What is the best glue for aluminum?

Aluminum can be a tricky material to find a good adhesive for. But, there are several adhesives that are the very best for gluing aluminum. So what are they? Let’s find out together.

Table of Contents

Bestseller No. 1
J-B Weld 8276 KwikWeld Quick Setting Steel Reinforced Epoxy - Dark Grey 2 oz
  • J-B Weld Kwikweld: A Fast Setting Version Of The Original Cold Weld Two-Part Epoxy System That Provides Strong, Lasting Repairs To Multiple Surfaces. Perfect For Diy Household, Automotive, Marine, Craft Repair And Much More
  • Cure And Set Time: After Mixing The Tubes At A 1: 1 Ratio, It Takes 6 Minutes To Set And 4-6 Hours To Cure. Once Cured, Kwikweld Can Be Tapped, Filled, Sanded, Molded And Drilled. Kwikweld’S Set And Cure Color Is Dark Grey
  • Versatile And Dependable: J-B Weld Kwikweld Is Steel Reinforced, Has A Tensile Strength Of 3127 Psi And Can Withstand Temperatures Up To 230 Degrees Fahrenheit (110 Degrees Celsius). When Fully Cured, Kwikweld Is Waterproof And Resistant To Petroleum, Chemical And Acid
  • Surface Applications: Metal, Plastic & Pvc, Wood, Concrete, Ceramic & Tile, Fiberglass And More
Bestseller No. 2
Loctite Super Glue Ultra Gel Control, Clear Superglue for Plastic, Wood, Metal, Crafts, & Repair, Cyanoacrylate Adhesive Instant Glue, Quick Dry - 0.14 fl oz Bottle, Pack of 1
  • Rubber Toughened: Loctite’s most durable cyanoacrylate super glue formula resists water, impact, shock, vibration for materials subject to daily use and harsh conditions
  • No Drip or Run: No-mess formula is ideal for vertical applications and does not drip or run
  • Maximum Control: Features a patented easy side-squeeze bottle design for Maximum control and pinpoint accuracy and application
  • Versatile: Works well on a variety of porous and non-porous surfaces including leather, china, wood, rubber, metal, paper, ceramic, hard plastics and more
  • Invisible Repairs: Super glue gel formula sets without clamping and dries transparent for office, home, hobby, and crafting projects
Bestseller No. 3
J-B Weld 33120H SuperWeld Glue - Clear Super Glue - 20g
  • Super Strong: Superweld Is A Specially Formulated Cyanoacrylate Super Glue That Provides A Strong, Instant Bond In Just Seconds. It Works On Multiple And Hard To Bond Surfaces
  • What The Professionals Use: Builders, Mechanics & Repair Pros Know Our Products Bond Strong To A Variety Of Surfaces In Even The Toughest Environments. Choose The Product Pros Trust For Your Project
  • Easy To Use: The Applicator Allows You To Pinpoint The Smallest Spot And Apply Evenly For Any Surface Application. Bonds In Seconds For All Your Projects
  • For All Household Superglue Needs: Clear Superweld Glue Is Ideal For China And Glass Items, Auto Accessories, Rubber, Plastic, Vinyl, Cloth, Metal, Rearview Mirrors, And Much More
Bestseller No. 4
Permatex 84109 PermaPoxy 4 Minute Multi-Metal Epoxy, 0.84 oz. , Grey
  • Versatile, easy-to-use, multi-metal dark grey epoxy adhesive that eliminates the need for welding or brazing
  • Water and solvent resistant epoxy sets in 4 minutes with no clamping needed; permanent strength up to 4500 PSI
  • Fills gaps and will not shrink; when cured can be drilled, sanded, threaded or filed
  • Temperature Range: -60°F to 300°F (-51°C to 149°C)
  • Suggested Applications: Ideal for complex, multi-piece assemblies; bonds rigid materials including aluminum, brass, chrome, copper, iron, stainless steel, and steel; use to seal welded seams, fill metal cracks, and mount metal components
SaleBestseller No. 5
Premium Grade Cyanoacrylate (CA) Super Glue by STARBOND"Gap Filler" Thick 2000 CPS Viscosity Adhesive for Carpentry, Woodworking, Hobby Models, Archery Fletching (Thick, 2 Ounce)
  • ✅ PREMIUM SUPER GLUE, SINCE 1988: For over 33 years, Starbond CA glues have been produced in smaller batch productions for product freshness. We take pride in serving industrial-grade cyanoacrylate adhesives with a longer shelf life and more reliable performance.
  • ✅ GLUE LIKE A PRO: Great for gap-filling applications, woodworking, carpentry, and woodturning bonding applications that require adequate positioning time to get parts into place before the glue sets. Pair with Starbond accelerator for an instant bond!
  • ✅ ELEVATE YOUR GLUE GAME: With your success in mind, we partnered with industry experts to produce CA glue tips and tricks video tutorials for you — scan the QR code on the backside of the bottle using your phone for pro tips!
  • ✅ PRODUCT SPECS: Filling capabilities of up to 0.01-0.02" in size, 2000 cps viscosity, and thickness of the liquid comparable to that of honey. Avoid using on low surface energy material such as polyethylene and polypropylene plastics, and silicone. To surface prep hard-to-bond material, use an abrasive to roughen up the mating surface when bonding smooth surfaces!
  • ✅ SATISFACTION GUARANTEED: We offer a 30-month Shelf Life Warranty for glues stored under 40°F. If you are not satisfied with the performance of our product, we will provide a 100% refund or replacement.
Adhesives are not always the strongest way to bond aluminum to aluminum, that will always be bolts or welding, but it’s not always possible to use those options, especially when it comes to repairs. That’s why J-B Weld Professional Size Steel Reinforced Epoxy is the best glue for aluminum to aluminum applications. It is a 2 part epoxy that is specifically designed to be a replacement for torch welding. Its bond is super strong and you would think that it would take a long while for an epoxy like that to dry, but it only takes 4-5 hours to set and just 16-24 hours to fully cure.

Best Glue for Aluminum Boats

Aluminum boats are a favorite of casual fishermen and lake goers alike. They are cheap, durable, and reliable. But should your aluminum boast spring a leak, the best adhesive for the job is the 3M Marine Adhesive Sealant. 3M Marine Adhesive Sealant is the best adhesive for aluminum boats because it can work both inside and outside the boat effortlessly. It is completely waterproof and can be fully submerged in either salt or freshwater and still hold its bond strong.

How to Seal a Leak in an Aluminum Boat

Best Glue for Aluminum to Wood

Gluing aluminum to wood can be a bit tricky as it requires something extra strong for the job. That is why Gorilla 2 Part Epoxy is the perfect adhesive for a job. It sets in just 5 minutes and creates one of the most durable bonds of any adhesive on the market.

Best Glue for Aluminum to Plastic

As aluminum and glass are both fairly non-porous surfaces, they require a strong bond, but things don’t have to get super complicated. The best adhesive for gluing aluminum to plastic is Gorilla Super Glue Gel. Simple and cheap, Gorilla Super Glue Gel sets in just a few seconds and offers a long-lasting bond that can compete with some industrial adhesives.
The best overall glue for aluminum is J-B Weld Steel Reinforced Epoxy. The best adhesive for aluminum boats is the 3M Marine Adhesive Sealant 5200. The best glue for aluminum to wood is Gorilla 2 Part Epoxy. And the best glue for aluminum to plastic is Gorilla Super Glue Gel.
Yes, an epoxy adhesive will work wonderfully for bonding aluminum to aluminum. However, the strongest way to bond aluminum to aluminum is through welding.
Yes, Gorilla Super Glue Gel is, well, a gel and is therefore very thick and is the perfect adhesive for applying vertically.
It will only take Gorilla 2 Part Epoxy approximately 5 minutes to set enough for you to be able to continue on with your project. No need to leave it completely for a day after application.
It is best to avoid using J-B Weld Steel Reinforced Epoxy to fix leaks in aluminum boats as it is not designed for marine use. However, for fixed on board an aluminum boat it will work great.
Yes, 3M Marine Adhesive Sealant 5200 is absolutely paintable. Once you have let it cure for a full 48 hours you can paint it to whatever color you feel like.

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