tip clogging.
- You may need to apply too much product to get good results.
Loctite Liquid comes in a larger bottle, preventing you from spending more money on several small bottles. It also provides a tough bond, so it’s ideal for heavy duties. It also works well on metal. However, it may damage plastic surfaces.
8. Dap All-Purpose Adhesive Sealant
Certainly, this product is ideal for fixing leaks on aquariums. It’s also waterproof and resistant to saltwater. Also, it’s a non-toxic product, so it’s safe for your fish. It remains flexible with time and it doesn’t shrink or crack. In addition, it becomes translucent after drying, so it won’t be visible when applied on glass.
- Non-toxic product.
- Waterproof.
- Resistant to saltwater.
- You may need to apply too much pressure to get to product out of the bottle.
Dap All-Purpose Adhesive Sealant is certainly effective and resistant. However, it isn’t exactly the easiest to apply product. You may need to apply too much pressure to use it. So, you may cause a great disaster.
9. Loctite All Purpose Repair Putty
You can easily mold it to fill holes or replace missing parts. So, you just have to mix the two components of the product, apply and let it dry. It’s also waterproof and it works well on plastic, marble, stone, ceramic, wood, glass and fiberglass. After drying, the product can also be drilled without cracking risks.
- Easy to mold.
- Ideal for filling big holes.
- Waterproof.
- It takes too long to dry..
Certainly, Loctite All Purpose Repair Putty best glue for porcelain toilet repair. It’s also very easy to mix and apply. However, it takes too long to reach its maximum resistance. So, if you need immediate results, this isn’t the best product for you.
10. Gorilla Clear Glue
Its clear drying makes it ideal for translucent surfaces. It also provides a strong bond between different materials. It’s certainly effective on glass, foam, ceramic, metal, stone and wood. It’s also very easy to apply and it reaches its maximum strength 24 hours after application.
- Crystal clear drying.
- It takes 2 hours to dry.
- It reaches its maximum resistance after 24 hours.
- Not the best product for rubber.
Certainly, Gorilla Clear Glue is far superior to the best value Scotch. However, it isn’t the best product for heavy duties. In addition, the bond is extremely weak, so you must be careful or the piece could break again.
Buying Guide
Certainly, not all glues are suitable for ceramics. Some don’t provide a bond strong enough to hold two pieces together. So, the larger and heavier the piece, the greater the adhesion generated by the glue should be.
In the market there are adhesives based on chemical and natural products. But which type is the best of all? If you want to know, pay close attention to this buying guide. Today you’ll learn how to choose the best glue for repairing ceramics considering some important aspects such as chemical composition, color and consistency.
You’ll also know more about the paint types more suitable for wood surfaces.
Chemical Composition
Glue is certainly one of the oldest substances developed by man. It’s also known that the ancient Egyptians used glue based on animal tissue to join pieces of wood together to make tools, furniture and ships.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, glues used to be made of horse cartilage. However, the use of animals for glue production was banned years later, forcing manufacturing companies to develop new substances based on synthetic compounds.
Today, the adhesives are made from plant extracts, milk proteins, silicone, polymers, esters and resins.
PVA
PVA is a synthetic, biodegradable and environmentally safe polymer. It’s also very efficient for gluing paper, wood and other porous materials. You can also glue ceramic, but it doesn’t provide a bond strong enough to hold two large pieces together.
PVA is also the main ingredient of white glue, usually used in carpentry and school projects.
Silicone
It’s a synthetic polymer, formed mainly by oxygen and silicon atoms. Silicone is resistant to high temperatures and pressure. It’s also waterproof. Therefore, it’s commonly used as a tank sealer. Silicone also provides a very strong bond when applied in large quantities.
So, it works well on ceramics. But, you need to apply enough glue into the crack to hold the pieces together.
Cyanoacrylate
Cyanoacrylate is the main ingredient of super glue. This acrylic resin dries instantly when exposed to water. The natural humidity of the air also has a similar effect.
Cyanoacrylate-based glues are certainly efficient and widely used for household and industrial purposes. Also, they’re used in plastic surgery to close wounds. Cyanoacrylate also provides a quite strong bond, even if applied in small quantities. It’s certainly effective in porous materials and one of the best for bonding ceramics.
Epoxy
Epoxy resins are commonly used for the manufacture of industrial adhesives. This kind of glue consists of two components: resin and hardener. When both components are mixed, they form a polymer that adheres to any surface and then hardens with heat.
In addition, epoxy glue provides superior resistance to high stress and temperature. It’s also resistant to harsh chemicals. It’s by far, the best glue for ceramics. Curiously, the bond provided by epoxy glue is even stronger than ceramic itself.
Consistency
Before buying a certain glue, it’s also advisable to consider its consistency first. Some glues are too liquid, so they can cause problems in vertical applications.
In these cases, the glue would run off the surface, preventing proper adhesion between pieces. Therefore, the glue should be thick, so it can remain on the application area despite the effects of gravity.
Liquid glues are convenient to generate thin layers in wide areas. Some adhesives come with a brush applicator, which is ideal for these purposes. Super glue, for example, is very effective but too liquid. So, when you apply too much pressure on the tube, all the liquid could get expelled, causing in great mess.
To prevent this, it’s convenient to buy an applicator for super glue. These plastic devices allow a uniform application of pressure on the tube walls, allowing a more precise dosing.
Color
The color of the glue can play in your favor or against you, especially when aesthetics is your biggest concern. Some glues become translucent after drying. This feature is very convenient in the repair of ornamental objects, such as aquariums, jewelry, furniture and others.
However, some glues don’t have this feature. As it happens with epoxy adhesives. Certainly, they provide a strong bond between different materials; however, they aren’t the best for hiding imperfections. So, if you fix a crack with epoxy glue, surely someone will notice it.
However, epoxy adhesives are available in a wide variety of colors. For example, epoxy glues used for car repairs contain pigments that blend with the color of the car. So, you may consider this option to better disguise the imperfections of a colored ceramic piece.
What is the Best Glue for Repairing Ceramics FAQs
Maybe, after reading all this information, there are still unanswered questions in your mind that require an urgent answer. If that’s your case, don’t worry. In this FAQs section you’ll find everything you need to know.
Q1. How long does super glue take to dry?
Answer: Super glue usually dries after 10 minutes.
Q2. How long does super glue take to reach its maximum resistance?
Answer: It takes 24 hours to reach its maximum resistance.
Q3. What is the best glue for ceramics?
Answer: By far, epoxy glue is the best for ceramics and heavy duties.
Q4. What happens if the resin and hardener aren’t mixed in the correct proportion?
Answer: If that happens, the epoxy glue will have problems to dry and reach maximum strength.
Q5. Are all glues waterproof?
Answer: No. Some glues, like white glue, are soluble in water.
Q6. What should you do to remove super glue from skin?
Answer: Moisten a cotton piece with acetone and rub the affected area until the glue is completely removed.
Q7. Is super glue toxic?
Answer: Super glue is safe in case of skin contact. However, the gases generated by the product can be dangerous when inhaled in large quantities.
Conclusion
Before buying any glue, consider the size & weight of the piece and the environmental conditions that could affect the bond. If you consider each of the tips of this buying guide before buying, you’ll be ready to make the best decision.
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