Jump to content

Adehesive for clear plastics.


james424

Recommended Posts

Ok, so I know this is going to cause mass debating and opinions galore BUT I need to ask the question anyway...

So, you reach that point on your build when you need to start fixing on your canopy/window/porthole/lights etc etc, but you don't want said clear part to end up with cloudy marks and tatty bits at the edge where the modelling glue has set. What adhesive do you guys tend to reach for when using clear plastic parts - Do you go for a bit of PVA as I have recently seen used or do you head for the 'Micro crystal clear' as I've just seen advertised on wonderland models...

My question has been asked and the worm can has been opened... Over to you guys for your sage advice and collective years of experience.

As always, any info and advice will be more than welcome - Many thanks :worthy:

James

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I use superglue, and put TINY spots onto the joining parts with a small needle head cut (so its like a prong). Never used PVA, but heard about it, I guess it's all down to personal preference.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ok, so I know this is going to cause mass debating and opinions galore BUT I need to ask the question anyway...

So, you reach that point on your build when you need to start fixing on your canopy/window/porthole/lights etc etc, but you don't want said clear part to end up with cloudy marks and tatty bits at the edge where the modelling glue has set. What adhesive do you guys tend to reach for when using clear plastic parts - Do you go for a bit of PVA as I have recently seen used or do you head for the 'Micro crystal clear' as I've just seen advertised on wonderland models...

My question has been asked and the worm can has been opened... Over to you guys for your sage advice and collective years of experience.

As always, any info and advice will be more than welcome - Many thanks :worthy:

James

Superglue applied in very small amounts using a bit of thin, stiff wire in a pin vice and allowed to dry normally, no accelerator. I've never had any problem with fogging. When dry it can be sanded, scribed etc. I always add all fixed glazing before painting.

HTH

Andy

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've tried a lot.

First thing to remember is, clear plastic is still polystyrene, so normal polystyrene cement and the alternatives like methyl chloride all work on it. If you're careful (and lucky enough to have no gaps), thin cements can be run into the joint between clear and solid plastic, and this should leave no marks. Thicker cement will work too, if used sparingly.

The difference in plasticity between clear and solid parts does sometimes cause problems with cements, so many prefer bonds to solvents. CA glue is very good, of course, but it will generally fog clear parts irretrievably. The best way to avoid that is a clear barrier such as Klear.

PVA is a much less destructive bond. Most wood glue will do, although there are more specialist options like Formula 560. The great advantage is that this stuff usually dries clear, although it can still look a bit obvious. It's not as strong a bond as the others, but in most normal circumstances it's fine. Gator Glue is similar but is, I believe, something different again, although the details elude me.

Clear-setting fillers like Crystal Clear or Clearfix are another way. My main reservation on them is price.

And with all that off my chest ... I have no strong preference, would you believe? As a rule I use whichever is easiest to get out of the bottle / tube at the relevant time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ok, so I know this is going to cause mass debating and opinions galore BUT I need to ask the question anyway...

So, you reach that point on your build when you need to start fixing on your canopy/window/porthole/lights etc etc, but you don't want said clear part to end up with cloudy marks and tatty bits at the edge where the modelling glue has set. What adhesive do you guys tend to reach for when using clear plastic parts - Do you go for a bit of PVA as I have recently seen used or do you head for the 'Micro crystal clear' as I've just seen advertised on wonderland models...

My question has been asked and the worm can has been opened... Over to you guys for your sage advice and collective years of experience.

As always, any info and advice will be more than welcome - Many thanks :worthy:

James

James, PVA is good since you can always dissolve it for a second go or wipe away excess. Modelling PVAs dry clear and Krystal Kleer is just refined PVA anyway as is Gators Glue. Using cyano (superglue) can cause fogging, dipping the transparency in a suitable varnish can protect (e.g. Kleer).

Nige

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I use Gorilla glue which is like PVA you have time to position the canopy without fear of it drying on you and if there's any excess you can wipe it away with a slighty moist cotton bud also it drys clear.

Cheers

Nige

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm a devotee of GS-Hypo cement, which you can pick up on eBay for a couple of quid. It's non-solvent, and gives a nice strong bond, with time to re-position it if necessary. It dries crystal clear (it's a watch crystal cement), and has a nice fine needle applicator, so you can put it exactly where you need it. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hmmm... Some pretty intresting comments coming up here. I think for the moment being I'm going to give a bit of PVA a go and then invest in some Krystal Klear and see what I manage with that - Unless anyone else has anything they can recommend???

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm a devotee of GS-Hypo cement, which you can pick up on eBay for a couple of quid. It's non-solvent, and gives a nice strong bond, with time to re-position it if necessary. It dries crystal clear (it's a watch crystal cement), and has a nice fine needle applicator, so you can put it exactly where you need it. :)

Mike - not tried that - does it have a trade name eg UHU Bostick etc ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hmmm... Some pretty intresting comments coming up here. I think for the moment being I'm going to give a bit of PVA a go and then invest in some Krystal Klear and see what I manage with that - Unless anyone else has anything they can recommend???

As I said earlier, Krystal Kleer is refined PVA and is almost the same product as Glue n' Glaze.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...