The UV Liquid Plastic Welder Some Are Saying Works Better Than The Strongest Glue

There are all kinds of useful glues worth keeping around the house, but they pretty much all have one common problem. If you're not careful, you end up spilling them and gluing stuff you didn't want to (like your hands). There's an alternative called Bondic that isn't like other glues. It's a liquid adhesive that doesn't get tacky until it's activated by UV light, so it doesn't stick until you want it to. Not only is it more controllable, but some people think it works better than even the strongest glue. So does it live up to the hype? Let's investigate.

Bondic comes in a small metal box. Inside, cushioned in foam, is what looks a bit like a high-tech pen. In fact, there are two parts: a tube of Bondic's special fluid and the UV activator light. It is applied much like superglue, usually needing just a few drops on the area to be joined. Once it has been applied, the UV light is shone on the area. According to the manufacturer, it hardens in as little as four seconds. Bondic is non-toxic, waterproof, and heat-resistant from -40°C to 150°C (-40°F to 302°F), and it won't crack, break, or fall apart. In its listing on Amazon, where a pack costs $23.95, Bondic says it can "fix virtually anything," including plastic, metal, fabric, wood, and rubber.

Bondic claims its product has superior bonding strength to superglue. It also says it's safe for kids but recommends they be over 12. For younger children, you can make a sustainable homemade glue that's probably a better alternative.

For some unbiased feedback on Bondic's performance, we checked customer comments on Amazon. June McCracken said, "This stuff is amazing!" Arnold thought it was a "great adhesive" and added, "UV light helped it cure in a matter of seconds." Not everyone agreed. Natawhat said, "You're better with superglue," and Anthony thought it was "overpriced" and "underperforming." However, with so many modern synthetics around, it's almost impossible to find a single glue that works for everything. There were also reviewers who didn't think you get a large enough amount for the money, although Bondic is intended only for small repairs.

In terms of joining strength, Bondic's biggest rival is probably E6000, which is a popular glue choice to keep at home and is also considered stronger than superglue. Over at Amazon, you can get a 1-ounce tube of E6000 for $15.99, which is less than Bondic right now. However, on top of potential problems with mess, E6000 has some fairly strong safety warnings. It's impossible to tell if one is better than the other without doing direct comparisons on exactly the same task, but Bondic does seem at least as versatile as its competitors and easier to use than most. The next time you have a challenging repair, it could well be worth a try.