How to glue rubber: The DIY guide for great results

If you need to know how to glue rubber for a home project or repair, we’ve got you covered. Read below to find the answers to all your questions.

Waterproof and resilient, it’s no wonder rubber is used in so many household items. Everything from boots and clothing to gaskets, seals, and more. Occasionally, you may find a tear in a rubber item that needs a quick repair. Or a project around the house or car might require gluing rubber to rubber.

Follow these simple instructions for gluing rubber items and making repairs with super glue:

1. Surface preparation and cleaning. Ensure the areas to be bonded are clean, dry, and free of grease or oils. Mineral spirits or rubbing alcohol will remove any residue.
2. Always test-fit the materials to make sure everything aligns correctly before adding glue.
3. Safety first. It is a good practice to wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses throughout the project and work in a well-ventilated area.
4. Apply a small amount of glue. Super glue is generally applied to only one of the surfaces. Check your product labelling for details.
5. Press the materials together and hold them in place until the glue sets. This is usually less than a minute.
6. Allow the bond to fully cure. In most cases, the item should remain undisturbed overnight to allow the glue to fully harden.
7. Clean up your tools and work area immediately. Remove excess adhesive, drips, or runs with a damp cloth or paper towel. Carefully remove dried adhesive with a sharp blade.

Here are some of our favourite adhesives for gluing rubber together.

You’ll find LePage Super Glue Gel Control to be one of the strongest super glues available. This glue is perfect for most porous materials like rubber, leather, and wood, but will also bond to most metals and plastics. LePage Super Glue Gel Control is shock-resistant and stands up well to freezing temperatures, so you can use it almost anywhere. It sets in seconds and dries transparent for nearly invisible repairs.

If you need a thicker formula to span small gaps or join parts that don’t fit as precisely, try LePage Extreme Glue. It bonds to nearly any surface, including rubber, and it is shock-resistant and non-shrinking. Use it indoors or out, since it is moisture resistant and can stand up to temperatures as low as -40 °C (-40 °F) and up to 80 °C (176 °F).