Page 1 of 1

Best Glues for Restoring Old Model Collection?

Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2019 1:12 pm
by RobRomero
Tamiya glues are fine for new builds, however I’m not finding them adequate to restore old models that have been damaged. I’m looking for two types of adhesives. I’M WILLING TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX and even use commercial putties or caulking material used for home repair.
Note: I rinse my models to keep them clean so these would have to be waterproof.

1) LARGE COMPONENT ADHEVSVIE for gluing things like superstructures to ships or wings to airplanes. Forms strong waterproof bond (on top of old dried out glue) with some give or flexibility to withstand sheer or shock from handling or a drop -preferably easy to apply (not too gunky) or too expensive.
2) FINE COMPONENT ADHEVSVIE for gluing things like broken antennae or machine gun barrels. Forms strong waterproof bond with some give or flexibility so it won’t break at the slightest contact -preferably easy to apply (not too gunky) or too expensive.

Thanks Ahead of Time for your consideration.

Re: Best Glues for Restoring Old Model Collection?

Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2019 4:41 pm
by RobRomero
After further research on the internet, I found the following recommendations for glueing styrene. Any further commentary or elaboration would be much appreciated.

Weld-On #16
Thickened type Glue, use Weld-On #16 an Acrylic Solvent Cement that also contains MEK
ABS Adhesive excellent gelled adhesive for styrene. Unlike liquid MEK which dries before you place the parts together, this cement allows a little time for part placement and alignment although it will dry and set reasonably quickly.

MEK
Great Results with MEK
I've used the MEK type glues for years on styrene. MEK is used on an ASSEMBLED joint...you don't coat the glue on a part and stick it together. You put the parts together and then use a tool to apply the MEK.
I use a dental pick. It will wick into the small joints and make a fantastic bond. Some folks like to use small POINTED brushes. Keep applying drops with your tool until you've got it glued along the whole joint. IMHO, it's almost hopeless to try to get a good glue joint with MEK if you don't assemble the parts first.
MEK dissolves the plastic pieces and makes them one piece.

Plastruct Bondene
I've had excellent results with Plastruct Bondene for styrene to styrene and styrene to ABS. As Mike shared, it's a wick type cement that goes on after the parts are held together in place. The bottle comes with a brush applicator and works wonderfully. Bonding is within minutes.
The main benefit...you don't see a glue joint as you will with thicker glues

Tenax 7r
Tenax 7r, it makes a strong bond on most plastics as its basically a plastic weld. I have had pieces break before the joint would break using Tenax. It dries VERY quickly so the second you apply it you need to be putting the pieces you are working on together quickly.

Weld-On
I love using Weld-On

Re: Best Glues for Restoring Old Model Collection?

Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2019 4:47 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
I think you have a pretty good handle on it
I was thinking Epoxy resins and Cyanoacrylates when I read your question