Learning how to glue metal to plastic is simple with the right glue and guide! Learn the best adhesives for small and large jobs. We’ll have your plastic and metal parts secure in no time!
Plastics are the most difficult materials to glue. Their chemical composition make it difficult for standard adhesives to grab onto. Finding a compatible adhesive can be tricky! The good news is there’s hope for your plastics project! If you need to glue metal to plastic, we do have options. Here’s a breakdown of the best adhesives for use on these stubborn materials.
Pattex Extreme Repair All Purpose Glue delivers superior performance on a variety of items including metal and plastic. It’s UV resistant, waterproof and flexible making it perfect for repair work and modeling around the house.
Prepare the surfaces with sandpaper to ensure a good bond
In addition to common materials like wood, fabric, concrete, glass, tiles, ceramic and more, this adhesive is also compatible with various metals and plastics. Here’s a quick breakdown of the different metals and plastics that can be glued with this diverse adhesive.
- Aluminum
- Stainless Steel
- Copper
- Brass
- Steel
- Zinc
- Rigid Polystyrol
- Rigid PVC
- Polycarbonate
- Polystyrene foam
- ABS
- GFP
Not compatible with Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP) and Polytetrafluoro-ethy.
If you’re working on heavy duty projects with PVC or other plastics, metals or aluminum, Pattex No More Nails Interior & Exterior is the perfect choice. This premium adhesive is ideal for indoor or outdoor applications, has a high initial tack, works with porous and non-porous surfaces and won’t shrink or weather with time. It’s Flextec technology makes it ultra-flexible and gap bridging, which is a helpful feature when sticking metal to plastic.
If you need a tough and durable hold on plastic and metal building components, Pattex No More Nails Interior & Exterior is the product for you. Before you get started on your project, gather your supplies so you don’t find yourself stuck without something critical.
Here’s what you need to glue metal to plastic with an adhesive caulk:
- Caulk gun
- Pattex No More Nails Interior & Exterior
- Box cutter
- Cleaning solvent and rag
- Sandpaper
- Job specific support clamps
- Optional: gloves and other protective gear
Mark where the metal frame should rest on the tabletop and connect the two parts: Only a special adhesive for plastic and metal remains permanently strong
Now that you have what you need, here’s how to glue metal to plastic using this heavy-duty project adhesive.
- Roughen the smooth plastic surface with sandpaper. This helps create grip and improve adhesion.
- Clean and dry the surfaces. Remove all dust, debris, and grime from the surfaces and dry well.
- Pre-fit the pieces and plan where the adhesive will go. All parts to be attached must fit tightly.
- Cut off the tip of the cartridge above the screw thread.
- Screw on the applicator nozzle and cut the tip of the nozzle with the box cutter at the appropriate place to achieve the desired bead size.
- Load the cartridge into the caulk gun.
- Apply the adhesive to one of the surfaces. The adhesive can be applied in dots, waves or strands depending on the application needs. See product instructions for more details.
- Stick the metal to the plastic and hold both pieces firmly in place.
- Clamp or support heavy items for 24 hours. The area can be painted after it is fully cured.
- Clean tools immediately with a dry cloth. For stubborn spots, use chemical solvents like alcohol or cleaning petrol, do not use water. Fully cured adhesive can be removed mechanically with an appropriate scraping tool.
You’re all set! Now that you know how to bond metal to plastic, you can gather your tools and get to work!
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