When it comes down to gluing aluminum, you got to be very careful in choosing epoxy. Not all epoxy works for metal such as steel, aluminum. You might see some ordinary glues are bonding with such material but they are not going to last long. There are epoxies especially designed for metals and for a long-lasting bond, you should for those.
However, if you are looking for the best epoxy for aluminum, you are on the right spot. Take a look at the following models, they are performing great enough to satisfy the users, we hope you will be satisfied as well.
What Are The Best Epoxy For Aluminum?
Here are 5 of the quick list of best epoxy’s for aluminum that we found on amazon:
- J-B Weld 8267 Epoxy Putty Stick
- Hy-Poxy H-450 Alumbond Putty Repair Kit
- PC Products 167779 PC-7 Two-Part Epoxy Adhesive
- Marine-Tex RM330K Gluvit Waterproof Epoxy Sealer
- Permatex 84109 PermaPoxy Metal Epoxy
Best Aluminum Epoxy’s Reviewed:
1. J-B Weld 8267 Epoxy Putty Stick
The J-B Weld 8267, it is one of the best-selling and top-rated models. This brand J-B is extremely famous for its top-quality adhesives, people seem to like it very much. And why won’t they when J-B products provide a satisfying result. However, let’s see what this J-B 8267 got. It is a metal-epoxy that works extremely well. It is potable water safe and also certified by NSF.
It comes in two parts, you will have to mix them up and apply. Mixing is very easy, take an equal amount from both the tubes and mix it well. And then apply. The tube seals well so you shouldn’t worry regarding the storage. After applying this epoxy will set within 5-minutes and will be cured within 1-hour. You can use the applied item after that.
The tensile strength of this epoxy is 900 PSI which is pretty good. And when dried fully, it can withstand up to 350F heat. It is Hydraulic fluids, petroleum, and other chemical-resistant. When it is dried fully, you can sand it, drill, tap, mold, paint, or shape it very easily. Aluminum, stainless steel, copper, brass, bronze, fiberglass, this epoxy works incredibly in all these materials.
If we talk about the appearance, it turns to dark grey when dried completely. Plus, you can sand it and then paint it with the needed color as well. Lastly, we would say, the quality is superior, for aluminum it would be a great choice indeed.
The Pros
- Dries faster.
- Can be drilled, sanded, molded, painted.
- Tensile strength of 900PSI.
- High temperature-resistant.
- Very easy to apply.
The Con
- Few users say this doesn’t work well with stainless steel.
2. Hy-Poxy H-450 Alumbond Putty Repair Kit
With the tensile strength of 3500PSI, this Hy-Poxy H-450 easily tackles large aluminum repairing tasks. It works great at a sealant as well, sealing holes or repairing aluminum or any other metal, this will work well. No need to weld, the bond it makes it extremely solid. It is a two-part formula and you need to mix them up properly. Once mixed properly, then just apply and wait for it to dry completely.
For mechanics and plumbers, this could be a good choice. It contains aluminum particles and the great adhesion makes it a great choice for anyone who is looking for a top-notch aluminum epoxy. Comes with the ability to withstand high-temperature up to 250F. And as mentioned before, has 3500PSI tensile strength along with 8600PSI compression strength. Whether it is a valve, HVAC pipe, tanks, you can use it one all of these without worrying.
However, for getting the best result out of this epoxy, there are few things you will need to do. Before you apply it, make sure to clean the aluminum or the metal thoroughly. And when mixing it, take an equal amount from both the tubes and keep mixing for 3 minutes. Apply properly on the surface, it is easy to apply. Curing shouldn’t take more than 45-minutes and once it dries up properly you can sand it, drill it, and paint it.
The Pros
- Very easy to apply.
- Contains aluminum particles.
- Sets and dries pretty fast.
- Comes with high tensile strength.
- Suitable for tanks and pipes.
The Con
- Mixing requires effort.
3. PC Products 167779 PC-7 Two-Part Epoxy Adhesive
Sealant, filler, bonding agent, you can use this PC product 167779 as all of these. Whether it is fiberglass, wood, metal, plastic, ceramic, you are going to have a satisfying result using this epoxy in any of these. The way it is developed, it could be used both indoor and outdoor. That being said, it cannot withstand high temperature, be careful about that. The suitable temperature range is 35 o 115 degree, make sure you remain in this temperature while applying the epoxy.
It also comes in two-part and you will have to mix them up properly to get the expected result. You can seal water tank leaks, gas, oil, pipes, masonry cracks with this epoxy. When it comes to filling, works well in filling holes, molds, casting, however, do not use this to seal deeper holes or cracks, it might not penetrate that deep.
The tensile strength is 2150 PSI which is not bad at all. Though you won’t get it as strong as previously reviewed Hy-Poxy H-450 but well enough to go. One drawback of this very epoxy is the curing time. It can take up to 1 entire day to get dried properly, so if you are looking for a quick-drying solution, this definitely not the one. The last thing you would like to know is, when it dries it turns dark grey.
The Pros
- Easy to apply.
- Makes solid bond.
- Suitable for a lot of materials.
- Works as filler, sealant, and adhesive.
- Good tensile strength.
The Con
- 24-hour curing time.
4. Marine-Tex RM330K Gluvit Waterproof Epoxy Sealer
Well, this one is only for aluminum boat owners. If your boat has pinholes and cracks, and you looking for a solution for that, the Marine-Tex RM330K Gluvit Waterproof Epoxy Sealer it is. The best part of this sealer is, it penetrates deep. If the hole or crack is deep, don’t worry at all. This sealer will go deep and make a solid surface. It is not corrosion-resistant but it definitely reduces corrosion in order to save the surface.
Like others, this one is also a two-part epoxy that requires proper mixing. Don’t hurry in mixing since everything depends on that. This one will cover a big area. If you want you can add coating on that as well. Apart from the aluminum, you can use it on wood, steel, and fiberglass as well. It takes longer to dry properly, up to 48-hours. Though it takes a long time to dry but once it dries properly you can sand and paint it pretty easily.
The Pros
- Makes a strong surface.
- Can be sanded and painted.
- Great at sealing holes and cracks.
- Suitable for wood, fiberglass, and steel as well.
The Con
- Takes 48 hours to dry properly.
5. Permatex 84109 PermaPoxy Metal Epoxy
This is another highly versatile metal epoxy. Aluminum, steel, bronze, you can use this epoxy on every metal material. The bond it makes is pretty strong eliminating the need for welding. It has a tensile strength of 4500PSI. After applying the epoxy you don’t need to do any kind of clamping to make the bond stronger and faster. Just leave it normally, the epoxy will set within 4-minutes.
It is a shrink-resistant and water-resistant epoxy. Having that said, you wouldn’t want to use the epoxy on outdoor items because continuous contact of water causes the bond to loosen up. It does the filling job nicely and after it dries you can sand it, drill, it, paint it like wood. The ideal temperature range for applying this metal epoxy is 60-degree F to 300-degree F.
The Pros
- Super easy to apply.
- Highly versatile epoxy.
- Forms a very strong bond.
- High tensile strength.
- Shrinkage and water-resistant.
The Con
- Constant contact of water weakens the bond.
6. 3M Marine Adhesive Sealant 5200
As the name suggests, it is a marine adhesive sealant that has the ability to withstand water for a long period. It makes aa very strong bond that it wouldn’t come loose or break anytime soon, it will serve for long. Whether it is a kayak, boat, jet-ski, or any other marine vehicle, this sealant will suit perfectly. Having that said, this sealant takes time to get dried properly, it might take up to 6 days but it is worth waiting since the bond it gives after 6 days that is just outstanding.
This epoxy contains tough polyurethane polymer properties which are preventing saltwater to damage the bond and it gives protection against weathering as well. It is a single part sealant, no mixing is required. Just apply and wait. One more thing the users have experienced is, compared to another sealant this one is a little hard to apply because it is thin. However, that doesn’t affect its performance, give it the needed time to get dried completely and you are all set to go.
The Pros
- Comes at an affordable price.
- Saltwater cannot damage the bond.
- Highly water-resistant.
- Best for marine use.
- Protects from weathering.
The Cons
- Takes really long to dry.
- Thin formula.
7. Star Brite 4oz Epoxy Putty Stick
Presenting the last one of the list, the Star Brite 4oz Epoxy Putty Stick. Well, this one isn’t as strong as another epoxy’s so it would be wise if you choose it for lightweight tasks. It contains some special adhesive properties which enable this epoxy to give a permanent repair. Best for use in aluminum material but works on some other metals as well.
It comes with a hand mixable substance, just cut the needed amount from the substance and then mix it up. This epoxy sets within 7-minutes, so you will have 7 minutes to complete the applying process. And it cures within 30-minutes which is quite fast. Once it is dried completely, it is ready for sanding, drilling, painting. Applying this is very simple, just apply, and nothing else. However, make sure to mix it well before you apply.
This epoxy has a tensile strength of 900 PSI which is definitely not a very high PSI but for lightweight tasks, this is good enough. It works fine with aluminum boats, water cannot damage the bond. Seal the leakage of the board effortlessly with this very epoxy solution. You can use it to repair small cracks as well.
It can withstand high temperature, easily handles up to 250-degree F, the problem arises when the temperature goes above. When applying this epoxy make sure to be under moderate temperature, if the temperature range is against the manufacturer’s recommendation, it might not work as expected.
The Pros
- Best for aluminum materials.
- Highly water-resistant.
- Suitable for aluminum boats.
- Decent heat withstanding ability.
- Suitable tensile strength for lightweight tasks.
- Cures pretty fast.
The Con
- Not for heavy-duty tasks.
What are the Benefits of Using Aluminum Epoxy?
There are some benefits of aluminum epoxy, and that is why most people prefer using this.
Non-toxic
Aluminum epoxies are completely environment friendly, they don’t contain any toxic properties which other epoxies contain. It comes with high cohesion and the fumes don’t erode. So it is safe to apply.
Water-resistant
When you apply epoxy on any cracked surface, it will make it water-resistant after it dries properly. So doesn’t matter how you keep the item, there will be no corrosion.
Durability
Aluminum epoxies are very durable. After it gets dry, it becomes really solid. Even water and UV rays also cannot break the bond easily.
Ease of cleaning
When you apply epoxy sometimes it becomes hard to clean. But that is not in the case of aluminum epoxy. Aluminum is easy to clean with epoxy on it. And if any stain comes on the epoxy, you can clean that as well with water.
How to Choose Best Epoxy for Aluminum?
If you want to make sure you are choosing the right epoxy for aluminum, there are few factors to help you do that. All you have to do is consider each of these factors right before making a purchase decision and you are good to go. We have discussed all those factors below, make sure you go through and think before buying.
Drying time
This is the very first thing you will be going to consider. The faster the drying the time, the quicker you can start using the repaired metal. There are epoxies that take a couple of hours to get dried properly, and there are some which dry completely within an hour. Obviously, you will be going with the one that dries fast, who would wait for hours when things can get done quicker.
Compatibility
Most of the wood epoxy wouldn’t work with metal. But there are some metal epoxies that work with wood, plastic, and other materials. Well, this is not important but still worth checking. There is a high chance that after doing your repair work on metal, there will still left some more epoxy’s. and if you choose one that works well with other materials as well, you might be able to use that instead of wasting it. However, your primary goal should be choosing one that works best with metal, and then the rest.
Temperature
Temperature plays a big role when it comes down to applying epoxies. If not applied under the recommended temperature, it might not work as expected. Having that said, most of the epoxy’s work perfectly under normal temperature 35 to 100 degrees. The problem arises when you live in a very cold or hot environment. In that case, you can choose a room where you can control the temperature.
Temperature-Resistant
Once the epoxy has dried properly that can be exposed to completely different temperatures. And you have to make sure that it can survive that. Not every epoxy can withstand high temperature, then end up getting damaged. That being said, there are some which can withstand high-temperature range pretty easily, it is wise to go with those models.
Outdoor or Indoor
You cannot use any epoxy for outdoor or indoor. There are separate models developed for these. If you want to pick an epoxy for outdoor use then make sure that has the ability to withstand the rough environment. Otherwise, water and UV sun rays will damage it within no time. Most outdoor epoxies can be used indoor but not all indoor epoxies can be used outdoor.
Water-resistant
Not all epoxies need to be water-resistant. But if you are using one as a sealant to seal a pipe, for example, that needs to be waterproof, otherwise, it will leak water and wouldn’t last even a few days. Water-resistant epoxies are suitable for outdoor use as well. However, you don’t have to stress about checking this feature, when the epoxy is waterproof that will be written in bold big font on the container. If you don’t see anything like that, avoid that.
Application
You will always choose epoxy that is easy to apply unless you are a professional in this. There are some epoxies that are very sticky and hard to fill into deeper cracks. But there are some which are very easy to apply even with a stick. Having that said, most aluminum epoxy’s are way too easy to apply compared to wood epoxy’s but still worth checking.
Appearance and Paintability
It is not necessary but if you will applying the epoxy to anything that will be in front of people, then it is better to choose one that will appear good after drying. And you would want to make sure that you can paint on it so that you will be able to hide the epoxy mark by painting the area with the same color.
Price
It shouldn’t be a concern since epoxies aren’t expensive. But it is still good if you can save a few bucks. Well, if you buy a bigger package you will save money. If we compare to the bigger sized epoxy container, then small tubes are expensive. That being said, if you will be using the epoxy only once or twice then there is no need to spend extra money to buy the larger container. Go with the tube.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best adhesive for aluminum?
Not only one, but there are also a couple of adhesives which works incredible on aluminum. But still, if you want few names we would say, the Hy-Poxy H-450 Alumbond Putty because it comes with 3500 tensile power. And not only aluminum, but it also works on most metal. Forms a really strong and long-lasting bond.
Then there is the Permatex 84109 PermaPoxy Metal Epoxy which makes a more stronger bond. With the tensile power of 4500 PSI, this is dominating the market right now. One of the best adhesives for aluminum. Works as sealant and filler as well.
Is JB Weld stronger than aluminum?
We cannot say if JB weld is stronger than aluminum. All we would say is, JB is the best weld for aluminum. It makes incredibly string joint on aluminum material.
How do you prepare aluminum for epoxy?
If you want the epoxy to work incredibly well with the aluminum, then you will have to prepare the aluminum for the epoxy. First, you have to decrease the aluminum with acetone or denatures alcohol. Then add primer as pre-treatment. And then clean the aluminum under running water thoroughly. After that, the aluminum is ready for epoxy.
Does Gorilla Glue work on aluminum?
Yes, it works well. Not only aluminum works great in most metal. Comes with 4250 PSI tensile strength which makes them both incredibly strong. Plus, the bond is long-lasting.
Conclusion
By now hope you got the best epoxy for aluminum. All the models we have reviewed above are top-rated in the market right now. A lot of people have used these models and according to them, they serve well. Just head over to the feedback section, you will get to see everything that users saying about all of these epoxies.
However, we have tried our best. Make sure to choose the suitable one for the job. And do not hesitate to pay a good price if you are buying the epoxy from a well-known brand, you are less likely regret.
