Does Gorilla Glue work on silicone?
In this guide
Bench test (planned)
The planned Glue Test Lab test bonds 1 in² overlap joints of cured silicone sheet, 3 samples per glue, cures each joint 24 hours at room temperature, then pulls it apart with a digital luggage scale. Results will be added here when the test is done.
The rest of this page covers what the glue makers say about their products and the chemistry behind the answer.
Why won't Gorilla Glue stick to silicone?
Glue has to "wet" a surface before it can grip it. That means it has to spread out and touch every tiny bump. Cured silicone has a very low surface energy, about 24 mN/m by one industry figure. Most glues bead up on it the way water beads on a waxed car. With nothing to grab, the glue cures on top and peels off in one piece.
Silicone is also slick, non-porous and non-polar. Polyurethane and super glue bond best to surfaces they can soak into or react with. Silicone offers neither. Factories bond silicone with special primers or plasma treatment. You can't do that at home with a bottle of Gorilla Glue.
Which Gorilla products work on silicone?
| Product | What it is | On cured silicone |
|---|---|---|
| Original Gorilla Glue | Polyurethane, cures with moisture and foams as it sets | Won't hold. Gorilla doesn't list silicone as a surface it bonds |
| Gorilla Super Glue / Gel | Cyanoacrylate | Won't hold. Brief tack, then peels |
| Gorilla Clear Grip | Clear contact adhesive | Not listed for silicone. Expect a weak, peelable bond |
| Gorilla Epoxy | Two-part epoxy | Won't hold. Epoxy cures rigid and pops off flexible silicone |
| Gorilla 100% Silicone Sealant | Silicone | Bonds to clean silicone. Gorilla rates it for light-duty gluing only |
The only Gorilla product that makes sense on silicone is the one that is silicone itself.
What glue does work on silicone?
Silicone adhesive. Sil-Poxy from Smooth-On is made to bond silicone rubber to silicone. It works with both tin-cure and platinum-cure silicones. It stays flexible after it cures, so the joint can bend with the part. Smooth-On's own users report that results depend on the type of silicone, so try a test spot first.
100% RTV silicone. One-part RTV silicone from the hardware store also bonds to cured silicone. It cures from moisture in the air. Most are tack-free in about an hour and fully cured in about 24 hours. Check the time on your tube.
Not super glue, even with a primer kit. The Loctite Plastics Bonding System uses a primer to help super glue stick to polyethylene and polypropylene. Its data sheet says not to use it on silicone rubber.
How to glue silicone the right way
1. Clean the joint
Wipe both faces with isopropyl alcohol on a lint-free cloth. This removes skin oil and mold release, which both block a bond. Let it dry fully.
2. Scuff glossy surfaces
On a shiny molded part, rub the joint lightly with 220-grit sandpaper. Wipe off the dust with alcohol again.
3. Apply a thin layer
Spread a thin, even layer of silicone adhesive on one face. A thick bead takes longer to cure and stays soft in the middle.
4. Press and hold lightly
Bring the parts together and hold them with tape, a rubber band or a light clamp. Hard clamping squeezes out the adhesive and starves the joint.
5. Wait for the full cure
Leave it alone for the full cure time on the label, often 24 hours. Flexing the part early is the most common reason a silicone repair fails.
If the repair didn't hold
- It peeled off clean. The surface was dirty or had mold release on it. Clean with alcohol, scuff, and try again.
- It's still soft after a day. The layer was too thick, or the air was dry and cold. Give RTV silicone more time in a warm room.
- It tore next to the joint. The bond held but the part was weak. Add a patch on the back to spread the load.
- It's a phone case or a toy that bends a lot. Even a good bond fails if the part flexes hard every day. Replacing it is often the better choice.
Gorilla Glue vs silicone adhesive at a glance
| Gorilla Glue (Original) | Silicone adhesive | |
|---|---|---|
| Sticks to cured silicone | No | Yes |
| Flexible when cured | Somewhat, and it foams | Yes |
| Waterproof | Yes, on surfaces it bonds | Yes |
| Best for | Wood, stone, metal, foam, ceramic | Silicone to silicone, glass, many metals |
For more glue-and-material pairs, see what glue to use on what and our adhesives hub. If you're working with super glue instead, read does super glue work on silicone. For other silicone jobs, see what glue sticks to silicone and the silicone and rubber material page.
What you'll need
- Silicone adhesive (Sil-Poxy) or 100% RTV silicone: Pick one rated for silicone rubber
- Isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth: Removes skin oil and mold release
- Fine sandpaper (220 grit): Optional: scuffs a glossy surface
- Clamps, tape or a rubber band: Light pressure only
- Nitrile gloves: Keeps oil off the joint
Key takeaways
- Cured silicone has a slick, low-energy surface. Most glues can't wet it, so they can't grip it.
- Gorilla Glue is not silicone based. Original Gorilla Glue is polyurethane and Gorilla Super Glue is cyanoacrylate.
- Silicone sticks best to silicone. Use a silicone adhesive (Sil-Poxy) or RTV silicone for silicone repairs.
- Clean the joint with isopropyl alcohol, let it dry, clamp lightly and give it the full cure time.
- If the part flexes, bends or gets hot, a silicone adhesive is the only kind that will keep up.
Questions people ask
Is Gorilla Glue silicone based?
No. Original Gorilla Glue is a polyurethane glue that cures with moisture. Gorilla Super Glue is a cyanoacrylate. Gorilla does sell a separate 100% silicone sealant, which is a different product.
Does Gorilla Glue work on a silicone phone case?
Not for long. The case flexes every time you put it on, and the glue lets go. A small dab of silicone adhesive works better for a torn case. For a case that has split, a new case is often the better fix.
Can Gorilla Glue be used on rubber?
On many natural and synthetic rubbers, yes. Gorilla says not to use Original Gorilla Glue on rubber with high oil or plasticizer content. Silicone rubber is a different material and needs a silicone adhesive.
Does Krazy Glue work on silicone?
No. Krazy Glue is a cyanoacrylate super glue, like Gorilla Super Glue. It may tack for a moment but won't hold on cured silicone.
Will silicone caulk stick to old silicone?
New silicone bonds to clean, fully cured old silicone better than any other sealant does. Cut away loose material first, then clean the old bead with isopropyl alcohol.
Sources
- Original Gorilla Glue: product page and FAQ (Gorilla Glue Company)
- Gorilla Super Glue Gel: product page and FAQ (Gorilla Glue Company)
- Gorilla 100% Silicone Sealant: product page and FAQ (Gorilla Glue Company)
- Sil-Poxy silicone rubber adhesive (Smooth-On)
- LOCTITE Plastics Bonding System technical data sheet (Henkel)
- Enhancing silicone adhesion (Fastenal Blueprint)
Change log: Nov 6, 2026: Rewritten from the 2023 archive post: verdict first, manufacturer sources added, test plan marked.