Contact Cement vs. Rubber Cement: what’s the difference?
If you ever need to attach a piece of trim, like where I’m using 
an aluminum edge trim on a wooden trailer, you’ll need contact cement; What about rubber cement? You can remove it, scrape it off, and re-position items until it dries. Oddly enough it also works great on scars.
Rubber Cement vs Contact Cement: Specs & Uses
🌡️Temperature Resistance
Contact Cement: Up to 180°F
Rubber Cement: 115°F
🆚Best Materials
Contact Cement: High-pressure laminates, wood, plastics, leather, fabrics, rubber, paper, cardboard, metals, concrete
Rubber Cement: Paper, cardboard, felt, fabric, foam, photos, wood
🛠️Common Uses
Contact Cement is ideal for securing laminate sheets to countertops; bond pool table bumpers to the rails; Repair rubber or leather shoe midsoles and outsoles; bond a deck pad to your paddleboard; Attach a rubber mat to plywood surfaces; bond stainless steel sheets to wood surfaces.
Rubber Cement provides a reliable adhesive for various paper-based projects; surprisingly, it can also be used as a scar concealer.
Technical Info
My Test on DAP Weldwood Original Contact Cement
✅Pros: Contact Cement With Brush
This method also applies to RVs, as well as home steps when you need to glue a wooden, aluminum, or metal edge piece.
First, you’ll need the Weldwood Original Contact Cement, which is a versatile adhesive that bonds well. Apply two coats of the cement on both sides of the surfaces you want to join. This not only ensures a strong bond but also seals the end grain of the wood or, in this case, the edge of the OSP.
Once you’ve applied the cement, carefully place the trim on the desired spot and apply some pressure to secure it. Let it dry for approximately 20 minutes after applying two coats. Using this method, the trim will not come off easily. Trust me, I’ve tested it thoroughly. It’s a great product that delivers excellent results.
Contact Cement Vs. Super Glue
Contact Cement is better for porous materials and offers a longer open time but takes longer to reach full strength. Super Glue sets faster and can bond a wider range of materials but has a shorter shelf life.
Fixed Martinsville Dresser
I had an old American of Martinsville dresser in my family, and its top had suffered water damage from potted plants. Since the thin veneer had lifted, cracked, and chipped in one area, I decided to re-veneer the top. I filled in the missing veneer sections of the dresser with 
bondo (see in bondo vs jb weld) and sanded the top. Cut the veneer to size, leaving a 1/2″ extra edge, and then applied this Dap Weldwood Contact Cement. The bonding strength of this glue is impressive. Once it’s stuck on, it becomes permanent.
Leather Work
Contact Cement for Cosplay
I was using leather gloves that I really loved across multiple cosplays and didn’t want to ruin them. I lightly tacked a base of velcro to the back of the hand (through pre-existing design holes in the leather), and used contact cement to affix the matching piece on the inside of the hand armor.
When this character is done with the gloves, I can snip the tackings and still have the gloves for the other costumes that need them.
❌Cons: Contact Cement
While the product itself is excellent, I must admit that the warnings on the label caught my attention. It’s important to turn off pilot lights on stoves and furnaces before using contact cement due to its flammable vapors. To ensure safety, I take precautions such as using an air filter with a VOC filter, setting up exhaust fans and tower fans, and opening windows for proper ventilation. The strong odor can be overwhelming, even with adequate airflow, so I recommend working on small projects or finding a suitable storage solution that avoids exposure to heat or confined spaces.
FAQ of DAP Weldwood Original Contact Cement
Q: How much surface area can a single point cover when using it for laminate countertops?
A: One coat goes a long way. I was able to cover an area measuring 24 inches x 18 inches and still had 3/4 of the can left over.
Q: How should I mix Contact Cement?
A: No mixing is required.
Q: Will this glue bond a dense rubber parking block to concrete?
A: Some users have recommended construction adhesive, particularly Gorilla Heavy Duty Construction Adhesive, for this type of application. Alternatively, you may want to consider using concrete anchors.
Q: I want to attach a 1/8-inch thick rubber mat to plywood. Will Contact Cement work?
A: Contact Cement would be a good choice for attaching rubber to wood.
Q: Can I use Contact Cement to glue two pieces of polyethylene together?
A: I’m not an expert, but you could try purchasing a smaller bottle to test it out.
Q: Will Contact Cement work for typical bicycle or dolly/cart inner tube tire patches?
A: I don’t think it’s strong enough for that purpose.
Q: I’m adhering a sheet of 24g stainless steel to wood. Does rubber cement work on wood? Also, how strong is the smell, and how quickly does it dissipate? I’ll be working in an elevator.
A: I used Contact Cement to bond two sheets of stainless steel together on a commercial bar back in 2004, and it’s still holding strong. The smell is quite strong, so make sure you have good ventilation. Also, be sure to keep the top tightly sealed, or the glue may become thick and unusable.
A: Contact Cement is great for cementing leather to leather. I don’t know of any better product for that purpose.
Q: Can DAP glue cork to a glass surface, such as wine corks to a glass?
A: Yes, it can bond cork to glass, but if there’s any heat exposure, the corks might come off. For a more reliable bond, I would recommend using a two-part epoxy.
Q: Can this cement be sprayed using an upholstery glue spray gun
A: The DAP adhesive you mentioned is not typically designed to be sprayed using an upholstery glue spray gun. It is best applied using a brush or a spreader. If you need to spray an adhesive, I would recommend looking for a specific spray adhesive designed for upholstery applications.
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My Test on Elmer’s Rubber Cement(Contact Cement vs. Rubber Cement)
✅Pros: Elmer’s No Wrinkle Rubber Cement
Allow the rubber cement to dry for approximately 30 to 40 minutes, or up to an hour if you’ve applied a thick layer.
Rubber cement is crazy. You can remove it, scrape it off, and re-position items until it dries. Oddly enough it also works great on scars. If you have a recessed scar, brush some over it, and let dry. Then put makeup over it and the scar blends away because it is flush at the skin surface.
Performance
As for its performance, rubber cement works exceptionally well. What sets it apart is the ability to remove and reposition items even after it dries. Surprisingly, I also found another use for it.
It works wonders on scars! By brushing some over a recessed scar and letting it dry, I could then apply makeup, and the scar would blend away seamlessly, thanks to the flush surface it creates.
❌Cons: Dried Rubber Cement
It’s important to note that it can dry up in the bottle if not used frequently.
Is Rubber Cement Permanent? How to Remove Rubber Cement?
Rubber cement is not considered permanent as it can be removed with solvents or by peeling it off.
FAQ of Elmer’s Rubber Cement
Q: Can the excess of this paper glue be easily removed by rubbing it with your finger?
A: Absolutely! However, it’s worth noting that while it may not completely rub off paper, it does come off hard surfaces quite easily.
Q: Have you had any experience using Elmer’s glue for bonding rubber materials?
A: Indeed, I have used Elmer’s glue for cementing rubber, and it has served me well.
I’m Ronald Stevens, a Mechanical Engineer obsessed with adhesives, glue, and all things sticky! My passion began in childhood when I’d always be the one playing with glue during arts and crafts. And I’d spend hours researching and experimenting. Happy reading, and remember: stick with the best, and you’ll never be stuck in a mess!
Feel free to contact me and join our discussion:
Can Contact Cement effectively bond pool table bumpers to the rails?
Yes, as long as the surfaces to be bonded are smooth. Avoid using it on fabric, and be prepared to clean up any excess as it dries yellow.
Can I use Contact Cement to bond a deck pad to a paddleboard and make it waterproof?
I believe this contact glue will hold up in saltwater. Make sure to read the directions and remove any wax from the board's surface.