Whether you are making or repairing a broken glass object, the best glass glue should have the right formula for the job and be strong enough to handle the pressure, temperature, and humidity levels that glass is exposed to. Your main options are superglue, silicone glue, and epoxy resin—many of which are multipurpose glues that can be used on plastic, wood and other materials, as well as glass.
- Super glue is great for small repairs on interior glass that won’t be exposed to the elements. It dries quickly and is safe, but is generally not very weather-resistant.
- Epoxy is a durable compound that dries to a glass-like surface, making it ideal for large jobs. It resists moisture without shrinking, but can be a chore to apply.
- Silicone glue is suitable for small to medium jobs, especially on exterior glass. This flexible glue has a spreadable consistency and dries to form a waterproof seal.
Whichever formula you choose, make sure it's strong enough to repair. You'll often see strength ratings expressed in pressure per square inch (PSI). The higher the PSI, the more durable it is. For example, most people know that superglues are very strong, but the reason they are so powerful is because they have an average PSI of 4,000. While the glue's strength and ability to withstand moisture and temperature will determine how firmly it holds, it's also worth considering whether it's easy to work with. A glue kit with a fine applicator tip or built-in brush is ideal when you don't want glue everywhere. Epoxies, on the other hand, require mixing, and while some are designed to be easier to prepare and apply, others have to be stirred together by hand and don't come with an applicator.
Finally, consider the glue's drying time (how long it takes for the moisture to completely evaporate from the glue) and cure time (how long it takes for it to chemically harden). The quick drying time is great for small repairs, but can be inconvenient for larger jobs that require the glue to remain usable for a while. Many glues take 12 to 24 hours to fully cure, and some take three days or more. You'll need to wait until the glue has fully cured before you can be confident in the bond it's forming with the glass, so if you need to use it ASAP, choose something with a shorter curing time.
No matter which type of adhesive you use, be sure to clean the glass first so the glue has a smooth, dirt-free surface to adhere to. Then, use a strong, easy-to-use glass glue to finish the job.
1. Fan-favorite super glue
- Strength: 3,500 PSI
- Can be bonded to: glass, wood, foam, ceramics, metal, stone
- Drying time: 2 hours
- Curing time: 24 hours
For a quick fix with long-lasting results, clear Gorilla Glue is hard to beat. The glue has an overall rating of 4.6 stars on Amazon after more than 6,500 reviews and is very popular for minor repairs. Unlike most superglues, it's waterproof and heat-resistant (can withstand temperatures from -20 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit), so you can trust its durability both indoors and out.
The formula dries clear and comes in a precision tip bottle that makes it easy to dispense what you need without the mess. This makes it perfect for repairing broken wine glasses, broken mirrors, or anything else that doesn't look good with cloudy white glue.
One reviewer said: "I purchased this product to glue an aluminum LED channel to a glass shelf. I needed it to stick and be clear. I couldn't be happier. The glue dried completely clear and the adhesion was excellent."
2. Apply strong glue
- Strength: 1,450-2,900 PSI
- Can be bonded to: glass, leather, rubber, wood, paper, ceramics, metal, plastic
- Drying time: 1-2 minutes
- Curing time: 12-24 hours
Quick fixes are easy with this brush-on superglue from Loctite. The lid has a built-in brush about the size of a nail polish applicator, making it super easy to apply a thin, even application of glue. It also dries clear and cures in as little as 12 hours, making it ideal for repairing small chips or small craft projects. It can withstand temperatures up to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, which means you can feel free to use it on surfaces that might get a little hot, but if you need to repair something like an oven, you'll want to use something more heat-resistant. It's also waterproof, so it's probably fine for outdoor use. For quick and easy fixes around the house, keep a bottle of these in your junk drawer.
One reviewer said: "This stuff works great, can be reused and doesn't have this problem. Not sure why they didn't come up with this originally. After trying multiple other types of glue, I glued the ears on On a bunny figurine, this stuff holds up really well and dries almost immediately."
3. Affordable silicone glue
- Strength: Over 218 PSI
- Can be bonded to: glass, plastic, metal, fabric
- Drying time: 1 hour
- Curing time: 24 hours
For a low-cost solution for repairs or projects around the house, this Permatex 80050 silicone adhesive is your best choice. It's incredibly waterproof and moisture-resistant, and can withstand temperatures as low as -75 degrees Fahrenheit or as high as 400 degrees Fahrenheit, so it's safe for use outdoors or indoors. If you need to seal small cracks in your exterior windows to stop drafts from entering the house, this should do the trick. If you don't need individual 3-ounce containers, Permatex also sells the adhesive in 11-ounce caulk boxes (also available in 12-packs) or 7.25-ounce cans (also available in 6-packs). ).
One reviewer said : "It worked great. I was moving out of my home and hired a professional cleaner and he accidentally broke an antique glass light fixture. It was in pieces. I wanted to save on my deposit so I ended up using this thing to stick it together and it started to hold up pretty well after about ten minutes and this thing saved my deposit.”
4. Silicone adhesive with 4 precision applicator tips
- Strength: 3,500 PSI
- Can be bonded to: glass, stones, gems, crystals, beads, metal
- Drying time: 20 minutes
- Curing time: 1-3 days
E6000's jewelry and bead adhesive is specially formulated for jewelry making and other small craft projects. As such, it comes with four small metal applicator tips that make it easy to dispense tiny beads of glue exactly where you need them and nowhere else. This also makes minor repairs a breeze. Because it's for jewelry, the adhesive dries completely clear and creates a bond strong enough to withstand regular handling (since jewelry is meant to be worn after all). Because it's silicone-based, it's also waterproof, so it can be used on outdoor projects or objects that are frequently exposed to water. The glue can also withstand temperatures between -40 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit, making it super versatile when it comes to heat exposure. Buy in packs of one, two, six or 10.
One reviewer said : "I use E6000 for my craft projects. I love the quality and long-lasting adhesion the E6000 provides. Detailed tips lead to less mess and better project completion!"
5. A large tube of silicone adhesive
- Strength: 350 PSI
- Can be bonded to: glass, aluminum, acrylic, marble, metal, wood, plastic, porcelain, PVC, steel
- Drying time: approx. 10 minutes
- Curing time: 24 hours
Formulated specifically for aquariums, this ASI clear silicone adhesive creates a waterproof, mildew-resistant, and heat-resistant (-80 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit) bond, making it ideal for outdoor projects. Each tube contains 10.2 ounces of adhesive, providing plenty of glue for large projects. It has an easy-to-use applicator tip that gets the glue right where you need it, doesn't run or sag on vertical surfaces, and dries completely (and comes in black if you prefer). Plus, it's suitable for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums, so you know it can withstand a lot of water and salt exposure. If you do plan on using it on your aquarium, you should know that it is non-toxic to fish when it is fully cured.
One reviewer said: “Used this for a glass overflow for our new tank and it was really easy to use. It dried easily and the smell wasn’t that bad. Had a great curing time. The glass we installed looks great It's very sturdy and securely attached to the tank. ”
6. Easy-to-use epoxy adhesive
- Strength: 2,300 PSI
- Can be bonded to: glass, wood, ceramics, concrete, metal
- Drying time: 1 hour
- Curing time: 24 hours
The innovative dual-syringe design of this PC Products epoxy adhesive makes typically messy epoxies easy to prepare and apply. The dual syringe design keeps epoxy resin and hardener in separate tubes so they only mix as you dispense. Since epoxy starts to harden the moment you mix it with the hardener, being able to keep them separate until the very last moment is a huge benefit, giving you more time to work with the glue. This also means you don’t have to worry about batches of items being too big or too small. You just push out the amount you need.
Waterproof epoxy dries clear in just 1 hour but takes 24 hours to cure and is heat resistant from -20 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, it is a handy glue for those heavier and more difficult jobs. The syringe only holds 1 ounce of product, which may not be enough for larger projects, but Amazon reviewers report that a little goes a long way thanks to the epoxy's super-strong holding power.
One reviewer said: "It worked better than I expected. I used it on a broken glass pipe and it immediately bonded the pieces of glass together. After 24 hours, it was completely dry and stable"
7. Bulk Epoxy Resin Kits for Larger Jobs
- Strength: 8,000 PSI
- Bonds: glass, wood, fiberglass, composite fabrics, aluminum, steel, lead
- Drying time: 3 hours
- Curing time: 1-4 days
If you need an extra strong, durable epoxy in large enough quantities to handle larger jobs, the TotalBoat 2:1 Epoxy Kit is a great choice, with a PSI of up to 8,000. With a total of 1 gallon of epoxy resin and hardener, plus a mixing bucket, gloves, and other gear needed to mix and apply a batch of epoxy, it has everything you need to complete your project. The resin and hardener tanks come with metering pumps, so you only need one pump per tank to pump out the correct ratio of two parts epoxy to one part hardener. While everything in this kit is larger, the water bottle stores well so you don't have to use everything in it at once.
I've linked to a medium recipe for this epoxy, but it also comes in fast and slow recipes. The fast, slow, and medium labels refer to how quickly the epoxy begins to harden (and cure) after being mixed. If you're doing a quick fix, the Quick Formula will ensure your project is dry and ready for use as quickly as possible, as it dries in two hours and cures in two days. However, if you know you'll need a lot of working time to spread and even out the epoxy until it's just right, the slow formula gives you the longest working time before it hardens (five hours to dry and five days to cure), while the medium The quick formula gives you the longest working time (five hours to dry, five days to cure). The formula is somewhere in the middle, with a drying time of 3 hours and a cure time of 3.5 days. No matter which formula you choose, this epoxy is ultra-strength, water-resistant, food-safe, heat-resistant up to 126 degrees Fahrenheit, and dries to a beautiful glassy sheen. If you need more or less than 1 gallon of epoxy resin, you can also purchase epoxy resin in pint, quart, or 2-gallon sizes.
According to one reviewer : “This is my first time doing fiberglass repair. Using this product has made my chores easy. The package comes with a pump and the instructions state what each pump should go into the container provided Quantity is very simple.”
