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E6000 is loved by crafters, makers, and DIYers alike, as proven by the ratings of the product. This unique adhesive has all the sticking power of a regular glue, but some strange and unique properties that make it especially good for arts and crafts and DIY repairs.
Table of Contents
Quick Overview
E6000 is a completely waterproof rubber-based adhesive, which remains super flexible and stretchy once it’s cured.It has an exceptional adhesion for your craft project.
It’s super strong and can bond to almost any material, including materials like glass, ceramics, and plastic, which some other glues struggle with.
E6000 is beloved by arts and crafts enthusiasts as well as DIYers for its unique versatility.
It’s great for use outdoors or indoors, is completely waterproof, and resists extreme temperatures.
E6000 is perfect for gluing patches to clothes and backpacks, altering clothes, repairing shoes, and any other fabric application. It’s available in several color options and remains completely flexible once cured (so it can flex with your clothing), it’s washer and dryer safe and resistant to extreme temperatures (both hot and cold).
Pros and Cons:
Pros
- Extremely strong
- Fully waterproof
- Available in Black, White, and Clear
- Can be painted over
- Copes with extreme temperatures
- Super stretchy and flexible once cured
- Works on fabrics (flexible + strong)
- Washer and Dryer safe
- Works well for Jewelry
- Sticks to almost any surface
Cons
- Strong fumes while drying
- Messy
Click here to view the current price on Amazon!
Product Features
E6000 is a unique rubber-based adhesive. It’s nothing like regular glues and has some unique properties that allow E6000 to excel where other glues fail.
Industrial Strength
E6000 is widely used because of the flexibility and versatility of the cured glue, however, it’s also extremely strong, even on smooth surfaces like glass or metal.
E6000 has a tensile strength of 3,500 lbs/in², and a bond strength of between 34 and 45 pounds per linear inch (pli), depending on the material. (Glass = 34pli, PVC Plastic = 38pli, Wood=40 pli, Steel = 45pli.)
Flexible and Versatile
E6000 doesn’t turn rock solid once it’s cured. Instead, it stays as a stretchy, flexible strong rubber which bonds with almost any surface it’s applied to.
According to the manufacturer, the cured material can be stretched to 9 times its original length.
This incredible flexibility makes E6000 perfect for applications where a more brittle glue like a CA superglue would break or crack, such as in fabrics and clothes, shoes, jewelry, etc.
Extreme Durability
E6000 has been specially formulated for industrial environments, giving it unmatched durability and utility.
E6000 is:
- Abrasion resistant
- can withstand extreme temperatures (from -40°F to +82°F)
- Suitable for outdoors or indoors use
- UV resistant
- Non Flammable
- Safe for Washers and Dryers
- Completely waterproof
- Does not crack or break when flexed or stretched
How to use E6000 (Instructions)
E6000 is extremely useful and versatile, but it’s not as easy to use as some other glues. It’s messy, takes a long time to cure, and tends to seal itself in the bottle if you don’t clean it properly before storing it.
1: Prepare the surface for E6000
Make sure the surface is clean and dry, and if the surface is smooth like plastic or glass, consider roughing it up a bit with sandpaper for a better bond. Any dust or oil on your surface will prevent the E6000 from forming a strong bond.
Ensure you use E6000 in a well-ventilated area, as the fumes are smelly and are nasty to breathe in.
2: Take off the cap and puncture the foil
There is a foil seal inside the tube. When you remove the cap for the first time, you have to use the pointy bit on the back of the cap to puncture the foil before you can use it.
Keep the cap somewhere handy, because this stuff is messy and you will want to replace the cap quickly to prevent any spills.
3: Apply to surface to be bonded/repaired
You can either apply the E6000 directly, but the nozzle isn’t very precise, so it’s not ideal for intricate work like Jewelry.
If you need a more precise applicator, one tip is to put a little bit of the glue onto a spare piece of paper or card and use a toothpick or an old pen or something to get a very precise and clean spot of glue.
4: Allow 24 hours for the glue to cure
E6000 starts to set after only 30 minutes, however, the manufacturer recommends you leave 24 hours to give the glue a chance to cure.
Depending on the amount of glue you use, the temperature and humidity of your working environment, and the surface material you are bonding, it may take up to 72 hours to reach full strength.
5: Clean the glue nozzle and cap before storage
The worst thing about E6000 is just how messy it is.
The nozzle of the cap isn’t that useful for small repairs, and because it comes in a simple aluminum tube it kind of has a mind of its own!
If you get any glue on the nozzle or especially on the threads on the cap, make sure to clean it off before you put the cap back on. If you allow the E6000 to solidify in the cap, you will have a terrible time when you need to use it next.
Tip from the manufacturer:
Apply a little petroleum jelly (vaseline) to the metal threads on the cap nozzle before reapplying the cap. This will prevent any glue from sticking to the threads when you store it.
What Materials does E6000 work on?
E6000 works on almost anything, indoors or outdoors.
Below is a list that should give you an idea of what materials E6000 works on, and what it won’t work too well on.
If you want to know about a material that’s not on the list, I recommend you check out the customer reviews on Amazon.
E6000 works well for:
- Wood
- Metal
- Glass
- Rubber
- Fiberglass
- Ceramics
- Masonry
- Fabric
- Most Plastics
- Concrete
- Leather
- Rubber
- Vinyl
E6000 doesn’t bond to:
- HDPE/LDPE Plastic
- Polystyrene Foam
- Polypropylene Plastic
- PTFE (Teflon)
Click here to read customer reviews on Amazon
FAQs
Is E6000 an Epoxy?
E6000 is not an epoxy.
E6000 is a synthetic adhesive.
What is E6000 made of?
E6000 is made from tetrachloroethylene, which is a synthetic adhesive regularly used in the space, aerospace and engineering industries.
Is E6000 Silicone?
E6000 is not silicone-based.
Is E6000 Conductive? (Does E6000 Conduct Electricity?)
E6000 is an electrical insulator, which means it does not conduct electricity.
According to the manufacturer, E6000 can withstand a voltage of up to 400 Volts without breaking down.
Is E6000 Fuel Resistant?
E6000 is NOT fuel resistant. E6000 stands up to many chemicals and acids (including motor oil), but Gasoline, Chevron Solvent, Acetone, and Tolulene will all dissolve it.
Is E6000 Washable?
E6000 is flexible, waterproof, and heatproof, so it’s perfectly fine in the washer.
If you’ve used E6000 to repair or mend your clothes, make sure you leave it for a full 72 hours before you put it in the washer or dryer, to make sure it’s fully cured.
How long does E6000 take to dry?
According to the manufacturer, a thin film will start to develop on the surface of E6000 after only 30 minutes, however, you should leave a full 24 hours for it to dry.
Depending on the amount of glue you used, along with the surface material and the temperature and humidity of your working environment, it may take up to 72 hours for the bond to reach maximum strength.
Is E6000 the same as Goop? (E6000 vs Goop)
Both E6000 and Goop are manufactured by Eclectic Products and are fundamentally made of the same material. The difference between E6000 and Goop is the viscosity. E6000 is a bit runner, and is self-leveling, whereas Goop is a bit thicker.
In addition, E6000 is available in black, white, and clear options while Goop is mostly clear. (There are a few specialist colored variants)
Check out my full review of all types of Goop and the difference between them here.
How to remove E6000
E6000 is a strong adhesive, so it can be difficult to repair, but with the right tools, it’s definitely possible.
To remove E6000 from your skin:
Soak the affected skin in warm, soapy water and gently scrub. Don’t be too forceful, and don’t try to pull the skin apart by force or you may injure yourself.
E6000 will usually still be wet when it gets on your skin since it takes several hours to dry. If the glue is still wet, you can wipe it up with a damp cloth.
To remove E6000 from a hard surface:
If you need to remove E6000 from a surface like glass or stone, the easiest way is just to pull it off with brute force. Grab some pliers and pull it off, it will peel away.
To remove E6000 from porous surfaces or fabric:
To remove E6000 from porous surfaces like fabric, leather, or wood, or if there are still little bits of E6000 left over after removing from a smooth surface, you will need to use a solvent.
The easiest solvents to get a hold of for E6000 are acetone and plain old gasoline.
Acetone can be found in most household nailpolish removers.
To remove E6000 from fabric, you may want to try Naptha solvent, as it is less likely to damage your clothes than Acetone.
Is E6000 good for Leather?
E6000 works very well on leather, because leather is porous, allowing the glue to seep into the pores.
It’s great for decorating or repairing leather clothing items and shoes.
Is E6000 Flexible?
Yes, of course! One of the greatest selling points of E6000 is its flexibility.
E6000 can stretch up to 9 times its original size once it’s fully cured but is still strong and durable enough to be used for heavy-duty repairs.
Is E6000 good for Fabric?
E6000 is great for fabric because it’s flexible, completely waterproof, washer and dryer safe, and available in several color options.
Is E6000 toxic?
E6000 gives off dangerous fumes while it is drying. In addition, it is not certified as non-toxic or food-safe, so it’s not for kids.
Once it’s dry, it doesn’t smell of anything and is chemically inert.
Is E6000 Waterproof?
E6000 is not only waterproof, but it’s also VERY waterproof.
Many adhesives companies claim their glues are suitable for outdoor and indoor use, but in the fine print you will learn they are not recommended for constant contact with water.
With E6000, you could leave this stuff at the bottom of the ocean for 10 years and it would still hold strong.
E6000 is 100% completely waterproof, flexible, and heat resistant (both extreme cold and extreme heat).
What is E6000 used for?
E6000 is extremely versatile. It’s used often in arts and crafts, but it’s also useful in several other settings including outdoors repairs, vehicle repairs, clothing manufacturing, and even in the aerospace industry.
The unique featuresof E6000 make it perfect for lots of applications where a regular glue just wouldn’t work.
E6000 Data Sheets (MSDS and TDS)
Here are the technical data sheet (TDS) and the safety data sheet (MSDS) for E6000.
The sheets are the same for the white, clear, and black versions!
E6000 Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
E6000 Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
