Choosing glue for wood, plastic, metal or fabric

Start with the job

A practical overview of matching common adhesives to common DIY materials. Before choosing a method, look at the material, the environment and what would happen if the fix failed.

Practical checks

• Surface preparation often matters more than adding extra glue.
• Drying time and curing time are not always the same.
• Manufacturer instructions decide open time, pressure and clean-up.
• Keep the work visible and easy to inspect.
• Treat uncertain or safety-critical work as a reason to stop and seek better guidance.

Good habits

Work slowly, test on scrap or a hidden area where possible, and stop if the material starts to crack, crush, mark or move unexpectedly.

Safety note

Use ventilation and skin or eye protection where needed. Follow manufacturer instructions. Not all plastics bond well, ordinary glues are not for structural or heat-critical repairs unless specified, and hot glue can burn skin.

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