Hy guys. Need some advice on how to glue clear vac form canopies to resin parts please. I tried normal plastic cement and white wod glue but it does not take on the canopy.
Then the cino fogged up the canopy, resulting in a lost /broken windshield, luckely I had a spare.
Will clear fix type glue take on the canopy? Clear epoxy is a bit messy to work with in such small scale.
Theuns
I recently started using something called “Formula 560” by Pacer. It’s a lot like craft glue or thickened white glue to use, dries crystal-clear, cleans up with water, and stays a bit flexible so it’ll hold pretty well if it’s accidentally bumped. Apparently RC builders have used it for years.
It seems pretty widely available in hobby stores and online outlets.
Cheers
One of my IPMS(UK) branch members was the late Peter Westbrook, a superlative modelmaker and a great researcher into new methods and materials. To get a strong bond between vac form canopy and styrene/resin he discovered that it is possible to dilute 5 minute epoxy glue with white spirit or methlated spirit. I am aware these are UK terms, not US ,but ithink the equivalent is enamel thinners and denatured alcohol,somebody more knowledgeable may be able to assist. He favoured the use of alcohol when dealing with styrene as he felt it didn’t attack the plastic as thinners can. I have tried this and the bond is a very strong one. Mix the epoxy and thinning agent in a tin lid or similar and use an old brush or toothpick to apply the thinned glue… The usual caveat of practising on something expendable first applies.
Micro Crystal Clear
Thanx guys. I can’t find any Crystal clear here in my area. Might have to try the thinned epoxy trick.
Theuns
Hello!
In my opinnion, it’s best to use CA (cyanoacrylate) glue for this, but with a twist - you have to cover the canopy in future in advance. This is best done by dippind the whole canopy in future, then taking it out and letting it dry (prefarably under some cover, to prevent any dust particles to stick). After that, you can use CA and you won’t get the fogging, while still enjoying a strong, reliable connection. Hope it helps, have a nice day
Paweł
I have had CA fog canopies and windshields even after future coating them. Ordinarily for transparencies I use Crystal Clear or a similar product- there are several brands. If I need a stronger bond I do use epoxy. A bit of a bother and you waste a lot, but even in small scale it is doable- just use care to remove excess.
Good old Elmer’s white glue. They have a “stronger formula” available now too…
gators grip acrylic hobby glue. a souped up micro crystal clear.
Read about it here: