Metal glues: how to fix metal on your own
When metal things break, many people assume that they’ll need professional help. However, thanks to metal glues, you can easily complete these jobs yourself. As metal is non-porous, it is resistant to most of the glues you already have in your home, so get your hands on a good metal glue instead.
Getting to know metal glues
Got something metal that needs fixing but not sure where to start? Choose the best glue for metal with our guide to the different types of metal glue.
When it comes to fixing metal, there are three types of metal glue to keep an eye out for: epoxies, polyurethanes and super glues.
Epoxy adhesives form the strongest metal-to-metal bonds. They consist of two parts – the adhesive and the hardener. These combine to create strong, long-lasting bonds between different types of metal or between metal and concrete surfaces.
For metal you may want to find yourself a two-part epoxy adhesive. These dry quickly, some within five minutes and are ideal for quick DIY jobs that require permanent bonding. You can also use these epoxy glues to repair and fill gaps in most types of metal and stone.
Polyurethanes are another common type of glue that can be used on metal. You can normally identify polyurethanes because of their water-resistant and UV-resistant qualities. These are another great option because they dry quickly without becoming brittle. These single-part glues need moisture to set but are waterproof once cured.
Another benefit to using polyurethanes is that once they’ve dried completely, they can be sanded, stained, and painted. Since it doesn’t shrink, they can withstand extreme temperatures and can be painted over, this glue is great for DIY jobs like fixing your oven door, saucepan handles and radiators.
You may be wondering, “Does super glue work on metal?” It most certainly does. Super glues are based on ethyl cyanoacrylate. These single-part glues are great for creating fast, strong bonds between metal surfaces. Super glues can stick surfaces together almost instantly, which makes them great for almost all metal-to-metal applications, but they can't fill in gaps.
For fast and strong results, use Loctite’s 60 Second All-Purpose glue. This versatile and reliable super glue dries transparently and forms long-lasting invisible bonds between metals in just a few seconds. It’s extra strong which means it can be used for all types of home repairs involving metal, even everyday tasks like reattaching saucepan handles or fixing your bike.
Loctite’s Super Glue Perfect Pen as a metal glue
Gluing small or fiddly metal parts together can be tricky, but it’s much easier with Loctite’s Super Glue Perfect Pen. This new pen-shaped super glue has a pressure-sensitive system, which dispenses the non-drip formula drop by drop, meaning that you can glue metal parts together both precisely and cleanly. It’s suitable for use on metal along with other materials such as, wood, leather, rubber, china and plastic, it is able to form strong bonds with all of these materials in a matter of seconds.
Using metal glue on bigger pieces of metal
If you need a strong metal glue for a larger project like fixing iron railings, securing metal bolts or fixing your lawn mower, then look no further than Loctite’s 60 Second All-Purpose glue. Rather than welding the parts together, you can use this strong all-purpose super glue to bond almost any surface, including non-porous to non-porous materials. Its non-drip gel formula means that you can apply it vertically too.
How to fix your bike with metal adhesive
Fixing metal bike parts is easier than it looks. All you need is a strong glue like Loctite’s 60 Second All-Purpose glue.
- Get ready. The first thing to do is to make sure that you have everything you need ready to make the repairs. We recommend repairing your bike either outside or somewhere that is well ventilated. Just make sure that you cover the area underneath your bike, so that you can manage any spills. Put on some latex or nitrile gloves (not PVC, nylon, or cotton) to protect your skin.
- Prepare the surfaces. Make sure that both surfaces fit together and then, with a damp cloth, clean them thoroughly, making sure to remove any dust, dirt, wax, oil, grease or fingerprints. Once they’re clean, use the damp cloth to moisten both surfaces as this helps with the application.
- Apply a generous amount of metal glue and press the two parts together. Don’t worry if you make a mistake. This glue sets quickly but there’s still time to reposition if needed.
- Leave to dry overnight. Although this glue sets in 60 seconds, you should leave it to dry overnight to ensure that it’s fully cured before you set off for a ride.
Loctite’s 60 Second All-Purpose glue has a non-drip gel formula, but if any does get spilt, just use some white spirit or acetone to clean it up.