Best Epoxy for Metal [2024 Review]

Regardless of the project, finding the best epoxy for steel and other metals is no small task.

The variety of metalworking applications for epoxies means there are hundreds of specialized products competing for attention.

We’ve broken down the features and specs of the best epoxies for your consideration.

Top Epoxy for Metal Reviews

We have done the legwork and pulled together both top brands and trusted products among metal workers and hobbyists. Epoxy adhesives that specialize in metal-to-metal bonding are famous for their durability through a myriad of conditions and over long periods.

The best of the best needs to exhibit high resistance to water, heat, and chemicals in addition to retaining strength regardless of the metal involved. My top picks for best metal to metal epoxy make for close competition, but narrow down the choices from the entire market of epoxies.

Best Overall Epoxy for Metal: J-B Weld Original Cold-Weld Steel Reinforced Epoxy

Taking the award for the best epoxy for metal is J-B Weld 8265S for its increased resistances compared to the Gorilla and Hy-Poxy epoxies on my list. J-B Weld’s reputation for quality in the industry motivated me to include not only the 8265S but also the cheaper and faster-bonding J-B 50139.

When paired with an excellent epoxy primer, you can tackle any complicated project with this product — the best epoxy for steel I found online.

Product Specs

This J-B Weld Reinforced Epoxy includes 2 fluid ounces per purchase, making it a bit more expensive than the Hy-Poxy product, but more affordable than all the other epoxies that made my list.

Feature Highlights

• Pro: It is capable of withstanding the extreme conditions of 550 degrees Fahrenheit heat, water exposure, petroleum, acids, and workshop chemicals. Compared to other metal epoxies on my list that don’t advertise high-temperature resistance, this is a big selling point.
• Pro: Its strength is greater than any other product on this list, rated at 5020 PSI. It is capable of the highest performance even compared to the second-strongest J-B Weld 50139, which measures in at 3770 PSI.
• Con: This product is difficult to remove, even from unintended surfaces. Because of the bonded product’s strength and its resistance to chemicals, you will need to be careful not to get this resin on your skin. The Gorilla epoxy is easier to remove than the other options if this is a concern for you..

Best Value: Devcon 62345 Plastic Steel Epoxy

Devcon’s 62345 is the best metal-to-metal epoxy on the list by cost per fluid ounce combined with strength rating. By offering features like rust resistance and temperature hardiness without sacrificing quality, this epoxy even beats out the cheaper Hy-Poxy H-159 in value. 

You can optimize the amount of epoxy you purchase thanks to multiple milliliter packs available — an option that other epoxies sadly don’t take advantage of.

Product Specs

This product comes in a black color tube with different size options from This product has a handling time limit of 60 minutes and takes 6 hours to set, making it slower than almost any other epoxy on my list.

The Devcon epoxy will typically cure between 16 and 24 hours, which doesn’t set it far apart from the J-B Weld Original, taking one extra hour at its fastest estimate.

Feature Highlights

• Pro: It is made using a steel alloy that doesn’t rust, increasing longevity when adhering to a wider variety of metals than other epoxies on this list.
• Pro: It is non-flammable and water-resistant. It doesn’t have the underwater convenience of the Hy-Poxy H-159, but that feature is less widespread than overall water resistance.
• Con: It is capable of handling 2600 PSI, making it the weakest of any of my recommended epoxies.

Best Budget: J-B Weld 50139 Plastic Bonder Body Panel Adhesive and Gap Filler Syringe

J-B Weld successfully makes another entry to the list with the 50139 Plastic Bonder. This adhesive gap filler is the perfect budget epoxy for metal surfaces because it is cheaper than the J-B Weld 8265S while still providing similar benefits.

Product Specs

The 50139 comes in a syringe-style package for easy application, similar to the Gorilla epoxy. It’s much easier to apply compared to the basic qualities of the Hy-Poxy putty, as an example. 

This is one of the best epoxies for stainless steel thanks to a combination of quick set time and competitive strength.

Feature Highlights

• Pro: It has an excellent strength rating and set of features for its price. Although it is slightly more expensive than the Hy-Poxy per fluid ounce, it is compatible with more materials and has more user-friendly packaging.
• Pro: Resealing the product is easier than the can-style packaging of the Hy-Poxy product, making it hard for air to dry out the unused portion.
• Con: This product is mixed as a two-part adhesive, incorporating mix-time into the set-up process, much like the Gorilla and Devcon epoxies. Only the Hy-Poxy offers an immediately ready-to-use solution.

Best Epoxy Putty: Hy-Poxy H-159 Steelfast Rapid Cure Steel Filled Epoxy Putty

Hy-Poxy’s H-159 is an excellent rapid cure putty that is great for metal and stainless steel projects, even those that need to stand up to underwater conditions.

Being a putty makes it easier to handle than the Devcon and similar products by cutting out mixing entirely.

The best epoxy putty includes the malleability that the other products lack. You can further customize a project after applying putty by sanding, drilling, or tapping it, which is an option you lose out on with my less-resistant products.

Product Specs

This product offers the most volume per dollar of any recommendation on my list. Although the strength of this epoxy pales in comparison to essentially all the others, you can easily apply more without wasting money.

Feature Highlights

• Pro: Products the J-B Weld 8265S can be used underwater, but the Hy-Poxy guarantees usability for more than just water resistance.
• Pro: The H-159 has a speedy hardening process compared to others on this list, like the Devcon, which makes epoxy mistakes a little less costly.
• Con: This product dries out quickly when not tightly sealed. Other epoxies on this list have more advanced containers, like the syringe models, that make this accidental hardening easier to avoid.

Someone using the H-159 should be careful to limit the time from the product leaving the tube to being applied, or else the product will be useless and dried out.

Best Epoxy for East of Use: Gorilla 2 Part Epoxy, 5 Minute Set

The Gorilla 2 Part Epoxy set is an excellent combination of efficient usage and fast application. It applies to as many materials as the J-B Weld products and cuts down on their set times significantly.

Its 5-minute quick set is excellent for reducing your exposure time to possible health risks associated with epoxies and resins.

This shorter 5-minute set time is excellent for reducing your exposure time to possible health risks associated with epoxies and resins. Despite this very quick interval, it retains an impressive 3300 PSI strength rating, just barely losing to the J-B Weld 50139.

Product Specs

This product comes in a syringe-style package, like the Devcon and J-B Weld 50139. It thankfully includes more varied buying options for maximizing cost-effectiveness based on your projects.

Feature Highlights

• Pro: This product dries clear, taking advantage of industry standards to avoid interfering with the look of your household or automotive repairs. All of the other epoxies I recommend dry into a shade of gray or black, unfortunately.
• Pro: It has a five-minute set time, making it the quickest of any on my list. The closest set time still takes three times as long to finish before curing.
• Con: Because of how quickly the product sets, you may want to practice something to make sure you have it down before accidentally ruining a critical project. This Gorilla epoxy presents a unique problem because of that feature.

Epoxy Features to Consider

The type of project and your familiarity with epoxy and metal bonding will influence what factors are most important when shopping around. Some of the most common features of epoxies focus on the pain points of welding and brazing. 

These features make the best epoxy for stainless steel and other metals stand out.

Overall Application Time

An essential factor in making the most out of the best epoxy for steel or other metals is how long the product will take to prep, set, and cure.

The five-minute set time of the Gorilla epoxy is nearly impossible to beat, and the fastest of my recommendations.

Cure times commonly take as long as an entire day, so finding quicker epoxies is relatively rare when working with metals.

Strength Measurements

Many products on the market will advertise in generic terms like “high strength” or “powerful adhesive force.” While they sound nice in theory, epoxies are measuring practically in pounds per square inch (PSI) that the epoxy can resist.

Our strongest recommendation, the J-B Weld Original, can handle 5020 PSI, which becomes more necessary for automotive projects and other heavy-duty fixes. Even the weakest of my recommendations, the Devcon epoxy, is capable of supporting 2600 PSI.

Frequently Asked Questions

We want to take a minute to answer some of the important questions you might have about the application of epoxies and post-care.

Final Thoughts

These top-ranking epoxies rise above the rest to deliver the best epoxy for steel performance you will find. Consider their best qualities to find the right one for your budget and personal situation, and you will be all set for success.