New Loctite Glue works great for Clear parts!

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Techniques
1

OK, we all know the typical routine as detailed in a recent FineScale Modeler mag build article, such as first dipping the clear part in Future and then wicking away the excess with towel paper so you can glue it with CNA glue without the hazing, etc.

Well, for me, this seems a bit complicated as well as borderlining on the obsessive side just to be able to stick with CNA glues, inasmuch as I can get and have been using a simple product like Testors Clear Parts Cement. This simple product has allowed me to not worry about drying time for the Future product, as well as what effect will the Future undercoat have on the framing detailing paint’s adhesion?

Well now Loctite has introduced a new product I recently got at my local Wal-Mart stationary department called Multi-Purpose Adhesive Gel. I got it thinking it was just another of their fine CNA glues (I really like their brush-on product) and found out it is a nice slow-setting, non-solvent gel glue that is perfect for clear parts!

Unlike the Testors product, being a gel, I found it applies as a nice firm bead along the surface to attach the clear part to. It bonds nicely, and holds the part well right away, and any excess wipes off easily and will not damage or haze the clear plastic in any way. Even after it has fully set-up, if I wished to, I could easily break the seam and detach the part, and the excess scraped off the plastic parts with no residue whatsoever.

This is great stuff for items like the stand-up windscreens on WWI or any other open-cockpit displayed aircraft where you have the windshield on edge.

Just thought you might like to know.

Tom [C):-)]

2

Thanks Tom! Gonna have to get some of that stuff and try it.

3

I have tried it on several test samples, all with very good results. The dried glue is kind of like a clear rubber product, and it holds very well.

I have not tried it on a vaccuform canopy yet, but this stuff looks like it should fill gaps well.

Tom [C):-)]

4

Kind of an OT answer, but don’t forget the Future also makes your clear parts quite a bit clearer.

5

What I am referring to is in the article, the builder dipped the claer parts in the Future first, before painting or glueing the part to anything in order to keep using nothibng but CNA glue for his kit, not to make the part clearer.

I would only prefer to apply any clear coat after painting and gluing the claer part in place, especially since Future is not a typical modellers’ acrylic product like Testors clear coat product, and I would have to believe that it would compromise the ability of any detail painting of framing and such to adhere well, and I would figure on scraping it off of where I wanted to paint any detailed framing, etc.

In my testing Future vs. Testors clear coat on clear parts, and since it has no alcahol in it, it dries no shinier then Testors and takes a lot longer to dry as well as having an ammonia odor.

Generally, in model building, as compared to Testors clear acrylic, I have found it to be more of a pain to use for no better results.

Tom [C):-)]