Miniature Tip of the Week – 5
Glue Your Model
Different glues perform differently. This week we are going to take a look into what we can do to get the best result out of our glue when assembling our models.
Super Glue (Cyanoacrylate)
As we talked before this type of glue is used on resin, metal, and all around general purpose. But it does need a bit of help when using it to assemble models.
Take a small bit of time and score all the areas where you will be gluing. Both pieces and just the areas where the glue will be. Scoring is when you take a hobby knife blade and carve lines into the area like a crosshatch pattern (tic-tac-toe board.) It takes a bit longer but the end result will dramatically improve the hold the glue has on the pieces. Here’s why.
Super glue itself dries and creates a strong bond. But that bond will only be as strong as the glues ability to hold itself to the material you are applying it to. If you place the glue on two smooth surfaces, the glue itself doesn’t really have anything to “grab” into. When we score the glue areas, we give the glue something to “grab” into and hold on. Think of it climbing a smooth rock wall. It makes it very difficult to hold on and climb being smooth. If we rough that wall up and carve hand holds into it, it now is a much easier surface to hold onto and climb.
This type of glue also works well with an accelerator. Accelerator is a catalyst that speeds up the drying process. Experiment with which one works best for you as some can make the glue brittle. I have found the Bob Smith brand seems to not cause the glue to break down.
Plastic Cement/Plastic Glue (Butyl Acetate)
This glue is mostly for models on a sprue. A lot less prep is needed for a great bond as it melts the model together. Make sure both surfaces are smooth and clear of any model debris. Just apply, hold and make sure to give ample time for it to dry before handling it too much.
This type of glue really doesn’t fill gaps the best but you can make a “Sprue Glue” out of it that will do the job. Just find a small glass container. An empty Tamiya bottle will work. Fill it half way with glue. Then add old sprue parts. This will melt and form a glob of plastic material that you can use to fill gaps and will meld to become part of the model. I typically use a toothpick or old brush to apply it. If it is too stiff, add more glue. If it is too liquidity, add more spare sprue parts.
Which ever glue you use, Clean up your mess!!! Don’t just slather it on and use too much glue. You’re gluing the pieces together, which only requires the glue where the two pieces touch. Take a moment and wipe off excess glue before it starts to do its work. This will preserve the details and help keep a nice clean look.
Just a quick tip to think about!
Written by Justin
