Which Solvent Cement for Which Pipe: Yellow, Blue, Clear, Grey and Orange
Pipe Buying
Which Solvent Cement for Which Pipe: Yellow, Blue, Clear, Grey and Orange
3 min read
Quick answer: Yellow cement is for CPVC up to 2 inch. Orange heavy duty cement, used with purple primer, is for CPVC above 2 inch. Blue and clear cement are for uPVC, and grey heavy duty is for uPVC in larger sizes. CPVC cement and uPVC cement are not interchangeable. A 118 ml tin of Ashirvad CPVC yellow is ₹158 with us (list ₹288) and uPVC blue is ₹102 (list ₹185), before GST, on 15 November 2026.
Solvent cement is not glue. It softens the surface of the pipe and the socket so they fuse into one piece, and each cement is made for one plastic. The wrong one makes a joint that looks fine and holds a cold test.
The colour guide
| Tin | For | Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow, medium | CPVC, 1/2 inch to 2 inch | One step, no primer |
| Orange, heavy duty | CPVC above 2 inch | Two step: purple primer first |
| Blue, medium | uPVC and PVC | One step |
| Clear, medium | uPVC and PVC, where a visible colour is not wanted | One step |
| Grey, heavy duty | uPVC in larger sizes | Two step: primer first |
| Purple primer | Used before two-step cement | Not a cement on its own |
The split between one step and two step is the manufacturers': Ashirvad's CPVC manual recommends one-step cement up to 2 inch and says not to use primer with it, and two-step cement with primer above that. CPVC cement is made to ASTM F493 and uPVC cement to ASTM D2564; both standards are named in the makers' catalogues.
Prices by pack
Our prices at Viveknagar on 15 November 2026, before GST, with the list price.
| Cement | Pack | Our price | List price |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPVC yellow, 1 step | 59 ml | ₹98 | ₹179 |
| CPVC yellow, 1 step | 118 ml | ₹158 | ₹288 |
| CPVC yellow, 1 step | 237 ml | ₹270 | ₹490 |
| CPVC yellow, 1 step | 473 ml | ₹487 | ₹886 |
| CPVC orange heavy duty, 2 step | 237 ml | ₹296 | ₹539 |
| Purple primer | 237 ml | ₹229 | ₹416 |
| uPVC blue, 1 step | 118 ml | ₹102 | ₹185 |
| uPVC blue, 1 step | 237 ml | ₹159 | ₹289 |
| uPVC clear, 1 step | 118 ml | ₹102 | ₹185 |
| uPVC grey heavy duty, 2 step | 118 ml | ₹113 | ₹205 |
| uPVC grey heavy duty, 2 step | 237 ml | ₹175 | ₹318 |
Three rules
- Match the cement to the pipe, not to what is in the bag. Yellow on CPVC, blue or clear on uPVC. A uPVC cement on a hot CPVC line is the failure that shows up months later inside a wall.
- Stay with the pipe's own brand where the warranty asks for it. Ashirvad's CPVC warranty requires its own cement.
- Do not use a tin that has thickened. Cement should flow like syrup. If it has gone stringy or lumpy, it will not wet the joint. Close the lid between joints.
The method, with set and cure times, is in how to use CPVC solvent cement.
From our shop
Products in this guide
Live dealer prices. Add to cart, or ask for a GST quote on the whole list.
Questions we get asked
Can I use PVC cement on CPVC pipe?
No. Use CPVC cement on CPVC.
Can I use CPVC cement on uPVC pipe?
Use the cement made for the pipe. On a uPVC line that is the blue, clear or grey tin.
What about the joint between uPVC and CPVC?
Use a transition fitting made for it and follow the fitting maker's instruction for which cement goes on which side. See where uPVC is used.
How much cement do I need?
For one bathroom in 1/2 and 3/4 inch, a 118 ml tin is normally enough. Buy the size you will finish; an opened tin does not keep well.
Sources
- Ashirvad FlowGuard Plus CPVC technical manual: one-step and two-step cement, primer, warranty.
- Astral CPVC PRO catalogue and Astral Aquarius uPVC catalogue: cement standards.