When it comes to adhesives, there are so many options to choose from. May it be super glue, epoxy glue, contact cement/adhesive, etc. But how do you use the right glue for your DIY project?
Let us look at a contact adhesive vs super glue comparison, what’s the difference between these two adhesives, which choice is the best one for the job, and how they are useful to you?
Contact Adhesive
- Best choice for heavy-duty bonds
- Great for indoor and outdoor projects
- Bonds work well under pressure, temperature changes, and movement once the glue dries.
- Higher strength and longevity in bonds.
Super Glue
- Bonds many surfaces and materials together, both porous and non-porous materials
- Super quick drying time
- Strong and long-lasting results
- Great type of adhesive for petty repairs and gluing together delicate surfaces
What Is Contact Cement/Adhesive?
Contact adhesives are usually adhesives that are used in projects that are larger or heavy-duty in nature. Contact adhesive makes a great choice for projects that may undergo pressure, movement, or temperature changes.
It works best and creates strong bonds on various substrates such as metal, wood, plastics, glass, and paper. It can be used for both internal and external applications and projects.
The bond formed with contact adhesive is very sturdy and long-lasting. If the surface is prepped well and done correctly, the results are impressive.
Contact adhesives are mainly made up of a mixture of neoprene rubber in a solvent base like solvent/water. The adhesive needs to be applied on both substrates evenly to be joined. Once air-dried, the bond is formed instantly and is durable and permanent.
Know More About Contact Adhesive
Contact adhesives have been quite popular in use for a long time. It is used in numerous projects big or small, from household repairs and fixes to industrial applications.
It is a super versatile and durable product that works well on varied applications and projects, big or small, indoor or outdoor.
Pointers To Use Contact Adhesive
- Read the instructions on the packaging to make sure you get the best results when using the particular contact adhesive.
- When working with contact adhesive, gloves are always suggested to protect your hands and skin from any tack or burn.
- When using contact cement/adhesive, always make sure you are working in a well-ventilated area. Contact cement may emit fumes or toxic vapors so it is important that you have access to clean air and plenty of ventilation.
- Once the bond is formed, contact adhesives usually dry quickly, thus it is important to clean up excess adhesive off surfaces or skin as it gets difficult to clean up once dried.
- If you want to store contact adhesive for later use, you should store it in a cool, dry place, with less to no humidity.
Best Contact Adhesive – Our Recommendation
3M Neoprene High-Performance Contact Adhesive 1357
Quick Specs
- Cure time: 10 minutes-24 hours
- Size: 1 Quart Can
- Base Type: Neoprene Rubber
- Color: Gray-green
- Compatible Surfaces: Metal, rubber, stainless steel, wood, aluminum.
3M Neoprene High-Performance Contact Adhesive 1357 is a high-performance laminating contact adhesive that is available in different sizes and forms such as tubes, pails/cans.
It has exceptional resistance to heat, moisture, and temperature. It is the go-to adhesive choice for heavy-duty surface laminations. It works well on porous materials as well as some non-porous substrates.
Features
- The adhesive has a quick dry time while still enabling time for positioning and adjustments of surfaces while bonding.
- One of the most flexible and multipurpose solvent-based adhesives for heavy-duty and unique surface laminations.
- Provides excellent heat and water resistance, and works well for temperatures up to 300°F/148°C.
Pros
- Temperature, pressure, and water resistant
- 3M products have over 50 years of credibility
- Versatile product that can be used on varied surfaces and across different applications
- Easy to apply composition.
- Can be easily spread using a brush or an applicator.
- High tensile strength
Cons
- It can be difficult to remove excess adhesive once dried.
Verdict
Overall, we loved 3M Neoprene High-Performance Contact Adhesive 1357 for its high-performance capabilities, and resistance to heat, pressure, and water.
We used it over a range of different applications on surfaces such as most metals and plastics, and the results were very impressive.
During clean-up, a final wipe-down with rubbing alcohol or acetone is good enough to remove excess adhesive from the surface.
What Is Super Glue?
Super glue is found in every household and is a popular adhesive for petty projects and repairs. It is well known and accredited for its fast bonding capabilities and sturdy long-lasting results, no matter the project at hand, big or small.
It is useful to bond many different types of materials and surfaces. Both porous and non-porous surfaces bond well with super glue and can be a “no-brainer” adhesive option to have at home for super quick fixes and repairs.
Know More About Super Glue
Super glue is usually considered an all-purpose glue and sealer that is waterproof, resistant to heat and chemicals as well as can withstand temperature changes or weather conditions that form a strong bond with surfaces.
Let us now see a few tips on how to use this versatile glue in different applications. And popular brands include Gorilla glue, other polyurethane glue, fabric glue, two-part epoxy, wood glue, and carpenter’s glue.
Pointers To Use Super Glue
- Super glue is a great option for gluing small surfaces together. The bond is instantaneous and sturdy. A small amount of glue can go a long way for such repairs and fixes on delicate pieces.
- Super glue can be used on non-porous substrates too. It works well on metal, glass, plastic, etc, and is well-known for its sturdy bond.
- Some super glues do well with vibrations, and movement and create flexible bonds that do not break off.
- It is not a food-safe adhesive, thus it is advisable to avoid using superglue on surfaces that come in direct contact with food or drinks.
- Some types of superglue may not work on surfaces like paper or fabric. It is advisable to check the packaging to see the compatibility of surfaces.
Best Super Glue – Our Recommendation
Super Glue T-FA12 Fix-All Adhesive
Quick Specs
- Cure time: Instantaneous
- Size: 0.64 ounces
- Base Type: Solvent glue and sealer
- Color: Clear
- Compatible Surfaces: Metal, ceramic, fabric, brick, rubber, canvas, leather, concrete, wood, and plastic.
Super Glue T-FA12 Fix-All Adhesive is excellent for petty projects and quick fixes. It works efficiently on a multitude of surfaces and applications.
The adhesive bonds are sturdy and durable. It has a quick setting time and the bonds are almost instantaneous.
It also works great on uneven surfaces and unique surface combinations, both porous and non-porous substrates. It is also able to withstand high temperatures.
Features
- Quick drying time
- Bonds to different surfaces such as wood, plastic, metal, leather, etc
- Great choice for repairs/tears and helps fill cracks and wedges efficiently.
- An all-purpose solvent glue and sealer that can handle subtle vibrations/flexing over time
- Bonds will not crack or break under pressure and forms a waterproof bond
Pros
- Waterproof, weather and heat resistant
- Fast drying and curing process
- Easy to use
- Once dried, the excess glue can be peeled off easily off the surface/skin
Cons
- Quick setting time so you need to act fast.
Verdict
This is an excellent option for any project, from shoe repair and DIY crafts to heavy-duty metal bonding, it can help bond various different substrates with a quick setting time of a few minutes. This multi-utility glue is a household name and lives up to its reputation.
Contact Adhesive vs Super Glue- When To Use The Different Types of Adhesives?
If you are working on a larger project, we recommend using a contact adhesive. Contact adhesive is a good choice for many industrial applications if you are dealing with non-porous or porous substrates like metal, wood, plastic, and glass.
It is also a preferred choice for industrial applications as it is resistant to chemicals and heat. They may emit fumes or be inflammable, so take all the necessary precautions.
It is advised to apply the contact adhesive to both surfaces and press them together to create a sturdy bond.
Super glue can be used for literally anything and bonds all types of materials and surfaces efficiently. It also does a great job of bonding unique surface combinations.
It can be kept handy at home or job to fix and repair small surfaces and projects. The fast setting time and strength of bond are a bonus for quick jobs on the go.
Is Contact Adhesive Stronger Than Super Glue?
Contact adhesive can be considered more robust than superglue in cases where you are dealing with a larger surface. The bond formed by construction adhesive is also much stronger than that of superglue.
Some super adhesives can also be stronger than construction adhesives if the project at hand is not massive and does not need too much strength and flexibility for the inconspicuous area.
FAQS- Contact Adhesive vs Super Glue
Is contact adhesive better than super glue?
In general, contact adhesive is a better choice if the surface in question is subjected to pressure or is a larger project. Super Glue is usually used in smaller doses and is meant to bond smaller and delicate surfaces.
Which material is super glue not compatible with?
In general, surfaces like plastic or products made from polyethylene are usually not that compatible with superglue. In addition, cyanoacrylate super glue also does not adhere to wet moisture prone surfaces.
What is the striking difference between glue and adhesive?
Adhesives of any kind are usually man-made or synthetic in nature. Whereas, glue is derived from some sort of natural sources such as animal hide glue or plant glue. In general terms, both terms are used interchangeably and depict the same feature of bonding two surfaces together.
Is superglue the strongest adhesive?
Super glue is considered to be a fast-setting and strong adhesive for petty projects and repairs. The bonds formed between surfaces are durable and sturdy.
How to apply contact adhesive?
Contact adhesive/cement can be applied on surfaces using a spray, brush, or applicator to get an even coat of adhesive on the surface. The glue should be applied on both sides of the surface and pressed into place. This will help to ensure the bonding is strong and well-formed.
Contact Adhesive Vs Super Glue – The Final Verdict
Which types of glue you will choose to use one of the two adhesive options will depend on the project at hand and the fact that you are dealing with similar or dissimilar surfaces. Consider super glue to bond unique and dissimilar surfaces. Contact adhesive is a good choice for bonding similar applications and substrates.
Hi! I’m Anthony. I have been doing a lot of DIY stuff. I am passionate about helping others learn about DIY and tools. I hope my website will help people save money by teaching them to do their own DIY projects. Thanks for reading!