Hi all
I just tried using Micro-Weld for the first time last night, and was completely dissapointed. I read here that it is supposed to set in 30 Seconds. I held the parts together for more than 5 minutes and they still came apart. I left them over night to dry and in the morning they came apart again.
Am I doing something wrong, or is this stuff no good?
Thanks,
SkyKing66
First, what material were the parts? As with any plastic cement, it will only work with styrene plastic. It will not work with metal or resin.
Second, you should either apply to both surfaces or apply a drop along a loosely connected seam and let capillary action draw it along. This stuff is very volatile, it evaporates super quickly. it works by melting the surface of the plastic with which it is in contact. You MUST mate the surfaces as soon as you apply the weld or it will evaporate. Once the PW has evaporated the plastic is solidified and can no longer be joined without another application of Plastic Weld.
It depends on which Micro Weld you have, the old stuff is in a small glass bottle with black lettering, this stuff will dry almost instantly. The new stuff is made from orange products and is child safe, it takes forever for this stuff to setup, like overnight. The new stuff I have is in a plastic bottle with green lettering.
OK, I think tymada you are right. I do have the plastic bottle with green lettering.
Should I use something like Tenax-7R instead?
SK66
ajlafleche, I am using plastic parts (Revell DC-3 1:72). I did do it exactly as you sugested.
Another question, when using plastic welders (say I try Tenax), how much is it important to remove the paint from the surface of the parts?
Sk66
The paint needs to be scraped or sanded off the gluing surfaces or you get a very weak bond… if you get one at all.