WHAT’S THE BEST GLUE FOR PLASTIC KITS?
I’m about to build a number of plastic ‘OO’ gauge wagon kits, but am unsure of what type of glue to use.
Donald Thompson, Ipswich
George says: I’m sure that most readers will have built plastic model kits at some point in their lives, probably using tubes of gloopy, foul-smelling polystyrene cement that invariably results in a stringy mess. While these glues are still freely available, there are – thankfully – many more alternatives these days.
Liquid poly cements – in clear liquid form – are far superior in terms of performance and convenience, although they do require a certain amount of care. They work by chemically ‘welding’ the parts together, temporarily softening the plastic components. As the solvent evaporates, the plastic re-hardens and creates an extremely strong bond.
The majority of injection-moulded kits feature styrene parts, which are perfectly suited to liquid poly cements. More rugged parts, such as chassis components, may be rendered in tougher plastics like ABS, which some liquid cements may struggle to bond effectively. Therefore, always read the label before choosing your cement.
Plastic Magic, from Deluxe Materials, has long been a favourite in the Dent Workshop, not least as it’s effective on virtually all types of plastic kit
components. Now offered in a squat, square jar, there’s less chance of inadvertently knocking it over.
Correct preparation of the kit parts is essential, as we need all of the mating faces to sit close up to each other so the liquid cement can perform correctly. Fettling the parts with files and test-fitting is, therefore, essential.
If gaps exist at the joints, then the bond will be weak. In these instances we can use a thicker glue, such as Deluxe’s Plastic Kit Glue, or even epoxy adhesive, although inserting shims from plastic strip is more preferable, while reinforcing internal corner joints with plastic angle (see below) offers a neater and more resilient option. Any visible exterior gaps can then be filled with modelling putty.
Thicker grades of cement do have a use, such as Deluxe’s Plastic Kit Glue, especially where some degree of adjustment is likely, or where the parts can’t be held together prior to applying the glue.
Deluxe Materials now also offers a slower-curing ‘10 Second’ version of Plastic Magic, which can be applied to well-fitting parts before they’re brought together.