Best Resealable Glue for PLA (3D Printing)

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Paul1977

5042 posts

Uber Geek

#319859 9-Jun-2025 09:47

Just getting into 3D printing, and am printing a few intricate little models that sometimes require glueing. I had a tube of Gorilla superglue at home so have used that, but it's very runny and the tube doesn't reseal well (when I reopen it it's all gummed up).

What is the best glue for this kind of thing?

Thanks

mdf

3513 posts

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#3382015 9-Jun-2025 11:27

Superglue works well with PLA. I don't buy tubes though - I mostly get the hard dispenser bottles. You used to have to go to hobby stores for these but its now stocked at Bunnings. Brush on dispensers are another good option for some applications.

pab

106 posts

Master Geek

ID Verified

#3382119 9-Jun-2025 14:34

I use cheap 20-50ml bottles of superglue from AliExpress or Temu. Once open, I keep the bottle in the fridge.

SepticSceptic

2188 posts

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#3382324 9-Jun-2025 23:15

The 2$ tat shops also sell brushable superglue.

Ditto about keeping in the fridge, and well sealed. superglue is hydroscopic. absorbs moisture and gets thick and gel like.

Can be useful in that state, but strength is compromised .

SepticSceptic

2188 posts

Uber Geek

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#3382325 9-Jun-2025 23:18

Have you tried the MEK based solvent glues typically used for model building?

Of course there is also epoxy

Paul1977

5042 posts

Uber Geek

#3382449 10-Jun-2025 13:20

Thanks for the feedback.

Ended up going with the Loctite Creative Pen from Bunnings. While it doesn't really say it anywhere, reviews on Amazon says it's a gel one; and after using it the consistency is thicker than the normal super runny stuff. After an initial mishap by squeezing too hard, the applicator does allow nice little controlled drops.

Still seems expensive for what it is, but I guess a little goes a long way.

Suffers from the same white hazing around the join like most superglues (from off-gassing as it cures or something like that). Internet suggests WD-40 or waving the flame of a lighter over it after it's cured to resolve that. Didn't have any WD-40, but the lighter more or less did the trick (but will pick up some WD-40 in the weekend, as I'm bound to mess up the flame technique sooner or later and melt my print!).