Your adhesives, experiance and reviews

[OldNoob]

Thought i would start a topic where modelers could share their experience and reviews of the various adhesives that we use.

[OldNoob]

Plastruct Plastic weld and Acrylic weld No4

I've come to the conclusion that the two products are basically the same.
The adhesives work OK IF the following conditions are met
1. Used on large, clean and flush mating surfaces of Acrylics and Polystyrene models

2. Applied using the "Wicking" method, putting the parts together and then applying the solvent/adhesive to the seam. i find trying to put this adhesive on both parts and then trying to clamp the parts together yields poor adhesion results.

3. 24 hour or longer cure time is observed.(just don't even touch it)
Even though the products say 1 to 2 minute working time i've found that is just not the case. Any sort of movement of the mated surfaces compromises the bond.

I've also noticed these products don't do well if applied any where near an area where "super glue" has been used. Oddly superglue and these products seem to cancel out each others effectiveness if they are anywhere near each other.

[Rokket]

thanks for the info!

[OldNoob]

For superglue that can be found in most local hardware stores and large retail chain stores, I've found Loctite professional to be a very good glue.

A couple of seconds in working time it also seems to not leave a surrounding vapor chalk (etching) around glued spots as bad as other lesser priced glues.

[Rokket]

I am a huge fan of the modeler stuff, different brands, it's Thick & Slow gel-like. Very useful. (The thin runny stuff can drip here and there where you don't want).

[Rokket]

oooh-ooh - forgot to mention, I also like CA accelerator. Not for everything, but when you need it done fast.

[OldNoob]

oooh-ooh - forgot to mention, I also like CA accelerator. Not for everything, but when you need it done fast.

Oh yes! I like using the accelerator also especially on the gels.
But i found that on Very very old models the accelerator will make the plastic extremely brittle. so i learned to apply it with a strip of paper or something disposable to limit the coverage area instead of using the little pump that comes with it.
Sadly i can't find it locally anymore. It's really sad to see the privetly owned hobby stores disappearing.

Some great CA providers are:

Zap glues. They offer a wide range of hobbyist glues.
http://www.zapglue.com/#!zap-images/c14el

GreatPlanes offers a line of CA products, but usually somewhat more expensive then their competitors.
http://www.greatplanes.com/faq/adhesives.html

HobbyExpress (Formally HobbyLobby not to be confused with the large retail store Hobby Lobby)
Also has their own line of adhesives.
http://www.hobbyexpress.com/hobby_express_glues_accelerators_466_ctg.htm

And then there is Mercury Adhesives. A fine product from a fine company
In the US, Many serious R/C modelers prefer this brand.
http://www.mercuryadhesives.com/


 

[Rokket]

Nice tip on the paper. I sometimes use a cotton swab.

The accelerator smells awful, and reminds me of ether, though I have no memory of exposure to ether, maybe it's mothballs. (Although there was that one time when this guy held out a handkerchef and asked me if I thought it smelled like ether... I forget...)