Walk into any hardware store and you will find an entire wall of adhesives — but when it comes down to it, most DIYers and mechanics reach for one of two brands: Gorilla Glue or Loctite. Both make excellent products. Neither is universally “better.” The real question is which one is better for the job you are about to do.
Here is the short version: Gorilla Glue dominates raw bonding strength on wood, stone, and ceramic. Loctite owns threadlocking, plastics, and precision specialty applications. For everything in between — super glue, epoxy, general repair — the winner depends on the specific product and the specific material.
This guide will help you pick the right adhesive in under two minutes. We will compare the full product lineups, go head-to-head on the categories that matter, and tell you exactly what we keep in our own workshop drawer. No filler, no fluff — just a clear decision framework so you can buy the right glue and get back to your project.
Quick Decision Guide
If you are in a hurry, start here. This table covers the most common use cases and tells you which brand to grab first.
| Use Case | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
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Gorilla Glue | Gorilla Wood Glue and Original Gorilla Glue both deliver superior wood-to-wood bonds and pass ANSI Type II water resistance |
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Loctite | Loctite Plastics Bonding System is specifically engineered for hard-to-bond plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene |
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Tie | Both offer strong epoxies for metal; Loctite edges ahead if you need threadlocking on fasteners |
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Gorilla Glue | Original polyurethane formula expands into porous materials for a mechanical lock |
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Loctite | Gorilla does not make a threadlocker — Loctite invented the category and dominates it |
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Tie | Gorilla Clear and Loctite Go2 Glue both handle multi-material household fixes well |
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Gorilla Glue | Original Gorilla Glue is 100% waterproof (polyurethane); most Loctite consumer products are water-resistant, not waterproof |
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Loctite (slight edge) | Loctite Ultra Gel Control offers better precision and flexible bond; Gorilla Super Glue is very close |
Now let us dig into the details.
Gorilla Glue Product Lineup
Gorilla Glue started with a single polyurethane adhesive and built an empire around the idea of “strongest glue on the shelf.” Their consumer lineup now covers most adhesive categories. Here are the products you are most likely to encounter.
Original Gorilla Glue (Polyurethane)
The flagship. This is a moisture-activated polyurethane adhesive that bonds wood, stone, metal, ceramic, foam, glass, and more. It expands 3-4x as it cures, filling gaps and creating a mechanical lock in porous materials. It is 100% waterproof and incredibly strong — but it is messy, it foams, and it requires clamping.
Best for: Structural wood joints, outdoor projects, stone and ceramic repair where gap-filling matters.
Gorilla Wood Glue
A PVA-based wood glue that offers a strong, natural-looking bond on hardwoods and softwoods. It passes ANSI/HPVA Type II water-resistance testing, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor wood projects. It does not foam like the original and cleans up with water.
Best for: Furniture building, cabinetry, indoor woodworking, and any project where you do not want foam squeeze-out.
Gorilla Super Glue
A cyanoacrylate (CA) adhesive with an anti-clog cap and fast 10-45 second set time. Available in liquid, gel, and brush-on formulas. It is impact-resistant with a reinforced rubber formulation. Bonds most plastics, metal, wood, ceramic, rubber, leather, and paper.
Best for: Quick fixes on non-porous materials, small parts, and situations where clamping is not practical.
Gorilla Clear Glue
A non-foaming, crystal-clear formula that works on a wide range of materials. It is paintable, waterproof, and does not require moisture activation like the original. Think of it as a more user-friendly version of Original Gorilla Glue with less mess.
Best for: Projects where appearance matters and you need a versatile, clear-drying bond.
Gorilla Epoxy
A two-part epoxy that sets in five minutes and cures to a clear, rigid finish. It bonds steel, aluminum, wood, ceramic, tile, glass, and most plastics. The syringe applicator dispenses equal parts resin and hardener.
Best for: Filling gaps on metal and ceramic repairs, structural bonds where you need working time.
Gorilla Construction Adhesive
A heavy-duty adhesive in a caulk tube designed for construction-scale bonding. Grabs fast, works indoors and outdoors, and bonds most building materials including wood, drywall, concrete, paneling, tile, molding, and trim.
Best for: Subfloor adhesion, trim and molding installation, and any project where you would reach for a caulk gun.
Loctite Product Lineup
Loctite is owned by Henkel and has roots in industrial adhesives. Where Gorilla Glue is the “strong and simple” brand, Loctite is the “right tool for every job” brand. Their product range is massive, covering everything from consumer super glue to industrial-grade anaerobic sealants. Here are the key consumer and workshop products.
Loctite Super Glue (Multiple Formulas)
Loctite makes several cyanoacrylate formulas. The standout is Ultra Gel Control — a rubber-toughened gel that does not run, resists impact, and has a patented side-squeeze applicator for precision. They also make Ultra Liquid Control, Super Glue Glass, and Plastics Bonding System.
Best for: Precision repairs, vertical surfaces (gel formula), glass bonding, and hard-to-bond plastics.
Loctite Go2 Glue
A hybrid adhesive that combines polyurethane and silicone technology. It stays flexible after curing, is waterproof, works indoors and outdoors, and bonds most materials including wood, metal, ceramic, stone, glass, fabric, foam, and some plastics. It dries clear.
Best for: Multi-material household repairs where flexibility and a clean finish matter.
Loctite Epoxy
Loctite offers several two-part epoxies including a quick-set 5-minute formula, a 1-minute instant mix, and heavy-duty options. Their epoxies are widely available and perform well on metal, wood, glass, ceramic, and rigid plastics.
Best for: Metal repair, filling voids, and rigid structural bonds where working time is needed.
Loctite Threadlockers (The Crown Jewel)
This is where Loctite has zero competition from Gorilla Glue. Loctite invented anaerobic threadlocking technology, and their threadlockers remain the industry standard. These are anaerobic adhesives that cure in the absence of air between metal fasteners. The key products:
- Loctite 242 (Blue, Medium Strength): The general-purpose threadlocker. Prevents vibration loosening on fasteners up to 3/4 inch. Removable with hand tools.
- Loctite 243 (Blue, Medium Strength, Oil Tolerant): Same as 242 but works on slightly oily surfaces. The most popular choice for automotive and motorcycle work.
- Loctite 270 (Green, High Strength): Permanent threadlocker for fasteners that should never come loose. Requires heat (above 500 degrees F) to remove.
- Loctite 272 (Red, High Strength, High Temp): Designed for high-temperature applications up to 450 degrees F continuous. Used on exhaust manifold studs, turbo bolts, and similar.
Best for: Any threaded fastener that vibrates, cycles, or needs to stay put. Automotive, motorcycle, bicycle, machinery maintenance.
Head-to-Head Comparisons
Let us put the directly competing products side by side.
Super Glue: Gorilla vs Loctite
| Feature | Gorilla Super Glue Gel | Loctite Ultra Gel Control |
|---|---|---|
| Bond strength | Very high (impact-tough formula) | Very high (rubber-toughened) |
| Set time | 10-45 seconds | 5-30 seconds |
| Precision applicator | Standard nozzle | Patented side-squeeze with precision tip |
| Drip control | Good (gel formula) | Excellent (gel plus applicator design) |
| Flexibility | Moderate | Moderate to high |
| Shelf life after opening | Good (anti-clog cap) | Good (self-piercing cap) |
| Plastic bonding | Most plastics (not PE/PP) | Most plastics; dedicated Plastics Bonding System available for PE/PP |
Verdict: Loctite takes a slight edge here. Both bond equally well on most materials, but the Ultra Gel Control applicator is genuinely better for precision work. If you are fixing a cracked phone case or reattaching a small part, the Loctite applicator makes a real difference. Gorilla Super Glue is not far behind, though — if you already have it, it will do the job just fine.
Epoxy: Gorilla vs Loctite
| Feature | Gorilla Epoxy | Loctite Epoxy (5 Minute) |
|---|---|---|
| Set time | 5 minutes | 5 minutes |
| Full cure | 24 hours | 24 hours |
| Gap filling | Excellent | Good |
| Clarity when cured | Clear | Slightly amber |
| Dispensing | Dual syringe | Dual syringe |
| Sandable and paintable | Yes | Yes |
| Water resistance | Water resistant (not waterproof) | Water resistant |
Verdict: This one is nearly a tie. Gorilla Epoxy cures slightly clearer and fills gaps a bit better. Loctite has more variety in their epoxy line (1-minute, weld, steel-filled). For a general-purpose workshop epoxy, either will serve you well. Pick whichever is on sale.
General Purpose: Gorilla Original vs Loctite Go2
These are not the same type of adhesive, but they compete for the same slot in your toolbox — “the glue I grab when I need something stuck.”
| Feature | Gorilla Original Glue | Loctite Go2 Glue |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | Polyurethane | Polyurethane-silicone hybrid |
| Waterproof | Yes (100%) | Yes |
| Gap filling | Excellent (foaming expansion) | Good |
| Flexibility | Rigid | Flexible |
| Dries clear | No (amber/tan) | Yes |
| Clamping required | Yes (1-2 hours) | No (but helps) |
| Foam and expansion | Yes (3-4x) | No |
| Cleanup | Difficult (cured PU is permanent) | Easier before cure |
Verdict: These serve different needs. Gorilla Original is the stronger, more structural adhesive — use it when maximum bond strength matters and you do not care about aesthetics. Loctite Go2 is the easier, cleaner option — use it for household repairs where flexibility and a clear finish matter more than brute strength.
Where Gorilla Glue Wins
Gorilla Glue has clear advantages in three areas:
Waterproofing
Original Gorilla Glue is a true polyurethane adhesive that is 100% waterproof. Not water-resistant — waterproof. It will hold up fully submerged. If your project lives outdoors, sits near a sink, or will see regular water exposure, Gorilla Glue is the safer bet. Their wood glue also carries ANSI Type II water-resistance certification, which means it handles occasional moisture and humidity without breaking down.
Wood Bonding
Between Gorilla Wood Glue (PVA) and Original Gorilla Glue (polyurethane), Gorilla owns the wood bonding category. Gorilla Wood Glue creates bonds stronger than the wood itself on most species. The Original formula fills gaps in loose-fitting joints. Loctite does not have a dedicated wood glue that competes at this level.
Raw Bonding Strength on Porous Materials
The foaming expansion of Original Gorilla Glue is a genuine advantage on porous and rough surfaces. The foam penetrates into wood grain, stone pores, and ceramic textures, creating a mechanical interlock that adds strength beyond the chemical bond alone. On a rough-cut piece of oak or a broken concrete ornament, this matters.
Where Loctite Wins
Loctite’s strengths are less about brute force and more about precision and specialization.
Threadlocking (No Competition)
If you work on cars, motorcycles, bicycles, or any machinery with threaded fasteners, you need Loctite threadlockers. There is no Gorilla Glue alternative. Gorilla simply does not make a threadlocking product. Blue 242 or 243 should be in every mechanic’s toolbox. Period. Vibration-loosened bolts cause real failures — from annoying rattles to dangerous wheel and brake component separation. A single drop of blue Loctite on a clean bolt costs pennies and prevents hundreds of dollars in potential damage.
Plastics
Loctite’s Plastics Bonding System is specifically designed for hard-to-bond plastics like polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) — the plastics that most adhesives cannot touch. The system includes a primer that activates the plastic surface before bonding. Gorilla Glue does not offer anything equivalent.
Precision Application
Across their super glue line, Loctite consistently offers better applicators and more control. The Ultra Gel Control side-squeeze design is a small thing, but when you are working on a tiny repair or a vertical surface, it is the difference between a clean fix and a mess.
Specialized Formulas
Loctite’s industrial heritage means they have a specialized formula for almost any situation: high-temperature threadlockers, retaining compounds, gasket makers, pipe sealants, and more. If you have a niche bonding problem, Loctite probably has a product designed exactly for it. Gorilla Glue keeps their lineup simpler and more consumer-focused.
What’s in My Workshop Drawer
After years of testing both brands on real projects — from furniture building to motorcycle maintenance to broken-ceramic emergencies — here is what we actually keep stocked and why.
- Gorilla Wood Glue: Our go-to for any wood-to-wood joint. We use it for furniture repairs, cutting board glue-ups, and small woodworking projects. It is strong, clean, and affordable. We have tried Titebond and other PVA glues, and Gorilla Wood Glue holds its own against all of them.
- Original Gorilla Glue: We keep a bottle for outdoor projects and anything involving stone, ceramic, or porous materials where gap-filling matters. We do not reach for it often, but when we need it nothing else works as well. Just remember to dampen one surface before applying — it needs moisture to activate.
- Loctite Ultra Gel Control: Our super glue of choice. The applicator wins us over every time. For quick household fixes — a cracked mug handle, a snapped eyeglass arm, a loose cabinet knob — this is what comes out of the drawer first. The gel formula means it stays where you put it, even on vertical surfaces.
- Loctite 243 Blue Threadlocker: Non-negotiable for any bolt that vibrates. Caliper bolts, handlebar clamps, exhaust clamps, rotor bolts — a drop of blue before every reassembly. We switched from 242 to 243 years ago because of the oil tolerance, and we have never looked back.
- Gorilla Epoxy: Our general-purpose two-part epoxy. We like the clear cure and gap-filling ability. It lives in the drawer for those jobs where super glue is not strong enough and wood glue does not apply.
The honest answer is that we use both brands regularly. They are not interchangeable — they are complementary. Trying to pick just one brand for everything would mean compromising on at least a few jobs. The smart move is to keep the best of each brand on hand and match the adhesive to the material.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is stronger, Gorilla Glue or Loctite?
It depends on the material and the product. On wood and porous materials, Original Gorilla Glue generally provides a stronger bond due to its foaming expansion and mechanical interlock. For super glue applications on non-porous surfaces, both brands offer comparable shear strength. For threadlocking, Loctite is the only real option. There is no single “strongest” answer — it depends on what you are gluing.
Can I use Gorilla Glue or Loctite on plastic?
Both brands bond most common plastics (ABS, PVC, polycarbonate, acrylic). However, for hard-to-bond plastics like polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) — the kind used in storage bins, plastic bags, and many automotive parts — Loctite’s Plastics Bonding System with its surface primer is the better choice. Standard Gorilla Glue and standard Loctite super glue will not hold well on PE or PP without surface preparation.
Are Gorilla Glue and Loctite waterproof?
Original Gorilla Glue (polyurethane) is 100% waterproof and can handle full submersion. Gorilla Wood Glue is water-resistant (ANSI Type II) but not fully waterproof. Most Loctite consumer adhesives (super glue, Go2) are water-resistant but not rated for continuous submersion. For true waterproof bonding, Gorilla’s polyurethane formula is the stronger choice.
Which glue dries clear?
Loctite Ultra Gel Control dries clear. Gorilla Clear Glue dries clear. Gorilla Epoxy cures clear. Original Gorilla Glue does not dry clear — it cures to a tan or amber color and foams during curing. If appearance matters, choose a product specifically labeled as clear-drying from either brand.
Can I use Loctite threadlocker instead of Gorilla Glue on bolts?
These are completely different products for completely different purposes. Loctite threadlockers are anaerobic adhesives designed to fill the microscopic gaps between threads and prevent vibration loosening. Gorilla Glue is a structural adhesive. If you need to keep a bolt from loosening, use a threadlocker. If you need to permanently bond two surfaces together, use a structural adhesive. Do not substitute one for the other.
Bottom line: Do not think of this as Gorilla Glue versus Loctite. Think of it as Gorilla Glue and Loctite. Stock your workshop with the best of both brands, match the adhesive to the material and the job, and you will get stronger, longer-lasting repairs every time.
