Which Glue?

For basic plastic kit assembly you'll probably need some plastic cement (either liquid or tube stuff is good). It's probably the best stuff to use to bond plastic to plastic. I use Tamiya extra thin cement and brush it onto joins, it's good because it flows into the gaps nicely.

If you're gonna wor with resin or photo-etch parts (or anything non-plastic) the best glue to use is a CA glue (super glue is it's other name). It can be used to join anything. However, it can cause fogging as it dries, so it's not best to use on clear parts. A five minute epoxy type glue is also good for this sort of work.

For clear parts, I always keep some white glue handy. Any white glue you can pick up at a hardware store will do the trick. It's good for clear parts because it wont affect the plastic at all, and dries pretty clear.

hope that answers your question

I'll concur with, and add to, what pingtang said. Tenax 7R is the BEST glue to use when joining the fuselage halves, wing halves, etc. It creates its own bead on the seam when applied to the plastic, and, after sanding the seam away, no seam (usually)!! Instructions are on the bottle.

I've got a modelling 101 question, I'm getting back into the art after a couple of decades away (college, fun, marriage, kids etc.) Is it best to glue all along the seam, or on just a few spots on long joins such as the body or wing joins?

Moved from the Aircraft forum to the Tools forum.

Jeff

Thanks for your help.

ESTSCO
GLue it all the way. Every peace of plastic that joins with another, should be lued fixed. Using only small dots of glue, migt eventually prove not strong enough, so your model could brake up.
By-the-by: saving money on glue won't make you a rich man...

QUOTE: Originally posted by estsco I've got a modelling 101 question, I'm getting back into the art after a couple of decades away (college, fun, marriage, kids etc.) Is it best to glue all along the seam, or on just a few spots on long joins such as the body or wing joins?

Use the brush on glues like Tenax is the best bet for success.......

ditto on the welding type cements.

Tenax-7 and Ambroids are both good products in this line.. Tenax requires either a small brush (any kind) dedicated to only brushing glue, or a capillary glue pen. IMHO I would start with the brush then learn to use the pen...

oh and it really does a number on your model when you put your finger over a spot of this on your fuselage... voice of experience here haha... but you'll end up with seams that require less sanding and cleaner joins. I still use the liquid glue like Model Master or Testors for putting on the small parts and anything like pitot tubes or whatever. any long seams get the Tenax though....

Plus you can work an inch at a time down the fuselage to make sure both sides of the seam are level etc and eliminate most sanding to level a seam...

Thanks for the help. I can see what you mean about the Tenax and long seams.

For large joints and areas that require a lot of strength I use a 5-minute epoxy. CA glue is great but the bond can get brittle over time. I usually only use CA for small items. With CA glue you should wear eye protection when using, and have a bottle of debonder handy.

Dave

Is ProWeld anygood?