How do different glues work?

So I saw this stuff in Alex Models videos, and ordered some.  Used it on my new project, and holy smokes, I'm impressed.  Love the tiny applicator tip.  Have not seen this locally, mine came from the UK. 

RickS

Resurrecting this thread because, well, there's so much more out there than when I last was into model building.  I used to think there was only the Testors tube stuff, and occasionally some liquid thing in a bottle with a brush that I never cared for.  After watching a few Alex Modelling videos, and reading here, I need to expand my horizons.  One thing I saw in Alex's vids was a bottle of Revell glue with what looks like a tiny metal applicator tube sticking out.  Found some pretty cheap, so I ordered it, but it won't arrive till the end of the month.  Thinkin about ordering some other types mentioned here.  The Tamiya glues seem to be pretty popular.  Are there any that are not recommended at all?  Don't want to waste money on something that doesn't work.

 

Be careful what you glue transparent (canopies, windows) pieces with.  Most CAs and solvent glues will fog transparent plastic.  Some say to Future the pieces first, but I have still gotten fogging.  White glue and similar window glues do not fog the plastic, but they are not very strong.  Probably okay for canopies as they are easy to glue back on if they come off, but a disaster for bomber and airliner windows.  If they come off after fuselage halves are glued together it is a disaster.  I am now using the UV laser hardening stuff (as seen on TV), as my hardware store carries it and I have had good luck once I figured out how to apply it properly.  Epoxy is okay for windows, but it is a lot of effort- the laser stuff hardens within seconds.

Resurrecting this thread because, well, there's so much more out there than when I last was into model building.  I used to think there was only the Testors tube stuff, and occasionally some liquid thing in a bottle with a brush that I never cared for.  After watching a few Alex Modelling videos, and reading here, I need to expand my horizons.  One thing I saw in Alex's vids was a bottle of Revell glue with what looks like a tiny metal applicator tube sticking out.  Found some pretty cheap, so I ordered it, but it won't arrive till the end of the month.  Thinkin about ordering some other types mentioned here.  The Tamiya glues seem to be pretty popular.  Are there any that are not recommended at all?  Don't want to waste money on something that doesn't work.

Out of those choices I'd go with CA.

I'm searching for the least toxic, lowest odor glue/cement/adhesive alternatives I can find.  Many claim that Tamiya has no odor, others say it is strong.  I have used Testors and CA but need an even lower odor alternative.  Thanks any help.

Josh_the_painter

 

 

....

Ive been able to achieve mostly what you just said by test fitting, then applying to both sides and putting together. ....

Josh

 

There are basically two types of model glues.  The first works by melting the surface of the plastic.  When two parts are pressed together and the solvents evaporate, the surfaces are welded together.  These solvent glues work best by coating both sides of a joint.

The other type relies on adhesion.  With this type of glue you may apply glue to only one side of joint, but the surfaces must be clean.  Otherwise glue will stick to paint or whatever contaminant is on the surface, and you are left with the bond strength of the contaminant to the plastic.

Pawel

Hello!

Basically, if you are able to make the two parts fit tight without glue, take CA. It holds best, when the glue layer is very thin. If the fit is loose, it might be better to use epoxy, this works better than CA if the glue layer is thick.

Josh - as for your question, I said "not so easy" in reference to replacing specialized plastic glues with a single component solvent. But if you get an idea what to look for and, roughly, how to mix it, you really can cut cost on plastic glue (this isn't really much), but also you can get around without mail-ordering such glue or without a hobby shop around - you just go to the hardware store...

Problem with pure MEK or acetone is they don't really solve all plastics well, but worst thing about them is that they evaporate too fast to let you work on anything but the smallest parts. The only way is to put the parts together and let the solvent wick into the seam - but this is not always possible/practical/desirable. But glues with some acetate mixed in solve plastics a lot better and linger a lot longer, allowing you to apply the glue to both surfaces and join the parts afterwards.

I hope that explains it - thanks for reading and have a nice day

Paweł

 

Interesting you mention the timing Pawel. Ive been using this pipe primer which I actually bothered to read and seems to be MEK. It doesnt dry quickly either. Ive been able to achieve mostly what you just said by test fitting, then applying to both sides and putting together. Anywhere I had a slight gap ( say on a corner where I may have just over sanded for fitment) a drop of the pipe primer has allowed the plastic components to I guess run into each other and fill the gap. At least for this project has worked ok. 

Ill post some pictures soon of my progress but while overall I think I have made a reasonable effort for my first model in so many years, there is lots of room for improvement. On a plus Im learning as I go so future efforts will benefit! 

Josh

Pawel,

Thanks. The fit will be loose so I'll use epoxy.

Hello!

Basically, if you are able to make the two parts fit tight without glue, take CA. It holds best, when the glue layer is very thin. If the fit is loose, it might be better to use epoxy, this works better than CA if the glue layer is thick.

Josh - as for your question, I said "not so easy" in reference to replacing specialized plastic glues with a single component solvent. But if you get an idea what to look for and, roughly, how to mix it, you really can cut cost on plastic glue (this isn't really much), but also you can get around without mail-ordering such glue or without a hobby shop around - you just go to the hardware store...

Problem with pure MEK or acetone is they don't really solve all plastics well, but worst thing about them is that they evaporate too fast to let you work on anything but the smallest parts. The only way is to put the parts together and let the solvent wick into the seam - but this is not always possible/practical/desirable. But glues with some acetate mixed in solve plastics a lot better and linger a lot longer, allowing you to apply the glue to both surfaces and join the parts afterwards.

I hope that explains it - thanks for reading and have a nice day

Paweł

I have a question regarding glue. I will be gluing a brass rod to the wing of an aircraft. Should I use Super Glue, or Epoxy? 

Josh_the_painter

 Would you consider this still to be a misguided approach and for future reference be better off trying painting once assembled? 

 

Josh

 

When I first got into this hobby I thought one or two glues should do it. Boy, was I wrong. I use white glue, Tamiya Thin, tube glue, epoxy, CA (both thick and thin), sprue-goo, UV glue, hot glue, and not in that order. They all have their place in my processes.

I will tell you though that I have not had a good experiences with UV glue. In my experience the bond was pretty weak, and the stuff stinks to high heaven, so much so, I moved the tube away from my work area. Just recently I noticed a strong odor in the room I kept it and in searching I had come to find that the UV tube had basicly expanded and broke its seal. Glue had oozed out, and into the garbage it went. I bought that glue at Walgreens, so maybe there is better stuff out there. For me, I gave it a go and I am moving on. I have other glues in my arsenol that will take care of business.

Interesting discussions.

Josh_the_painter

Ive been having an enjoyable read of everyones posts and learning a lot. Getting back into the hobby Im trying to learn about all the products available. 

20 years ago I used a revell glue that seemed to melt into the plastic to form a weld. 

Any modelling I've done since, which has been ultimately diorama or model railway based I have used super glue. But I dont know if that's a particularly good option. Super glue seems to just sit on top and not wick.

...

Josh

 

I find most thin CA glue does wick into seam.  I also use the thicker gel CA.  Because of its higher viscosity, it does not wick, but does fill small gaps.  So I keep both types on hand.  When the seam does not close real well, I use the gel.  But if the seam is a good tight fit I use the thin stuff for its ability to wick.

BTW, I also use the Tamiya stuff, as well as the new laser hardening stuff (for transparencies- it does not fog the surface like solvent and CA glues do.

I believe each type of glue/cement has its uses, and keep some of each on hand.

Pawel

Hello!

Two things:

First: one glue that Graham didn't mention in his write up, and that is getting more and more popular recently for building really small detail is the UV-hardening resin that allows you to line up small parts, clean up excess and start the hardening using Ultraviolet light. Some time ago it could only be had in dental supply shops, today Revell starts marketing it for modellers. Graham will surely point out that you can have it cheaper somewhere else.

Second: I've been using lacquer thinner for glue for more than 20 years now, and while I agree that it's a great alternative to overpriced "modeller's" "thin" glues, it's not as easy to do as Graham wants to have it. After I have used up my bottle of lacquer thinner, and it took me ovet ten years, I have found the environmental laws changed and I can't find easy replacement for it. I tried using pure acetone and MEK, and a mixture of them, but those didn't give me the good characteristics I've had before - a glue that would stay on plastic long enough to allow for handling and aligning the parts, and melt the plastic enough to make a strong weld. MEK and acetone evaporate too fast. Other lacquer thinners consist of xylene and toluene, and those don't melt the styrene enough.

The breakthrough came when I have found stuff called "acrylics thinner" that contains xylene and butyl acetate - that was a hit. This stuff stays long enough to let you handle and align the parts, and melts the styrene very effectively.

Hope this helps - thanks for reading and have a nice day

Paweł

 

Thanks Pawel. 

I had seen the ultraviolet glues now you mention it. I use ultraviolet primers quite regularly at work so I am familiar with the processes. 

The idea of laquer thinner is an interesting one. I have about 5 different reducers/ thinners here I could have a play with, at varying drying rates. The pipe primer is definitely working however. Almost all thinners are a brew of a number of chemicals so I guess its just landing on that right mix to be A) aggressive enough and B) slow enough. 

You did mention using the laquer approach not so easy. What challenges did you find with it? How did you overcome them? 

My trial this morning was succesful in applying a very controlled amount via a brush although I can understand how too much would fast lead into trouble.

Graham Green

 

 

Josh_the_painter

 

Hi Steve, 

Yes I picked some up and painted a few cockpit pieces this morning on an airfix p-40 B. Im going to experiment with the primer tonight or tomorrow morning so I will be sure to let you know the results!

Josh

 

 

 

 

 

Whoa there Bullock,------ DO NOT paint any items first and then attempt to glue them together properly. You will need to scrape of the paint where you expect the glue to take, then you will melt the paint along the joining seam as well.

Your joining seams will look terrible, if you go ahead with this idea.

 

Why not do the sensible thing, glue all the bits together that will be painted the one colour, this now allows you to clean up anything that needs cleaning up, then and only then, will you paint it.

 

DO NOT use any glue that will melt the styrene, anywhere near 'clear' moulded bit's, or you will have one hell of a foggy mess all over the clear bits.

 

Choice is your's alone to make, but you have been told what will happen -----

 

You make a good point Graham and appreciate the advice. 

I wasnt sure how to approach building the interior in regards to painting. My intial thought was to do exactly as you suggested and assemble then paint the interior green as the large majority of the interior is green. A quick hit with an airbrush would make short work of it. The problem I saw was once assembled the interior is basically a box awaiting fitment to the fuselage. I figured I would never be able to neatly paint the interior this way so opted for in parts. To then , as you have pointed out, clean up any paint and carefully glue. I planned to use white glue for the canopy. 

Would you consider this still to be a misguided approach and for future reference be better off trying painting once assembled? 

Josh

Hello!

Two things:

First: one glue that Graham didn't mention in his write up, and that is getting more and more popular recently for building really small detail is the UV-hardening resin that allows you to line up small parts, clean up excess and start the hardening using Ultraviolet light. Some time ago it could only be had in dental supply shops, today Revell starts marketing it for modellers. Graham will surely point out that you can have it cheaper somewhere else.

Second: I've been using lacquer thinner for glue for more than 20 years now, and while I agree that it's a great alternative to overpriced "modeller's" "thin" glues, it's not as easy to do as Graham wants to have it. After I have used up my bottle of lacquer thinner, and it took me ovet ten years, I have found the environmental laws changed and I can't find easy replacement for it. I tried using pure acetone and MEK, and a mixture of them, but those didn't give me the good characteristics I've had before - a glue that would stay on plastic long enough to allow for handling and aligning the parts, and melt the plastic enough to make a strong weld. MEK and acetone evaporate too fast. Other lacquer thinners consist of xylene and toluene, and those don't melt the styrene enough.

The breakthrough came when I have found stuff called "acrylics thinner" that contains xylene and butyl acetate - that was a hit. This stuff stays long enough to let you handle and align the parts, and melts the styrene very effectively.

Hope this helps - thanks for reading and have a nice day

Paweł

Josh_the_painter

 

Hi Steve, 

Yes I picked some up and painted a few cockpit pieces this morning on an airfix p-40 B. Im going to experiment with the primer tonight or tomorrow morning so I will be sure to let you know the results!

Josh

 

Whoa there Bullock,------ DO NOT paint any items first and then attempt to glue them together properly. You will need to scrape of the paint where you expect the glue to take, then you will melt the paint along the joining seam as well.

Your joining seams will look terrible, if you go ahead with this idea.

Why not do the sensible thing, glue all the bits together that will be painted the one colour, this now allows you to clean up anything that needs cleaning up, then and only then, will you paint it.

DO NOT use any glue that will melt the styrene, anywhere near 'clear' moulded bit's, or you will have one hell of a foggy mess all over the clear bits.

Choice is your's alone to make, but you have been told what will happen -----

So, I didnt get a chance to glue my cockpit pieces together as I wasnt ready.

However in the interests of science I cut off two 2" long strips of sprue, held them together parallel and applied the pipe primer, a small amount on a fine tip brush. What do you know! After 30 seconds they were joined. I began to try and roll them apart and as the solvents in the primer hadn't evaporated yet, as I separated the two pieces there was a web of plastic between them where they were melting together and cross linking. 

Further pipe primer re-softened the glue allowing them to come apart. I pushed them back together and when home from work looking foward to seeing a nice solid bond. It works!

Josh

steve5

 

 

Josh_the_painter

Ive got a wing to paint out at the airport today then a Hospital visit, but on my way home Ill swing through bunnings and grab some pipe primer for a play.

 

 

I'm very interested josh , did you get any primer , if so how did it go ?

steve5

 

Hi Steve, 

Yes I picked some up and painted a few cockpit pieces this morning on an airfix p-40 B. Im going to experiment with the primer tonight or tomorrow morning so I will be sure to let you know the results!

Josh

Josh_the_painter

Ive got a wing to paint out at the airport today then a Hospital visit, but on my way home Ill swing through bunnings and grab some pipe primer for a play.

I'm very interested josh , did you get any primer , if so how did it go ?

steve5

Josh_the_painter

Thank you for the replies.

Interesting bit of reading there Graham. I can understand how the MIK melts into the styrene. Also interesting was the MEK/ accetone mix. There's liters of MEK sitting around at work we use for thinning composite materials. That may be a bit aggressive however. 

 

This stuff is about as agressive as Tamiya or Testors, all you have to do is paint some onto each bit and press together, then when it's taken, dip the brush into this MEK once again and "wick it" along the seam being glued.

Done correctly, you may not even see where the join was before you started, like every other glue, if it's done wrong, then it's a stuff-up.

keavdog

From the weldon website

Methylene Chloride * #

 (dichloromethane) 

Trichloroethylene * #

Methyl Methacrylate Monomer

And at $20 a pint,  very cost effective. 

 

Yes most definitely. Also interesting reading that methacrylates are used in the production of poly products so again the glue is, in essence, making up part of the structure of the plastic and I assume cross links the molecules giving you that welded bond. 

Josh 

From the weldon website

Methylene Chloride * #

 (dichloromethane) 

Trichloroethylene * #

Methyl Methacrylate Monomer

And at $20 a pint,  very cost effective. 

keavdog

I do like Tamiya thin for some applications, but I like a bit hotter solution for things like fuselage assembly or wing joints.  Before Tamiya there was Weldon #4 - a bit hot and you have to be careful to not to let it run outside of joints but it's by far the best in terms of liquifying the plastic and producing a joint that is 'welded' together.   

 

So I wonder what the chemical make up of this was? I imagine a good acetone content would extract the solvents quickly allowing a quick drying glue.

Thank you for the replies.

Interesting bit of reading there Graham. I can understand how the MIK melts into the styrene. Also interesting was the MEK/ accetone mix. There's liters of MEK sitting around at work we use for thinning composite materials. That may be a bit aggressive however. 

Ive got a wing to paint out at the airport today then a Hospital visit, but on my way home Ill swing through bunnings and grab some pipe primer for a play.

Interesting  how the make up differs in so many glues. I suppose there will be an agenda how specific manufacturers want the glue to perform and a chemist will create something around those parameters. Such as no smell etc. Perhaps there's a thought process for not permanently fixing things together incase of a mistake? 

GlennH

 

That is showing as a primer for plastic pipe. Primer is part one of the two steps to join PVC. You still need the glue after priming to weld the pipes together. I guess one day I can try some primer alone on some sprue scraps and see what happens.

 

Somehow you have missed the point about this lot, if you have a look at what’s inside the Primer container/bottle, you will see that it’s just about the same stuff that is in the Tamiya bottles, only a heck of a lot more liquid/glue, for far less price and it does exactly the same job on polystrene as what Tamiya/Testors does.

Graham Green

Tamiya seems to be recommended a lot, now I have taken a sniff of this stuff and to my untrained nose, it smells suspiciously like Methyl Isobutyl Ketone which is what Testors has as the main ingrediant.

Here's a quick guide to what you will pay for Tamiya and notice the quantity of liquid for the cash that you will splash out for a lousy 40 mil.

Then have a look at the next link and notice the quantity ( 250 mil ) and the LOWER price as well, so which one is far more user friendly?

 

https://www.metrohobbies.com.au/products/tamiya-extra-thin-cement-quick-setting

 

 

https://www.bunnings.com.au/protek-250ml-clear-priming-fluid_p4750123

 

 

That is showing as a primer for plastic pipe. Primer is part one of the two steps to join PVC. You still need the glue after priming to weld the pipes together. I guess one day I can try some primer alone on some sprue scraps and see what happens.

This forum really frowns on the concept of saying sh*t as though if you spelled it out it’s crude but If you “disguise” it and yet it’s clear what’s meant, is ok. It’s juvenile.

You are extremely annoying when you call out others as being dense.