For most ABS drain, waste and vent work, use Oatey ABS Medium Black. Oatey’s sheet covers ABS up to 6 in. and prints set times by temperature. In hot, dry weather, Oatey’s Extra Special sets slower. For ABS up to 8 in., Weld-On 773 is rated for it. Don’t prime ABS.
Everyday ABS DWV: Oatey 30902$17.28 at AmazonPrice as of Nov 6, 2026, 5:30 AM EST
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
PlumbingPicks spec score out of 10: how fully each maker documents the cement, from its own data sheets, read Oct 26, 2026. It isn’t a customer rating.
Meets ASTM D2235; NSF 61 and IAPMO listed, per Oatey
Five can sizes, 4 oz to a gallon
3-year shelf life
Cons
Not rated past 6 in.
Non-pressure use only, per Oatey
A quart is a lot for one repair
Medium bodyBlackVOC 325 g/L max500 cps min40 to 110 °F
Buy it if
You’re joining ABS drain, waste and vent pipe up to 6 in. and want a cement with printed set and cure times.
Skip it if
You’re working 8 in. ABS. Oatey rates this one to 6 in.; Weld-On 773 goes to 8 in..
The 30902 is my top pick and scores 10.0. Oatey’s spec sheet answers every check on this page, and it’s the ABS cement with the clearest numbers for the person holding the can.
Oatey describes it as a medium-bodied black cement for all schedules and classes of ABS pipe and fittings up to 6 in. with an interference fit, for non-pressure applications. That’s the DWV, sewer and drain work most ABS goes into.
Set times are the reason it wins. Oatey prints them by temperature: 5 to 6 minutes at 30 to 50 °F, 3 to 4 minutes at 50 to 70 °F and 1 to 2 minutes at 70 to 90 °F. Its directions add 15 minutes for good handling strength, and Oatey’s How To Solvent Weld sheet gives cure times before testing by pipe size.
Listings: Oatey says it meets ASTM D2235, the standard for ABS solvent cement, and lists NSF 61 for DWV and sewer and IAPMO. The sheet gives a maximum VOC of 325 g/L, a minimum viscosity of 500 cps at 73 °F and a density of 7.42 ± 0.2 lb per gallon.
Oatey gives an application range of 40 to 110 °F and a 3-year shelf life. The same cement comes in 4 oz (30999), 8 oz (30889), 16 oz (30892), 32 oz (30902) and gallon (30915) cans, so you can match the can to the job. The 32 oz can here is the quart Oatey’s joints-per-quart table is built on.
Two directions from Oatey worth taping inside the lid: hold the joint for 30 seconds so the pipe doesn’t push back out, and never test with compressed air. Oatey’s install sheet also says plainly not to use primer on ABS pipe and fittings.
One mismatch to know about: Oatey’s website product text says set time is about 30 minutes, while its spec sheet gives 1 to 6 minutes by temperature. I follow the spec sheet, and the planner below uses it.
My call: if you’re buying one can of ABS cement for a house’s drain lines, this is it. Buy the 8 oz or 16 oz size for a single bathroom; the quart pays off on a whole rough-in.
Oatey 30919: more open time in the heat
Best for hot, dry job sites
Oatey 30919
Oatey ABS Extra Special Medium Black Cement, 32 oz, 30919
Medium bodyBlackVOC 325 g/L max500 cps min40 to 110 °F
Buy it if
You glue ABS in hot, dry weather and want a cement Oatey made for that job.
Skip it if
You work in cool or humid places. The standard 30902 does the same job with a quicker set.
The 30919 also scores 10.0. It’s Oatey’s Extra Special ABS cement, and Oatey says it’s formulated for hot, arid climates such as the Western states, where a cement can skin over before the joint goes together.
On paper it’s the 30902’s twin: medium body, black, all schedules and classes of ABS up to 6 in. with interference fit, non-pressure use, ASTM D2235, NSF 61 and IAPMO. Oatey gives the same 325 g/L VOC maximum, 500 cps minimum viscosity, 40 to 110 °F application range and 3-year shelf life. Density is 7.26 lb per gallon against the 30902’s 7.42.
The difference is the set. Oatey’s sheet gives 6 to 7 minutes at 30 to 50 °F and 5 to 6 minutes at 50 to 70 °F, against 5 to 6 and 3 to 4 minutes for the 30902. At 70 to 90 °F both are 1 to 2 minutes, so the extra time shows up most in mild weather.
That matters on big fittings. A 4 in. cleanout tee or a combo takes longer to coat and line up than a 1-1/2 in. trap arm, and Oatey’s directions say the cement must still be fluid when you push the joint together. Dried cement can’t be re-coated.
Like the 30902, Oatey says to allow 15 minutes for good handling strength and gives it a 3-year shelf life, so a can bought for summer work keeps for the next few seasons. Can sizes are 4 oz (30916), 8 oz (30917), 16 oz (30918), 32 oz (30919) and gallon (30920).
On Oct 26, Amazon showed this one as in stock but low, so check the listing before you plan a job around it.
My call: pick it for desert attics, summer slab work and any job where you’re coating large fittings by yourself.
RectorSeal John 647L: a quarter pint for repairs
Best for a small repair kit
RectorSeal 647L
RectorSeal John 647L Black Medium Body Low VOC ABS Solvent Cement, 1/4 pint, 55938
Shelf life and size limit differ between RectorSeal’s page and catalog
Amazon’s potable-water line isn’t in RectorSeal’s ABS data
Medium bodyBlackVOC 309 g/L actualUp to 6 in. Sch 40 and 80 (catalog)55938
Buy it if
You need a small can for a trap arm, a cleanout or one fitting, and want a listed ABS cement.
Skip it if
You want set times by temperature. RectorSeal rates it only as “Fast”.
The 647L scores 8.0. RectorSeal names it “John” in its line of first-name cements, and the quarter-pint can is the size most people need for one repair under a sink or behind a wall.
RectorSeal says it’s UPC listed by IAPMO, meets or exceeds ASTM D2235 and joins ABS pipe and fittings made to ASTM D1788. Its product page gives an actual VOC of 309 g/L against a 325 g/L maximum, and its general chart lists a 40 to 120 °F application range, the widest of the four.
Two checks score 0. RectorSeal rates the cure as “Fast” but prints no set times in minutes, and it publishes no viscosity figure. Its instructions do say to allow 15 minutes to set, so the handling check scores.
There’s a conflict to know about. RectorSeal’s product page says it handles ABS through 8 in. with a 3-year shelf life; its catalog says ABS fittings through 6 in. for Schedule 40 and 80, with a 2-year shelf life. I’d plan on the smaller figures: 6 in. and 2 years.
The Amazon listing also says “NSF approved for potable water”. RectorSeal’s ABS data doesn’t say that for the 647L, and ABS cement isn’t a water-supply product, so don’t read anything into it.
RectorSeal’s instructions match the other makers on primer: for ABS pipe, use a clear cleaner, not a primer. Its safety data sheet lists the cement as a Category 2 flammable liquid, with the warning to keep it away from heat, sparks and open flames.
RectorSeal sells the same cement in half pint (55940), pint (55942) and quart (55944) cans if you like it and need more. My call: a good can for the truck or a repair drawer. For a full rough-in, buy one of the Oatey quarts.
Weld-On 773: rated to 8 in.
Best for ABS up to 8 in.
Weld-On 773
Low VOC Medium Body Black ABS Cement, 1/4 pint, 10246
No cure table or temperature range on its data sheet
Sold by IPS on Amazon, not Amazon.com
Medium bodyBlackVOC 309 g/L500 cps minSpecific gravity 0.90
Buy it if
You’re cementing ABS bigger than 6 in., or ABS foam core, and want the maker’s rating to cover it.
Skip it if
You want printed set and cure times. IPS rates it only as “Fast” and points to the can label.
The 773 scores 7.0, the lowest here but still a pick, because it’s the only cement in this group whose maker rates it through 8 in. on every document I read.
IPS Corporation, which makes Weld-On, describes it as a black, ultra low VOC emission, medium bodied, fast setting ABS cement for all classes and schedules with interference fit through 8 in. (200 mm). It lists DWV, sewer and drain pipe, conduit and foam core.
Listings are strong: IPS says it meets ASTM D2235 and the Uniform Plumbing Code, is certified by NSF International and IAPMO, meets NSF/ANSI Standard 14 and is GreenGuard Gold certified. Its VOC figure, 309 g/L, ties RectorSeal’s actual figure as the lowest here.
Three checks score 0. The data sheet rates the set only as “Fast” with no minutes, gives no cure table, and gives no application temperature range; IPS says detailed directions are printed on the container label. It does give a 500 cps minimum viscosity, a 0.90 ± 0.04 specific gravity and a 3-year shelf life.
IPS is blunt on two safety points: don’t use primer of any kind on ABS, and never use Weld-On cements in systems that use or are tested with compressed air or gas. It also warns not to use it with flue gas venting systems.
Sizes: gallon (10241), quart (10243), pint (10244), half pint (10245) and quarter pint (10246). On Oct 26 this quarter pint was sold by IPS Corp, the maker, through Amazon. One listing for the pint shows a different Weld-On model number in its details than its title, so I left it out.
My call: pick the 773 for 8 in. ABS. Use Oatey’s cure table as a guide for testing, since IPS doesn’t print one.
Every figure is from the maker’s own sheet or page. Where RectorSeal’s product page and catalog disagree, both numbers are shown.
Other ABS cements checked
Cement
Why it isn’t a pick
Weld-On 771 ABS (milky)
Same maker as the 773, with no numeric set times on its sheet; the 773 adds the 8 in. rating and GreenGuard Gold
Weld-On 773 pint listing
The listing’s model details didn’t match the pint’s maker number, so I couldn’t confirm which can ships
Oatey 30889, 8 oz
The same cement as the 30902 in a smaller can; buy it if a quart is more than you need
How long before you can move it, and how much to buy
Pick the cement, the weather and the pipe size. The planner returns the maker’s set time, Oatey’s cure time before testing and how much cement the job takes.
Pipe size
60 to 100 °F
40 to 60 °F
20 to 40 °F
0 to 20 °F
1/2 to 1-1/4 in.
15 min
20 min
30 min
Contact Oatey
1-1/2 to 3 in.
30 min
45 min
60 min
Contact Oatey
4 to 5 in.
2 hours
4 hours
36 hours
Contact Oatey
6 to 8 in.
8 hours
16 hours
3 days
Contact Oatey
That’s Oatey’s average joint cure time for PVC and ABS cements, the “up to 180 psi” row, from its How To Solvent Weld sheet. Oatey defines cure time as the time required before pressure testing the system, stated for relative humidity of 60% or less; in damp or humid weather it says to allow 50% more.
Oatey also says the data is for new installations, not repairs or cut-ins on hot and cold water lines.
Set time is different. It’s how long before the joint stops moving. Oatey prints set times for its two ABS cements; RectorSeal and IPS rate theirs only as “Fast”, so the planner falls back on what each maker does say.
How many joints a quart makes
Pipe size
1/2
3/4
1
1-1/4
1-1/2
2
3
4
6
8
Joints per quart
325
250
150
125
90
70
50
30
10
8
Oatey publishes these as estimates from laboratory testing and says field conditions vary. A 32 oz can is one quart, so the 30902 or 30919 can makes about 50 joints at 3 in. or 90 at 1-1/2 in.. A quarter-pint can, the RectorSeal and Weld-On size here, is one-eighth of a quart: about 6 joints at 3 in. or 11 at 1-1/2 in..
My call: a bathroom group with a 3 in. toilet line and 1-1/2 in. and 2 in. trap arms and vents runs well under a quart. Buy the 16 oz can for that, and keep a quarter pint for later repairs. Cement that has thickened to a jelly goes in the trash: Oatey says if it has gelled, don’t use it.
How to cement an ABS joint
From Oatey’s How To Solvent Weld sheet; the other makers’ directions agree on the points that matter.
1
Cut square and deburr
Cut the pipe square, deburr the inside, chamfer the outside of the end and wipe off dirt. A plastic pipe saw or a ratchet cutter works on ABS.
2
Dry fit
The pipe should go 1/3 to 2/3 of the way into the fitting hub before cement. If it bottoms out loose, the fit is wrong.
3
Clean, don’t prime
Oatey and IPS both say not to use primer on ABS. RectorSeal says to use a clear cleaner instead.
4
Coat the pipe, then the hub
Stir or shake the cement. Use an applicator at least half the pipe’s diameter. Put a liberal coat on the pipe end, a thin coat in the hub, then a second coat on the pipe.
5
Push and turn
Push the pipe into the hub with a quarter turn while the cement is still wet. Dried cement can’t be re-coated.
6
Hold 30 seconds
Hold the pipe bottomed in the hub for 30 seconds so it doesn’t push back out, then wipe off the extra cement.
7
Wait before testing
Allow 15 minutes before handling, then the cure time in the table above before testing. Never test with compressed air or gas.
Oatey’s sheet warns against puddling: too much cement inside the hub can weaken the joint and lead to failure. That’s why the hub gets the thin coat and the pipe gets the heavy one. Lower temperatures and larger pipe may need a little extra hold time, Oatey adds.
My call: cut, dry fit and mark every joint in a run before you open the can. Then cement in order without stopping. ABS cement sets fast in warm weather, and a half-coated fitting is a cut-out.
No primer on ABS, and why black matters
ABS cement isn’t PVC cement in a different color, and ABS doesn’t take primer.
ABS to ABS
Use a black ABS cement that meets ASTM D2235. All four picks do.
Primer on ABS
Oatey: don’t use primer on ABS. IPS: no primer of any kind. RectorSeal: a clear cleaner, not a primer.
ABS to PVC
None of these four is sold for ABS-to-PVC transition joints. Check your local code for what it allows; many use a mechanical coupling instead.
Air testing
Oatey and IPS both say never to test solvent-cemented plastic pipe with compressed air or gas.
Black is the industry’s color for ABS cement. RectorSeal’s catalog puts it plainly: clear for PVC, gray for electrical conduit, black for ABS, gold and orange for CPVC and blue for irrigation. That makes an inspector’s job easy, and it’s why a can of black cement is the right can for black pipe.
Temperature changes how fast ABS cement sets, and age changes whether it works at all.
Condition
What the makers say
What to do
Hot, dry (70 to 90 °F)
Oatey: 1 to 2 min set for both ABS cements; 30919 is made for hot, arid climates
Work in small batches; use the 30919
Mild (50 to 70 °F)
Oatey: 3 to 4 min (30902), 5 to 6 min (30919)
The normal case
Cool (30 to 50 °F)
Oatey: 5 to 6 min (30902), 6 to 7 min (30919); cure up to 60 min for 3 in. at 20 to 40 °F
Plan longer cure before testing
Application range
Oatey: 40 to 110 °F. RectorSeal: 40 to 120 °F. IPS: not stated
Keep the can and pipe in that range
Humid weather
Oatey: allow 50% more cure time
Add half again to the cure table
Shelf life
Oatey and IPS: 3 years. RectorSeal: 3 years on its page, 2 in its catalog
Don’t use cement that has gelled
Oatey gives set times down to 30 °F but an application range starting at 40 °F. I read that as: the set table covers cold air, but the cement and pipe should be at least 40 °F when you apply it. Keep the can in the truck cab or the house in winter, not on the trailer.
Keep the lid on between joints. Oatey says to keep the container closed when not in use, and an open can thickens as the solvent leaves it.
Ventilation and fire safety
ABS cement is a flammable solvent. Treat the can like one.
Flammable
RectorSeal’s SDS lists the 647L as a Category 2 flammable liquid: keep it away from heat, sparks, open flames and hot surfaces. No smoking.
Vapors
The same SDS warns of respiratory irritation, drowsiness and dizziness. Ventilate crawlspaces and closets.
Gloves and glasses
Oatey: wear safety glasses with side shields and rubber gloves, and avoid eye and skin contact.
Low VOC
All four list a VOC figure of 325 g/L or lower; the Weld-On 773 and RectorSeal 647L give 309 g/L.
How to choose an ABS cement
Three questions settle it.
1
How big is the pipe?
Up to 6 in.: any of the four. Over 6 in.: Weld-On 773, rated through 8 in..
2
How hot is it?
Hot and dry: Oatey 30919. Everywhere else: Oatey 30902.
3
How many joints?
Use the joints-per-quart table. One repair: a quarter pint. A bathroom: 16 oz. A whole house: a quart or two.
Your job
Cement
Why
New ABS drain lines in a house
Oatey 30902
Rated to 6 in. with set times printed by temperature
Summer work in a hot, dry climate
Oatey 30919
Slower set, made for hot, arid climates
One trap arm or cleanout repair
RectorSeal 647L
Quarter-pint can
8 in. ABS sewer or foam core
Weld-On 773
Rated through 8 in., including foam core
Questions people ask
Do you need primer for ABS pipe?
No. Oatey says not to use primer on ABS pipe and fittings, IPS says no primer of any kind, and RectorSeal says to use a clear cleaner instead.
How long does ABS cement take to set?
Oatey’s 30902 sets in 1 to 2 minutes at 70 to 90 °F, 3 to 4 minutes at 50 to 70 °F and 5 to 6 minutes at 30 to 50 °F. Oatey says to allow 15 minutes for handling strength.
How long before you can run water through ABS?
Oatey’s cure table gives 30 minutes for 1-1/2 to 3 in. pipe at 60 to 100 °F, up to 60 minutes at 20 to 40 °F, and 50% more in humid weather. Larger pipe takes hours.
Can you use PVC cement on ABS?
Use a cement made for ABS. All four here meet ASTM D2235, the standard for ABS solvent cement. PVC cements are made to a different standard.
Is ABS cement waterproof?
A properly cured solvent-cemented joint is watertight. The makers rate these cements for drain, waste, vent and sewer pipe.
Does ABS cement go bad?
Yes. Oatey and IPS give a 3-year shelf life. Oatey says not to use cement that has gelled.
How much ABS cement do I need?
Oatey estimates a quart makes about 90 joints at 1-1/2 in., 70 at 2 in., 50 at 3 in. and 30 at 4 in..
How the spec score works
The spec score uses the same ten checks for all four cements, from each maker’s data sheet, product page, catalog and install directions. It measures how completely each maker documents what an installer needs: size, set, cure, standards, VOC, temperature and shelf life. A check scores 0 when the maker doesn’t state it, so a missing fact never earns points.
Check (points)
How it’s scored
Max pipe size stated (1)
The maker states the largest ABS pipe size the cement is for
Set times in minutes (1)
The maker prints set times in minutes, not only “Fast”
Handling or cure guidance (1)
The maker gives handling time or a cure table
Meets ASTM D2235 (1)
The maker says it meets ASTM D2235
Third-party listing named (1)
The maker names a listing body such as IAPMO or NSF
VOC figure published (1)
The maker publishes a VOC figure
Application temperature range (1)
The maker gives an application temperature range
Shelf life stated (1)
The maker states a shelf life
Viscosity published (1)
The maker publishes a viscosity figure
Listing matches the maker (1)
The Amazon listing’s model matches the maker’s
Total (10)
Sum of the checks
Cement
Max pipe size stated
Set times in minutes
Handling or cure guidance
Meets ASTM D2235
Third-party listing named
VOC figure published
Application temperature range
Shelf life stated
Viscosity published
Listing matches the maker
Score
Oatey 30902
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
10.0
Oatey 30919
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
10.0
RectorSeal John 647L
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
8.0
Weld-On 773
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
7.0
Tie: both Oatey cements score 10.0. I list the 30902 first because it fits more climates.
Why trust me
I’m Isaac Daniels, a licensed journeyman plumber in Georgia (license #JP507711). I’ve used every cement picked here. The specs come from Oatey’s spec sheets and How To Solvent Weld guide, IPS Weld-On’s 773 data sheet and RectorSeal’s 647L page, catalog and SDS, read Oct 26, 2026.
How I pick
Black, medium-body cements for ABS that meet ASTM D2235.
One ten-check formula for all four; every pick scores 7.0 or higher.
Genuine maker listings, new and in stock on Amazon on Oct 26, 2026.
Cure times are Oatey’s guide; your local code and inspector have the final word. No plumbing services are offered here.
Sources
Oatey, ABS Medium Black Cement (30902 family) and ABS Extra Special Medium Black Cement (30919 family) spec sheets, and How To Solvent Weld With Solvent Cements, LCS3586 (oatey.com).
IPS Corporation, Weld-On 773 data sheet (773-05-2023) and product page (weldon.com).
The RectorSeal Corporation, John 647L product page, solvent cement catalog and safety data sheet (rectorseal.com).
ASTM International, D2235, Standard Specification for Solvent Cement for ABS Plastic Pipe and Fittings (astm.org).
Product listing details (Amazon Creators API, Oct 26, 2026). Search results for “abs cement” (Oct 26, 2026).
