2021 test12 productsAdhesives, Glue & Tape
Which Epoxy Putty Brand Wins?
We compared 12 epoxy putty options head to head. JB Weld came out on top. See the measured results, the runner-up, the budget pick, and a link to the full test video.
Winner
JB Weld
Price shown in test: $4.98 for 2 oz, $2.49 per oz
Check price on Amazon
Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
The measured results
Every number below is read straight from the test. Scroll sideways to see all measurements. Products are listed in the order they finished.
| Product | Tap/pullout strength avg (lb, 3 samples) | Compressive strength (1in cube) | Pipe repair burst pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1JB Weld Steel Stick$4.98 for 2 oz, $2.49 per oz | 1268, 1270, 1253 lb, avg about 1,264 lb, 2nd place overall behind KBS NuMetal | 1,250 PSI, 1st place overall, equivalent to 3,925 lb | 2,100 PSI, 2nd place overall behind PC-7 |
| 2KBS NuMetal New Metal Epoxy Putty$22.95 for 16 oz, $1.43 per oz | 1623, 1609, 1614 lb, avg about 1,615 lb, 1st place overall | 850 PSI, tied 4th/5th overall with QuikSteel, equivalent to 2,669 lb | 1,050 PSI |
| 3Hercules Pro Epoxy 20$18.16 for 4 oz, $4.54 per oz | 1257, 1265, 1220 lb, avg about 1,247 lb, 3rd place overall | 1,125 PSI, 3rd place overall, equivalent to 3,533 lb | 1,750 PSI, 4th place overall |
| 4PC-7$12.70, $0.79 per oz | 886, 988, 988 lb, avg about 954 lb, 5th place overall | 1,225 PSI, 2nd place overall, equivalent to 3,847 lb | began leaking at 4,000 PSI (1st place, used as the ranking figure) but did not catastrophically fail until a little over 5,000 PSI |
| 5QuikSteel Steel Reinforced Epoxy Putty Metal Repair$6.35 for 2 oz, $3.18 per oz | 993, 964, 856 lb, avg about 938 lb | 850 PSI, tied 4th/5th overall with KBS NuMetal, equivalent to 2,669 lb | 2,000 PSI, 3rd place overall |
| 6Loctite Repair Putty$7.98 for 2 oz, $3.99 per oz | 424, 479, 400 lb, avg about 434 lb | 300 PSI | 1,400 PSI, 5th place overall |
| 7Gorilla All Purpose Epoxy Stick$6.99, $3.50 per oz | 819, 899, 838 lb, avg about 852 lb | 750 PSI, described as much better than average but not enough to lead | 1,075 PSI |
| 8Oatey all-purpose bonding putty$6.94 for 4 oz, $1.74 per oz | 1131, 908, 1010 lb, avg about 1,016 lb, 4th place overall | 500 PSI | 800 PSI, pipe burst with a large chunk blown off intact |
| 9EP400 epoxy putty$11.99 for 4 oz, $3.00 per oz | 375, 328, 339 lb, avg about 347 lb | 500 PSI | 1,075 PSI, tied with Gorilla, described as above average |
| 10POR-15$32.28 for 16 oz, $2.02 per oz | 656, 481, 530 lb, avg about 556 lb, described as really struggling | 500 PSI, tied with Oatey and EP400 | 975 PSI |
| 11Pratley Steel Putty$8.95 for 2 oz, $4.48 per oz | 452, 401, 452 lb, avg about 435 lb | 125 PSI, described as really struggling | 50 PSI, worst of all 12 brands, began leaking almost immediately after pressure was applied |
| 12A+B epoxy putty$18.13 for 7 oz, $2.59 per oz | 292, 316, 206 lb, avg about 271 lb, more than 1,000 lb below the leader | 200 PSI, worst of all 12 brands | 375 PSI, described as struggling once again |
How it was tested
- tap and thread pullout strength on PVC end caps, 3 samples per brand (lb of force)
- compressive strength of a 1in x 1in cured epoxy cube (PSI, converted to lb-equivalent via formula)
- pipe repair: drilled hole patched with epoxy putty, pressurized until burst (PSI)
- cylinder head repair durability under 30 minutes of engine operation and after 48hr cure (QuikSteel only, not head-to-head)
- chain repair strength test under vehicle-pulling load (practical demo, ultimately a multi-brand combined repair, not a clean single-brand comparison)
“Really impressed with some of these brands including JB Weld, which definitely came out on top overall, especially when you consider the value price.”