Whats the best type of glue to use for plastic models? I assume their are different types of plastic out there. I want to make sure I use the right stuff, any help is appreciated.
Any hobby/model glue for styrene plastic models will do. I prefer liquid glue over the old tube glue. Easier to control and less mess. I actually make my own liquid glue by mixing tube glue with lacquer thinner. Good liquid glues are made by all the model makers and accessory/tool brands out there.
Like HeavyArty, I also prefer liquid cement/glue over the tube ones. I use Tamiya’s liquid cement which you can find at your LHS. Instead of a tube it’s packaged much like nail polish (there is a small brush attached to the cap of the cement bottle).
Tenax 7R and PlasticWeld by Plastruct are what I use for styrene. In any case, toss the brush that comes with it,. Either find a drafting pen at an office supply store or get an old fine brush. Much better control. When it has to set right now, I use Zap-A-Gap withthe green label. Acts as a filler, too. When it has to be set yesterday, it’s Zap with a drop of Zip Kicker aplied with the same drafting pen.
I use Testors liquid cement in the black bottle. I feel that I have more control over the amount of glue being applied with this rather than using glue that is applied with a brush. I’ll use CA when working with pe, but that is the only time I’ll use it.
I use a number of glues depending upon the task in hand.
I have two true plastic cements:
Plastruct and
Revell Contacta (with the fine needle applicator)
I then use each of the following
Pacer Zap a Gap (tacking assemblies prior to applying plastic cement)
5 minute epoxy (used for high stress joints - undercarriage) and canopies (non fogging)
White glue (canopies) applied often watered down with a brush and several applications to form a fillet.
Both the Zap a Gap (superglue) and epoxy are applied with a tooth pick.
Howardshobbies, as you can see liquid cement is the “it” nowadays. It is a lot cleaner to work with and usually bonds very quickly, however one downside to using liquid cement is just that. I also keep a tube of regular gel glue but use liquid cement 98% of the time. Give Tamiya liquid cement a try or one of my favorites, Ambroid ProWeld.
On another note, please take care not to inhale, get on skin or otherwise leave the liquid cement open as it is very toxic and evaporates exteamly quickly.
[:)]
for joining plastic to plastic, I use liquid cement. for little gap filling I use tube glue, for joining resin or other materials to plastic, my trusty fleet of superglues and for joining clear parts, elmers glue or even futurre floor polish!
(I can never obtain that testors clear parts glue!)
For me… it’s either Cement (Tamiya) for my kits and whiteglue/superglue for dios [:D]