Ceramics are wonderful to create art with. Whether you are molding a ceramic vase or even working on ceramic flooring, it is important to know which glue will herald the best results.
Ceramics can look beautiful and are generally pretty durable. Unfortunately, they can crack or split ruining a decorative piece or part of your home. If yours has broken, don’t worry! There is no need to throw your ceramics out if they have split or cracked.
All you need is the best glue to fix the splits and get it back to a healthy state.
We have compiled a list of the best glues for ceramics. All you have to do is sit back, read on, and discover which glue will save your beloved ceramics.
Below our in-depth reviews of glue products, we have included a comprehensive buyers guide with factors to consider before buying. We finish off with some helpful FAQs to answer the most common questions on ceramic glues.
Do your ceramics need urgent attention?Here is our top pick if you are in a hurry:
Our top pick on our list today is the Gorilla 2 Part Epoxy glue. This is a strong glue that achieves permanent sticking results for fast gap-filling.
This glue is superb for its multi-surface usage and can fix just about any ceramic breakage.
When looking for a good ceramic glue, the best type is epoxy glue. These are thermoset plastics due to a reaction of several chemical compounds.
These chemicals react, heat up, and create a solid plastic resin with superior durability and resistance to water and certain chemicals.
Gorilla 2 Part Epoxy achieves all this easily with a quick result. It dries clearly and sets in just 5 minutes.
For those intricate cracks that are hard to glue, Gorilla 2 Part Epoxy comes inside a syringe applicator sporting two separate components to carefully glue small areas.
Both components can disperse at once for a delicate touch. This glue is perfect for all sorts of repairs including plastics and rubber.
It will save you money on other materials that may need repairing in the long run.
Once the glue is set, it is resistant to a variety of chemicals and solvents. Heat or water won’t affect the strong bond thanks to its high tensile strength.
Gorilla 2 Part Epoxy is ideal for a clean, easy finish on any ceramic and will leave your broken material looking like new.
Pros
- Dries clearly for a transparent result
- Sets in only 5 minutes resulting in a strong bond
- Ideal for many materials as well as ceramics such as plastic and rubber
- Comes inside a syringe applicator with two separate components for easy and precise usage
- Highly resistant to chemicals, solvents, heat, and water
Cons
- Requires mixing for the strongest hold
Our second choice is a different type of glue to our first but that doesn’t mean it is not of good quality.
The Dap All-Purpose Adhesive sealant is not actually an epoxy or super glue. This is, in fact, silicone rubber which has many positives.
Silicone rubber is 100% waterproof which is ideal for repairing ceramics. When dried, it is clear so any chance of seeing a dish has been fixed is not visible.
Dap All-Purpose Adhesive Sealant is even quite flexible when dried. This allows for a higher level of impact resistance. It refuses to weaken or shrink when drying and won’t crack at any time.
An added bonus is the heat resistance this glue brings. It is extremely resistant to high temperatures so can be used near fireplaces or for cooking.
The silicone material is also non-toxic, something that is vital if you use your ceramics for food or in a dishwasher.
Pros
- 100% waterproof for a variety of uses
- Highly resistant to heat
- A non-toxic material meaning it is safe in ceramics used for food and drinks
- Glue stays flexible after drying for a higher level of impact resistance
- Clear when dried with no visible marks of repair
Cons
- Takes some time to set and hold to objects
- Not resistant to every solvent
Coming in at number four on our list is the fast bonding Bob Smith Industries Gap Filling Super Glue.
This excellent glue creates a bond in only ten seconds and then only takes a few minutes to completely set.
This particular glue is suitable for an array of materials such as plastic, metal, wood, rubber, leather, as well as ceramics.
If your ceramics have cracked or broken completely, this glue will be your savior. It easily fills in gaps as the name suggests leaving a strong long-lasting hold.
Bob Smith Industries Gap Filling Super Glue is known for its extreme strength. It actually forms a bond stronger than the original ceramic.
If you want a glue that stays in place well and won’t allow for much positioning, then Bob Smith Industries Gap Filling Super Glue is the one for you.
For larger surfaces, it is recommended you combine this glue with INSTA-CURE+ for maximum hold.
For smaller pieces, simply hold the pieces in position for 5 to 15 seconds and wait for the super glue to work its magic.
Pros
- Creates a bond in a matter of seconds and only take a few minutes to fully set
- Stays in place securely holding the broken pieces firmly together
- This is a waterproof glue so can be used for outdoor ceramics
- Bonds just about every material including plastic, metal, rubber, wood, and many more
- Comes with an easy applicator nozzle for equal distribution of the glue
Cons
- Not safe for ceramics that hold food as it contains harmful toxins
- Can be a bit tricky to spread as it sets so quickly
Here is another multipurpose glue that can deliver on many surfaces. Devcon Waterproof Glue is designed for use with wood, metal, glass, concrete, china, and ceramics.
This is one of the strongest glues available and its high strength nature is designed for industrial applications.
Nonetheless, there is no reason why this can’t be used at home. If it is good enough for industrial uses, it is certainly good enough for household ceramics.
This glue forms a bond that is safe for food, resistant to heat, waterproof, dishwasher friendly, and resistant to just about every solvent and chemical.
Although epoxy, such as this, can be quite runny, it should set solidly after combining it with a hardener. This will ensure a very fast setting.
You must be careful when applying any epoxy as it can run and cover areas that don’t need any gluing.
If your fixed ceramic requires a little sanding after it has been glued back together, Devcon Waterproof Glue will sit firm and can even be painted to cover up.
Pros
- This is food safe so can be used on ceramics which are used for mealtimes
- Its tough nature means it is dishwasher safe
- Completely waterproof for use outdoors
- Extremely strong holding for just about every material
- Sets almost instantly for a secure fix to your broken or cracked ceramic
Cons
- Can be a little runny and messy when not carefully applied
- Not safe for oven use
There are certain things you need to keep in mind before buying and using glue for ceramics.
We have included some important points to consider below which should help you make that final step to buying the best glue for ceramics.
Types of glues for ceramics
There are a couple of types of glues you can use for ceramic. Depending on what you are fixing, these glues are epoxies and super glue.
Epoxies
As we have already mentioned, epoxies are the best choice for ceramics. These usually contain two compounds which, when combined, form a heat-based chemical reaction causing the two components to form together into a solid plastic resin.
Epoxy glues usually set and cure rather quickly but some may take a few hours to fully cure. If you use the dishwasher to clean your ceramic, then this glue is also a great choice. Just make sure it is non-toxic ceramic glue before using it on dishware that you eat from.
Due to its extremely high resistance towards different chemicals, solvents, heat, and water, epoxies are deemed the best choice for ceramic repairs.
Super glue
Super glue is technically known as Cyanoacrylate. These often offer instant results in gluing as it will set and cure within minutes or even seconds. If you find the correct super glue, it can be used at very high temperatures and forms a reasonably strong bond strength.
This type of glue is normally waterproof too. Nonetheless, it is important to note that superglue tends to have lower sheer strength and isn’t the best option for binding smooth surfaces.
Precautions
It is vital you take great care when using epoxies or super glues. You should always wear disposable safety gloves as super glue can bond to the skin and cause harm.
Care does need to be taken when using either epoxies or super glues, so let’s quickly go over some important safety precautions. You may need to wear a face mask when using some industrial glues or even use a respirator.
As some glues transmit strong fumes, always try to glue in a well-ventilated space. Safety glasses should be worn when working with epoxy as it can hugely damage the eyes.
Toxicity
One of the most important things to check is whether the glue you intend to buy is safe for food use. If you are planning on repairing dishes or plates, this is imperative.
Some ceramic glues can be quite toxic, which is safe for other ceramic surfaces like tiles. Always be sure that what you are buying is food safe ceramic glue if using for dishes.
Water resistance
Epoxy glue should be waterproof. Glue weakened by water won’t last and the repaired ceramic will soon break again.
This is especially important for pottery glue such as vases, as these will contain water and can’t leak.
Heat resistance
If your ceramic dish is often used in an oven or a heated environment, then you must make sure the ceramic glue is heat resistant.
Heat resistant glue for ceramics can usually be used on oven dishes and similar items.
Bond strength
The best ceramic glue will feature a bond strength that is as strong as the actual ceramic, or even stronger.
If you plan on gluing floor tiles, then the epoxy needs to be very strong and resistant to any impacts, vibrations, or pressure.
Solvent resistance
If you’re looking for the best ceramic glue, then it must be highly resistant to solvents. You most likely clean your ceramics with cleaning agents that contain solvents or chemicals.
These ingredients shouldn’t degrade the bond from the glue in any way and the glue should stay in place for a very long time.
Painting over the glue
Many ceramics have designs or colors on them. If these become damaged, you may want to brush up the edges and paint over the cracks to hide any damage. Ceramic glue should be paintable.
In order to keep that great design on your ceramic, the glue that now holds it together should be able to work underneath the paint with no trouble.
Clamping and dry time
Ceramics can sometimes be quite delicate so clamping is not a good idea.
The pressure from clamping would probably damage a ceramic to a state of no return. Ceramic glue, however, should dry quite quickly to form a strong bond and cure.
Container’s design
Another important part of ceramic glue is the container. The size and shape of the container can determine how well it functions as well as how easy it is to apply.
If a container prevents much dripping, then you will save yourself a lot of mess and stickiness. Some glue packs even come with brushes to apply more easily.
Price
If you have a budget in mind, you should always stick to it. It is worth remembering that, even if ceramic glue is expensive, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is good quality.
On the other hand, even if it is cheap, it doesn’t mean it won’t work properly. Choose a glue that suits your budget and has all the characteristics you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does glue on ceramics work?
Ceramic adhesive is designed to bond porous materials together. When ceramic breaks, or cracks, these edges become very porous and rough.
Whatever epoxy or super glue you get, it needs to be able to bond these porous materials together. Glue that is designed for smoother materials or edges will most likely not work on ceramic repairs.
How do you fix broken ceramic?
If you intend to repair ceramic pottery such as terra cotta, you will have to heat up the ceramic items first to around 140 degrees. This extra heat will let the epoxy bond much quicker and more firmly.
For other ceramics, you should stabilize the broken pieces into shape so that they don’t move. Then apply a thin layer of your chosen glue, attach the pieces together, and then use a special clay type to hold these together. Clamping them will only destroy the ceramic further.
Can you glue ceramic tiles to the floor?
Just like gluing ceramics to the wall, you can glue ceramic tiles to the floor. You can usually use the same ceramic adhesive which comes in different sizes. These forms are mostly used in bathrooms and kitchens.
Even if a ceramic toilet has broken, the same rule applies. Just take extra care in applying the glue to not make a sticky mess.