What glue to use...?

[The Z'eer]

As mentioned in a previous thread, returning to modeling after a 26 year gap and realising different products are available now. Originally I used polystyrene cement, which I found to be quite messy due to it's viscosity. I moved on to liquid poly, by far an improvement. However I'm due to start a new kit soon, should I move on to something superior than liquid poly, presuming it exists?


Thanks

 

[stona]

I don't know which liquid poly you use, they are all a solvent or mixture of solvents to make a chemical 'weld' between the plastic parts.


I use Tamiya Extra Thin, Mr Hobby S and EMA Plastic Weld. They are all thin, though of different chemical composition. They all work and it is difficult to say any one is better than the others.


Cheers


Steve

 

[PaulTRose]

all depends on the joint


i actually use thick super glue for most things.......probably 90% of the time


but i also keep some Revell poly glue around since it comes with that precision metal applicator

 

[stona]

I find it difficult to get invisible seams (bearing in mind I build almost exclusively aircraft) using superglue. I do use it for many things, the gel is good for attaching small parts for example.


Cheers


Steve

 

[Gern]

I don't know which liquid poly you use, they are all a solvent or mixture of solvents to make a chemical 'weld' between the plastic parts.


I use Tamiya Extra Thin, Mr Hobby S and EMA Plastic Weld. They are all thin, though of different chemical composition. They all work and it is difficult to say any one is better than the others.


Cheers


Steve

I know EMA is much 'hotter' than either Mr Cement and Tamiya Extra Thin. I mixed up a batch of styrene filler using some old bits of sprue and EMA. I put it into an old Mr Cement bottle thinking the brush applicator would be useful - and the EMA promptly dissolved the brush!

 

[stona]

I know EMA is much 'hotter' than either Mr Cement and Tamiya Extra Thin. I mixed up a batch of styrene filler using some old bits of sprue and EMA. I put it into an old Mr Cement bottle thinking the brush applicator would be useful - and the EMA promptly dissolved the brush!

The EMA stuff is basically dichloromethane  whereas the other two are essentially methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). They are all pretty hot. I'm guessing the Mr Cement brush was formulated not to dissolve in the one, but was obviously quite soluble in the other


Plastic Weld doesn't come with a brush, and there may be a reason for that! I use an old Pro Arte paint brush to apply it. I don't know what it is made of but it is impervious to dichloromethane.


Subjectively and unscientifically I find that the Plastic Weld works better on some of the harder plastics found in some kits, but I haven't done any rigorous experimentation which would prove my hypothesis !!!!!!!!!


Cheers


Steve

 

[Gern]

Like you Steve, I used an old paint brush with my EMA and found it kept gluing bits of dust and fluff to my kits. That's 'cos I'm such a messy worker and the brush picked up the stuff when I put it down after use! Now I use either Mr Cement or Tamiya Extra Thin depending on which one I find first in the tip I call my workbench!

 

[stona]

Dave, I hope it says I liked your last post rather than unliked...I'm having a bit of trouble with the 'mouse' on my lap top at the moment


Cheers


Steve

 

[John Rixon]

Plastic Weld doesn't come with a brush, and there may be a reason for that! I use an old Pro Arte paint brush to apply it. I don't know what it is made of but it is impervious to dichloromethane.

Does your brush soften up every time you dip it in then?

 

[stona]

Does your brush soften up every time you dip it in then?

It doesn't harden up John. The Plastic Weld in the brush just seems to evaporate (as it would) and leave the brush just as it was before. The brush is a really old one marked 'Prolene + Plus' whatever that means! It is quite different from the 'Miniature Painting' ones I use now.


Cheers


Steve

 

[Gern]

Does your brush soften up every time you dip it in then?

Yes. These types of glues are not glues as such, so they aren't sticky and don't 'set' like most. All they do is melt the plastic then evaporate away. Once the plastic has melted it bonds together then resets hard as the glue evaporates.

 

[Gern]

Dave, I hope it says I liked your last post rather than unliked...I'm having a bit of trouble with the 'mouse' on my lap top at the moment


Cheers


Steve

It's a 'Like'! Thanks Steve.