Eduard Self Adhesive Photoetch

Thank you everyone!  I see I have many options.  You all have been most helpful.

Thanks again!

For those of you guys that strip the glue off the pe, then try using Aleene's white tacky glue. This product is cheap and is stronger than regular Elmer's.  I use it for attaching certain plastic and pe parts.

What I like about this product is that it dries clear so if you have some squeeze out, it will be invisible. The bond is really strong yet you can carefully pry off the part if necessary Without harming the paint, plastic or metal.

One reason contact cements work so well on PE is that the weight of the PE pieces is miniscule.  Even under strong inertial forces, the force put on bond is very low, so the cement does not see much stress.

When working on my Revell Ju 88 I found the self adhesive to be too soft and gooey.  In my experience that kind of adhesive eventually turns loose.

Setting the PE painted side down on some thick paper to somewhat cushion it, I scraped off the goo.  Then some lighter fluid on a Q-tip to clean the remainder.

When attaching with CA I start with a couple of tiny spots of thicker/slower setting CA to tack it in place.  If it sticks in the wrong place too soon I can pop it and retry.  Once it is located where I want it, I will use a .025" wire flattened to a chisel type point on one end and polished to apply the super thin fast set CA to the seam.  I add until it is all filled and seated all the way around.  At this point it is impossible to remove without destroying the PE and the part it is attached to.

Also be sure the PE where the CA is going to attach is clean bare metal and the place it is attaching is slightly sanded so that there is a nice fit.

You can also clamp the part in place and add thin CA to the edges until all sealed and glued.

Good Luck and look forward to seeing your build.

I haven't had the luxury of self adhesive PE for my HO trains. I've use "Barge Cement," but they've changed the formula. Latest/last builds I've done I've attached PE using canopy glue.

I would not use CA. Maybe some have had success, but others I've talked to have had problems with temperature variations and the different expansion coeeficients of the brass and plastic causing the CA to pop. No such problem with either "Barge Cement" or canopy glue.

Maybe if you never expect a major temperature change, CA might be an alternative, but why, when canopy glue works just as well, and gives you some time for last minute repositioning?

YMMV, etc. Good luck!

After the cockpit is painted and the colored parts are installed, do you all typically apply washes over the photoetch, or do you leave them as-is?  If so, can they accept most forms of washes?

Thanks again for all the help.

Gotcha.  Thanks for your help!

The trick is not to touch the sticky part and apply it where it's going with no repositioning. Like contact cement, once it's down it will be damaged if pulled up. As to how well it holds up, I have several pits that are well over 3 years old looking as good as the day I applied them.

tankerbuilder

Okay !

 Don't everyone hit me at once .

   I take ANY self -adhesive P.E. and remove the sticky with Goo-Gone or C.A remover . I just don't trust it . I have had All my medallions fall off my twelve car Southern Pacific " Daylight " train and they were supposed to be a permanent adhesive .

 So you see I learned to clean off the stickum and use C/A exclusively .

 

I find most of it comes off with handeling anyway, thats why i think its more trouble than its worth, just end up with sticky fingures. I might try your idea.

Thank you all for the suggestions and help!  One last question.... Does the alcohol or Goo Gone have any adverse effect on the painted side?

Thanks again!

Yeah I just use some alcohol or goo gone to get the sticky off and go with CA. No problems.

I second TB's method. I too find the pre-sticky PE a pain to deal with.

Also, this eliminates your concern about the adhesive failing.

Okay !

 Don't everyone hit me at once .

   I take ANY self -adhesive P.E. and remove the sticky with Goo-Gone or C.A remover . I just don't trust it . I have had All my medallions fall off my twelve car Southern Pacific " Daylight " train and they were supposed to be a permanent adhesive .

 So you see I learned to clean off the stickum and use C/A exclusively .

With today's adhesives technologies, mfgs can control the strength of the bond of pressure-sensitive adhesives.  Post-its and low tack masking tapes are specifically made low tack.  There are high tack pressure-sensitive adhesives too, like floor tiles, decorative coverings, etc.  They are not as strong as CA or other very strong adhesives but still pretty strong.

Bish

The CA will work fine. I think you will find anyone who uses these Eduard parts attaches them with CA, and i have not had or heard of any issues. I don't know why Eduard bother with this self adhesive poarts, it makes thing more hassle than its worth.

 

The CA will work fine. I think you will find anyone who uses these Eduard parts attaches them with CA, and i have not had or heard of any issues. I don't know why Eduard bother with this self adhesive poarts, it makes thing more hassle than its worth.