Review: The Best Rubber Cement

Slime's 1 oz rubber cement is a focused, inexpensive solution for puncture repairs and small rubber bonding tasks. Packaged in a squeeze tube, it minimizes mess and is easy to apply around a puncture before inserting a plug or patch. In our tire-repair tests it provided adequate tack and held paired plugs/patches securely for routine use. Technical limits: it's a small-volume product (1 fl oz) intended for repair rather than craft/photo preservation—don't expect repositionability or photo-safe claims. Pros: extremely affordable, portable, straightforward to use for tire and rubber repairs. Cons: limited quantity, not formulated for archival photo work or wrinkle-free paper mounting, and not labeled for water/weather resistance beyond basic repair usage.

Vereclue's 17 oz chemical vulcanizing cement is aimed at demanding tire and rubber-repair jobs. Unlike standard contact cements, this formula promotes vulcanization at or near room temperature, which creates a true chemical bond between rubber surfaces and patches. The attached brush-top can and high-solids formula make coverage quick on larger repairs; recommended cure times (follow manufacturer guidance) produce a durable, near-permanent bond. In hands-on repair trials it outperformed simple contact adhesives in permanence and resistance to delamination under stress. Pros: robust, purpose-built for tire/inner-tube work, large volume for repeated repairs. Cons: stronger solvent presence (ventilation required), not targeted at delicate paper/photography work, and heavier-duty chemistry may be overkill for casual crafting.

Gorilla's rubber cement (pack of two 4 fl oz bottles with brush applicators) strikes a practical balance between cost, convenience, and trusted formulation. It brushes on smoothly, dries clear without wrinkling, and is marketed as photo-safe and non-yellowing—attributes we verified in paper/photo mounting tests where the finish remained flat and color-neutral. The dual-bottle pack increases value for crafters who work on multiple projects. Application is tidy thanks to the included brush, and removal of excess cement is straightforward on porous surfaces. Pros: well-known brand reliability, brush-in-cap convenience, clear/flat drying, good value in a two-pack. Cons: not designed for heavy rubber vulcanization or demanding outdoor exposures—stick to crafts and light repairs.

Nozerix’s 110 ml rubber cement was the most versatile performer across craft and photo tasks. Its formula spreads evenly, dries transparent without yellowing, and gives a useful reposition window which we appreciated when aligning photos and layered paper elements. The cured bond is flexible rather than brittle—helpful for transfers and mixed-media where some give is required. It also aims at photo-safety and long-term stability; in short-term accelerated checks it showed no staining or cloudiness. While not a heavy-duty tire vulcanizing product, it excels for archival-minded crafters who need tidy finishes and forgiving working time. Pros: repositionable, wrinkle-free, clear drying and flexible hold. Cons: moderate size (110 ml) — hobbyists who do large projects may prefer larger cans.