Best Glue for Glass Repair in 2023 | Top 8 Picks by An Expert

Ah! It's a sunny day. You wake up early and go to the kitchen for a nice breakfast. As soon as you enter the kitchen, you see that there's broken glass all over the floor. Your cat may have 9 lives, but your precious glass flower vase does not.

Heartbroken, you clean up all the mess and search for another glass vase online. But, wait! What if we told you that you don't have to buy another one? Yes, you can repair the broken glass vase with glue.

Upon hearing this, You rush to your local store and buy glue. You try to glue the broken pieces together but fail miserably. If you want to repair glass, you need glue specifically made for glass repair.

 After spending hours, we have rounded up some of the best glue for glass repair. Without further ado, let's take a look at them.

Top 8 Best glue for glass repair Reviews in 2023

From liquid to gel to epoxy glue, we gathered the best glue from every category so that you can have the flexibility to choose whatever you want.

Before settling down for one, read the reviews carefully, and select the one that fits your taste the most.

1. Loctite Heavy Duty Glass Glue Tube

If you want to repair glass flower vases or glass mugs, you'll have to get glue that can resist water. Lots of glue can perform very well normally, but everything falls apart when they come in contact with water.

The Loctite glass glue can provide a strong bond and keep the structural integrity good in all conditions due to its high resistance. Let it be water, high or low temperature; Loctite will keep your glass object intact.

Unlike other glass glue, Loctite dries clear. This will help you mask the broken glass and make it look like it was never broken in the first place. Even after a year, the glue does not turn yellowish.

Now let's address the elephant in the room. Loctite glass glue only works well when used 18 months from the manufactured date.

If it sits on the shelf for more than that, it will be ineffective. Always make sure to check the date before usage.

The best thing about this glue is that it works magnificently with non-porous metal to plastic and glass.

It dries within a few minutes, so you won't have to hold the pieces together for long. Well, now you know why Loctite is "amazon's choice" for glass glue.

Highlighted features:

• It's a moisture-resistant glue, which means it can withstand water.
• Can bond well with glass, non-porous metal, and plastic.
• Dries to touch within minutes.
• Dries clear and does not yellow over time.
• Can withstand high temperatures and is dishwasher safe.

2. Gorilla Super Glue Gel

People who have tried repairing vertical glasses or glasses placed on vertical surfaces know how difficult it is to work with liquid glue.

It may drip or slide off before drying as the liquid is thin. This is why you need something thicker, and Gorilla is here to save your day.

The Gorilla super glue is a gel-type glue. It won't slide down or drip when applying it on a vertical surface. The fact that it dries within 10 seconds to a minute makes it even better for horizontal and vertical surfaces alike.

Every glue works wonders for the first time, but as you keep it stored for days or weeks, it dries out, or at least there's a chance of drying out.

Well, not this time. The Gorilla super glue gel has an anti-clog cap that prevents the gel from drying even after being stored for months.

We noticed one strange thing, though. If you use too much glue, it has a cloudy effect far from "dries clear." So if you are using it on crystal clear glass, use as little as you can. It's not a big issue, but still.

With its anti-dry and clog-resistant cap, and its ability to bond together virtually everything like ceramic, wood, metal, and plastic, the Gorilla super glue gel is hands down the best glass repair glue.

Highlighted features:

• Superb cap that keeps the glue from drying even after months of storing.
• Bonds to glass, metal, wood, ceramic, and plastic.
• Dries within 10 seconds to 1 minute.
• Excellent for repairing vertical objects.
• Resistant against impacts or hits.

3. Elmer's E1012 China & Glass Glue

Suppose you have to repair the tempered glass lid of your cooking pan or stockpot. When repairing cookware, you have to also consider that these things will go inside the dishwasher.

This is why you have to buy glue that is dishwasher safe. If not, the structural integrity will be compromised when you put the cookware inside the dishwasher.

The Elmer's E1012 is dishwasher safe, which means it will be great for repairing glass cookware.

The glue is non-toxic, so that you can use it on coffee mugs or drinking water glasses. It bonds well with glass (obviously), ceramics, and pottery.

However, the only problem we found was the drying time. It takes a lot of time to dry and remains tacky until the end.

To bond something together, you have to either hold them using your hands or use clamps. This can get frustrating.

If the drying time is not a problem, you'll be amazed at how well it bonds with glass and other materials. It dries very clear with a soft shine on the surface. Perfect for both indoor and outdoor glass repairs.

If you have a short patience, we recommend staying away from this glue. But, if you are okay with the long drying time, Elmer's E1012 glue will be a fantastic choice for repairing glass.

Highlighted features:

• The glue is dishwasher safe.
• It can be used to repair food utensils as it's non-toxic.
• Bonds best with glass, ceramics, and Miniatures.
• It can be used for both indoor and outdoor glass repairs.
• It does not leave any yellow tint after drying.

4. Gorilla 4500104 Clear Glue for Fixing Glass

We can't list the best glue for glass repair and not include glue(s) from this brand. Gorilla has been the top glue manufacturer for a long time due to its easy-to-use formula that bonds to virtually anything.

Like all the previous gorilla glue, this one lives up to the brand's reputation. The clear glue dries clear, leaving no repair mark on clear glasses. It also does not discolor over time. The clearness will always remain the same.

As we said initially, it virtually bonds to anything, including glass, wood, ceramic, metal, stone, and foam. It's also waterproof, so you can use it for both indoor and outdoor glass repairs.

The difference between this and the Gorilla super glue gel is that this hybrid glue requires clamping.

You have to clamp or somehow hold the broken pieces together for at least two hours. However, The super glue gel is a cyanoacrylate type adhesive that does not require clamping.

This is the only downside of clear gorilla glue. It requires clamping and takes a lot of time to dry. You have to find a way to hold the pieces together until the glue bonds.

Once you are finished going through the hassle of clamping, this stuff is phenomenally strong, no joke. So this is a trade-off. If you want immense strength, you have to be patient.

Highlighted features

• Dries crystal clear and does not discolor over time.
• Bonds to glass, foam, metal, wood, ceramic, and stone.
• It's water-resistant, so it can be used both indoors and outdoors.
• Forms a super-strong bond once it dries.

5. CAT PALM Multi Function Paste Glues

When people talk about glue for glass, they automatically assume it's for a broken flower vase or a mug.

But, what if you wanted to install a new phone screen (which is also glass) or repair a phone? We got just the right adhesive for you.

This goes in like a clear thin gel, and after curing/drying, the adhesive looks and feels similar to a silicone or hot glue. You can bond foam, rubber, fiber, jewelry, and even electrical components thanks to its flexibility.

The best thing about this glue is that it is semi-flexible. This means if you apply a lot of heat to it, it will melt.

This is perfect for people who want to repair electronics as those things require disassembly quite often. If you apply permanent glue, you won't disassemble your components.

CAT PALM is also the first glue on this list that is safe to touch. Unlike other glue that sticks to your hands and refuses to leave you, this glue can be cleaned right away using water.

However, the only problem is that it takes a lot of time to dry. Like the Gorilla clear glue, you have to hold the pieces together or clamp them until the glue dries.

Suppose clamping is not a big deal to you; in that case, the CAT PALM adhesive will be one of the best adhesives for repairing glass, making jewelry, and fixing electronics.

Highlighted features:

• Great for glass, rubber, paper, foam, and electrical components.
• It is safe to touch.
• Flexible enough to be melted at a high temperature.
• Needle cap design that prevents clogging or drying.

6. PC Products Clear Epoxy Adhesive Liquid

Fast-drying glue(s) are great. But the problem with these glue(s) is that you can't readjust the placement of your broken pieces of glass.

Not everyone has super-accurate hands. If you are off even for a micro inch, you can't readjust with fast-drying glue.

The Pc clear epoxy adhesive provides you approximately 4 to 5 minutes of work time to readjust the pieces. This time duration should be enough to repair your broken glass just like how it was.

Now let's address the biggest difference between this adhesive and the rest in this list. The Pc clear adhesive comes in two syringes.

You have to mix the two syringes in a 1:1 ratio for the glue to work and then apply it. It won't work unless you mix them properly.

As it is not a fast-drying epoxy glue, you have to hold or clamp the pieces together for at least an hour. It takes 24 hours to cure fully. Yes, the drying/curing time is too much, but the result is worth the wait.

Once the glue dries fully, it can withstand from -20 degrees F to 200 degrees F. This makes it perfect for any condition.

It does not end there. The glue is also resistant against mild chemicals, including acids, gasoline, salt, oil, and freshwater. The award for the most durable adhesive goes to PC clear.

Highlighted features

• Bonds to metal, glass, ceramic, concrete, and fabric.
• Can withstand temperatures from -20 degrees F to 200 degrees F.
• Resistant against mild chemicals.
• Provides a 4 minute working time.
• Dries crystal clear.

7. Pratley Quickset Clear Epoxy Glue

Not every glue has to have revolutionary features. Not every glue has to be better than the previous. Sometimes all you need is a good holding capability, and that's what Pratley is all about.

Like all the other epoxy glues, you will get two tubes/packs. One is a resin, and the other is a hardener.

For the glue to work properly, you'll have to mix these two tubes equally. After applying the epoxy, you'll have to wait 24 to 48 hours for it to dry fully.

As it's a clear dry glue, it will not be visible after drying. This makes it perfect for repairing glass ornaments where the adhesive should not be visible.

Like all the other epoxy glues, this one has the same problem. You'll have to hold the pieces together or clamp them until it fully dries. And it is also difficult to use neatly. Not recommended to use on small items.

The bonding capability makes up for the slow dry time, though. Once it dries, it will hold anything. Speaking of which, it can bond to normal glass, fiberglass, concrete, ceramics, stone, and metal.

So, if you are looking for affordable epoxy glue and don't have any problem waiting 24 to 48 hours to dry, the Pratley clear epoxy will do your job pretty fine.

Highlighted features:

• Bonds well with glass, fiberglass, metal, concrete, and ceramics.
• The glue is invisible once it dries.
• Takes 24 to 48 hours to cure/dry fully.
• Has a great holding capability.

8. Permatex Clear RTV Silicone Adhesive

Having a review about the finest glass repairing glue and not having a silicone adhesive on the list is impossible.

Glass and silicone are like best friends. So, is the Permatex silicone adhesive worth your money? Let's find out.

The first thing we noticed about the permatex silicone is its immense capability of withstanding temperature.

Once the silicone cures/dries properly, it can withstand from -75 degrees F to 400 degrees F. This makes it perfect for repairing glasses that go into ovens or dishwashers.

The durability does not end there. It is also capable of resisting water. This makes it suitable for repairing leaks or outdoor items such as windows or garden flower vases.

The silicone is semi-permanent which means you can remove it after it's dry if you ever want to re-do the repair or disassemble the items you glued together.

The only problem with this silicone adhesive is the cheap quality cap. Unlike other glue, where you can store it for many months or even years, this silicone glue cannot be stored. Because of the cheap cap, the air gets inside the tube and causes the glue to harden.

There is no doubt that the Permatex silicone adhesive bonds very strongly with glass, metal, plastic, vinyl, and fabric. Still, you should only get this glue if you don't intend to store it. Other than this, it's a 10/10 glue.

Highlighted features:

• Bonds strongly with glass, plastic, vinyl, and fabric.
• It can withstand a wide range of temperatures.
• The glue is waterproof.
• It can be used as a sealer.

Comparison Table for Glue for glass

Glue for Glass Repair Buying guide

Every glue will hold your broken pieces together very well, at least for a few weeks. But, do you repair things to last a few weeks? No!

If you want your broken glass pieces to be intact for a long time, you have to look out for a few crucial things. These will determine the quality of your glass glue.

In this section of the guide, we will shed light on those crucial aspects so that you can easily choose the perfect glue for glass repair.

Bonding to different materials

Although you intend to repair glass, you have to check whether your glue bonds to a wide variety of materials.

A glue used on different materials has a better holding capability than glue that only bonds to a single material (glass).

The rule of thumb is to check whether the glue bonds well with the following materials: glass, non-porous plastic, metal, ceramic, and fabric.

Drying or curing time

When choosing glue for glass, you'll be presented with two types of glue in terms of drying time. One is fast drying, and the second is, obviously, slow-drying glue.

The fast-drying glue is generally best for small repairs or projects. Let's say, for example, you want to repair a small glass box.

A fast-drying glue will be ideal for this task. You can finish the repair within minutes. Fast-drying glues usually dry within 40 seconds to 4 minutes.

But, if you want to repair a big and expensive glass ornament, a slow-drying glue will be perfect.

Yes, you have to clamp or somehow hold the pieces together until the glue dries, but it's worth the hassle. Slow drying usually glues fully dry within 24 to 48 hours.

Liquid vs. gel type glue

Just like the drying or curing time, there are two types of glue: liquid and gel. A liquid-type glue will be best suitable If you want to do small glass repairs. Liquid glues also dry very fast.

On the other hand, if you want to repair a glass window, door, big flower vase, stockpot lid, or similar things, you should go for gel-type glue.

This glue takes time to cure but has an immense holding capability after curing. Gel-type glue includes epoxy resin and silicone adhesive.

A quick reminder: if you want to make a glass aquarium yourself, use silicone glue. Works wonders.

Cap

This does not directly affect the bonding or holding power of the glue, but it's important nonetheless. Most of us don't buy glue every week. When we buy glue, we store it after usage.

This is where the cap of the glue shines. You can efficiently use the glue even after months if you have a good quality cap. Such caps usually have a needle or a pin inside.

On the other hand, air will come through bad quality caps, causing the glue to harden within days. Even if the glue does not harden, bad caps will give you a nightmare when re-using the glue after weeks or months.

Water, weather, and temperature resistance

If you are repairing glass cookware, your glue needs to be water, weather, and temperature resistant.

 For example, a cookware lid will sit on a stovetop or go inside an oven or dishwasher. If the glue cannot withstand water or high temperature, it will come off or lose its bonding power.

This also applies to outdoor glass repairs facing the sun, rain, and many other harsh weather conditions. If you want the repair to last, make sure the glue has what it takes.

Clear drying

Clear drying is an important thing to have, and at the same time, an optional thing as well. We are saying it's optional because it does not affect the bonding or holding power of the glue. It's only for aesthetic purposes.

If you are repairing a clear glass, such as a water glass or a flower vase, you should use clear drying glue. This is because a clear drying glue will be invisible, hiding that those things were never repaired.

 If you go for a clear drying glue, also make sure it does not discolor over time. This will do more bad than good.

Frequently Asked Question & Answers

Why isn’t my epoxy glue for glass repair working properly?

If your epoxy is not bonding properly, maybe it's because you forgot to mix the two tubes as instructed. For the epoxy to work, you have to mix the two provided tubes in a 1:1 ratio and stir it well for a few minutes.

What is the difference between glass glue and standard glue?

Both glass and standard glue have the same bonding or holding power. The main difference is that glass glue is crystal clear even after drying. On the other hand, standard glue turns yellow or discolors over time.

Should the broken glass pieces be cleaned with anything before using the glue for glass repair?

Before attempting to repair the broken glass pieces, you have to wash them, rinse them, and dry them well. Make sure there's no dust on the pieces. You can also use acetone to clean the areas before gluing.

What’s the major difference between glass gel glue and glass liquid glue?

Usually, gel glue and liquid glue have the same bonding power. The key difference is that gel glue is thicker and is more consistent. Gel glue is perfect for vertical surfaces, whereas liquid glue will drip down on vertical surfaces.

Final words

Glass items are fragile. One small accident can cause big trouble for you. Sometimes even if you want to replace the broken flower vase or a coffee mug, those things might not be available for purchase. This is why you should always have a backup.

You can always repair a broken glass item if it's not shattered into millions of pieces. To restore your glass item to its former glory, you will need glue for the glass. Well, not just any glue. You'll need the best glue for glass repair.

If you've read this far, we are pretty sure you're already an expert in buying glue for glass repair. But still, we suggest reconsidering all the crucial aspects that can make or break the deal.

Also read:

• The composition of glue - Know everything.
• What is PVA glue and when should you use it.