Nylon is a popular material found in many different industries, and it is a common material found in the craft sector too.
Known for its durability and strength, you might be wanting to use nylon in your next project, but the one common issue that people share when using nylon is getting it to stick.
What are the best glues for nylon? The best glue for nylon will depend on what you are sticking the nylon to, but generally, a superglue, polyurethane glue, or a plastic bonder type glue would be best. You would first need to know what you are adhering the nylon to before deciding on the best glue to use.
You would want to make sure the glue you are using will bond the nylon properly to the right surface, and this does require some planning! Keep reading to find out how to choose the best glue for nylon and our top recommendations on the market.
Why Is Nylon Difficult To Glue?
Nylon is a thermoplastic material, which means that when it is heated and cooled, it hardens to form nylon. It is used in many different industries such as making outdoor equipment, crafting, machinery, and even clothing. It is water and heat-resistant, ticking many boxes.
As nylon is hydrophobic and it repels water, it can be difficult to find the right type of glue to adhere it to a surface. You might find the right glue to use to bond nylon and wood, but this would not work to bond nylon and metal.
So, finding the right glue to use for nylon really does depend on the material you are adhering it to, and what works for one nylon project won’t work for another.
How To Choose The Best Glue For Nylon
You cannot just pick out the glue sitting in your craft kit to glue nylon to another surface, and you do need to pick out the best glue for your specific project if you want the bond to last.
Here are the different things you need to consider when picking out the best glue for nylon:
Type Of Surface
As mentioned, the glue you choose needs to be suited to bond the nylon to a certain surface. A nylon to wood project will require different glue from a nylon to metal project, and so on.
As nylon is difficult enough to bond to on its own, the glue you use needs to be able to bond to the other surface too, and this can sometimes take some preparation.
If you have a few different surfaces to adhere nylon to, then you would need to have a few different glue options to use for each.
Indoors Or Outdoors
Nylon is considered water-resistant, and this means it is a good option to use outdoors, and it is popularly used for outdoor equipment.
When using nylon outdoors, make sure that the glue you are using is waterproof too, and that it will stand up to the elements. Some glue options are not water-resistant and might weaken when placed outdoors.
If the nylon is going to be indoors, this isn’t a necessity, as long as the nylon and the glue are not going to be exposed to any moisture.
Permanent Bond
Consider if the bond needs to be permanent or not. Some glues offer a permanent bond that cannot be broken, and others are not as strong and are temporary.
Not all projects need strong permanent bonds, and these glues can also be too strong for the other surface you are bonding the nylon to.
Drying Time
The different glue types have different drying times, so make sure that this fits in with what you are wanting to do. Some glues take hours, and even days, to dry and need to be clamped down and left to cure. Others dry almost instantly, so try and pick one out that suits your project best.
Ease Of Use
The glue should be easy enough to use. You don’t want to have to fiddle with the glue too much just to prepare it for adhering. The different types of glue for nylon are applied in various ways, but this is something to consider to make your project a little easier.
The Best Glues For Nylon
With all the factors that you need to keep in mind when picking out the best glue to use for your nylon project, take a look at our below recommendations.
Rank | Product | Key Features |
---|---|---|
1. | J-B Weld Plastic Bonder Structural Adhesive | Best for nylon to nylon, two-part adhesive in one syringe, quick setting |
2. | Loctite Super Glue Ultra Gel Control | Best for nylon to metal, quick-drying, dries clear |
3. | E6000 Craft Adhesive | Best for nylon fabric does not dry rigid, machine-washable |
4. | Gorilla Glue Original Polyurethane Glue | Good for nylon to metal, strong bond, weather, and temperature resistant |
5. | Elmer's Carpenters Glue | Best for nylon to wood, non-toxic, resistant to heat |
6. | Gorilla Dual Temp Mini Hot Glue Gun | Good for nylon to nylon, dual temperature setting, water, and impact-proof |
7. | Professional Grade Super Glue | Good for nylon to nylon or nylon to wood, industrial-strength, quick-setting |
1. J-B Weld Plastic Bonder Structural Adhesive
The J-B Weld Plastic Bonder Structural Adhesive is the best option for gluing nylon to nylon. It is a multi-purpose plastic bonder that creates an incredibly strong bond between materials, and it works especially well when used to bond thermoplastics such as nylon.
This glue comes in two parts that need to be mixed together to be activated, but this is made really easy as both parts are in a syringe, and the two parts can be mixed together in the special mixing tray included.
You can use as much as you need, remove it from the bottom of the syringe, and save the rest for another project, with the sealable cap that prevents the remaining mix from drying out or leaking.
The glue is quick setting, only taking 15 minutes to set and 30 hours to cure completely. For nylon to nylon, this is the best option, and you will get multiple uses out of the one syringe alone.
2. Loctite Super Glue Ultra Gel Control
The Loctite Super Glue Ultra Gel Control is the best option when bonding nylon and metal. However, you will have to use J-B Weld Plastic Bonder on the nylon first, and then use the Loctite Super Glue to bond the metal to the prepared nylon surface.
This glue can be used to bond wood, ceramic, leather, plastic, metal, and rubber, but as nylon is a thermoplastic and as it has a slightly oily surface, preparing it with the J-B Weld glue helps the bond be stronger.
A side-squeeze design of the tube ensures maximum control and allows you to only dispense as much as you need for the project.
The special rubber toughened formula allows the glue to stand up to extreme temperature, shock, and vibration. It is also suited for vertical and horizontal bonds.
When dry, the glue is clear, and there is no clamping required to set or dry the glue, making it ideal for quick gluing projects.
3. E6000 Craft Adhesive
E6000 Craft Adhesive is a good option to use if you need to repair nylon fabric.
When repairing holes or tears in nylon, you do not want the glue to set too hard, as it would make the fabric rigid and prone to breaking. With the E6000 craft glue, this doesn’t happen.
The E6000 glue does not turn hard and rigid when it sets, so the fabric will be able to maintain its flexibility and elasticity, so it is a great option for gluing or repairing nylon fabric in craft or sewing projects.
It is also machine washable – so you do not have to hand-wash the item.
When dry, the E6000 glue dries clear, so it will not stand out on the fabric either. The bullet point of the tube of glue makes precision easy when gluing, and there will be no spills or messes.
This handy glue is great to keep in your craft kit, as it can also be used on photos and paper!
4. Gorilla Glue Original Polyurethane Glue
Gorilla Original Polyurethane Glue is another option to use to glue nylon to metal. It is a super glue that has a polyurethane base, and it is waterproof too. When dry, it provides either a rigid or flexible bond, depending on the project you are working on.
You can use the Gorilla Original Glue on just about any household item, although you might have to prepare the nylon surface first before bonding it with metal.
The one downside to using Gorilla Glue is that as it cures, it expands, and it can expand up to three times its original size This is fine for some applications, but it might be a problem for certain projects. However, this does increase the strength of the bond.
The benefits of using Gorilla Polyurethane Glue are that it is 100% waterproof, and it will not break down when exposed to the elements outdoors, so it is great when you need a stable, durable bond. It is also temperature resistant.
Good for so many uses, the Gorilla Original Glue is sure to be a useful addition to your craft box.
5. Elmer’s Carpenters Wood Glue
When you need to glue nylon to wood, then Elmer’s Carpenters Wood Glue is your best option. You will need to prepare the nylon with a product such as J-B Weld Plastic Bonder, but once this is done, the Elmer’s Glue will bond the two together perfectly.
The bond created with this glue is stronger than wood, but it is non-toxic, it has no odor, and it is easy enough to clean up with water alone.
Resistant to heat, the glue is great to use in the kitchen and other areas where it will be exposed to high or low temperatures.
To cure this glue, it needs to be clamped for 20-30 minutes and then left for 24 hours to bond fully and cure. Not only is this a good option for nylon to wood bonding, but it will help with many other household projects too.
6. Gorilla Dual Temp Mini Hot Glue Gun
Using a glue gun will help you successfully bond nylon to nylon. Being a thermoplastic, nylon melts easily when exposed to high temperatures, so when the hot glue is applied to the nylon, it melts it slightly which allows it to set in properly.
When set, the glue is impact-resistant and waterproof, so it can be used both indoors and outdoors.
The Gorilla Glue Gun itself has a dual temperature setting so you can choose the temperature that would suit your project best.
The comfortable trigger and grip also mean that it is easy to use over extended periods, and the precision nozzle helps to keep your project tidy.
This set includes the dual temp mini hot glue gun, as well as 30 mini hot glue sticks, so it will last you through many projects!
7. Professional Grade Super Glue
The Professional Grade Super Glue from Gluemasters is the one super glue that every household needs.
Based on cyanoacrylate resin, it gives the strongest bond possible at home, and can be used for wood, plastic, fabric, and even prepared nylon.
Settling in under 90 seconds, the glue is so easy to use, and you only need a small amount for a strong bond. The thick viscosity of the glue allows for better control, and better control means less mess.
The glue is super versatile, and the industrial formula strength gives you the best of both worlds, allowing you to bond both big and small projects of nylon to wood or other plastics.
Once you have used as much of the super glue that you need, you can put the lid back on to prevent the glue from drying out and messing, so you can use it over and over again.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best glue to use for nylon isn’t that simple, as the best glue to use would depend on what you are bonding the nylon with.
To save you the trial and error of using many different types of glue for your project to find the right one, we have listed the best options above, and what surfaces they work best for when bonding with nylon.
By finding the right glue to use, you can create a lasting bond between nylon and another surface, which can also be weatherproof and water-resistant if needed.
Take the time to read through the above to find out which glue would suit your needs best, and which will give you the best bond!
Related Questions
Can I use PVC to glue nylon?
PVC is not the best option for nylon and some other plastics. It is best used for PVC pipes, and it will not give you a long-lasting bond on nylon, especially if the nylon is not prepared.
Does epoxy work well on nylon?
Epoxy can be a good option to use for nylon, and choosing a soft and flexible epoxy would give you the best results. This is because nylon is a soft material, so the soft epoxy would suit the material well and maintain the flexibility that nylon has.
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