Glue is a key component of any modellers tool kit. But there are so many different types available. Here’s a quick run down of the major types of glue you’ll need for modelling and what to use for different materials.
Polystyrene Cement
When to use: Hard plastics; creates a solid join that’s often stronger than the plastics it’s joining.
When not to use: On surface areas or detail elements and on materials other than plastic — it melts the surfaces of the plastics, bonding them together before hardening again — so don’t use on any area where you want to keep the finish.
Epoxy Resins
When to use: Like superglue, good for joining just about any material to any other material but can be messy. The most commonly known brand in the UK is Araldite, made famous when a Ford Cortina car was glued to a billboard in London. I also prefer it for metal war game miniatures as it’s sticky nature means I can apply it with a needle (or my DIY precision applicator) more precisely that the fluid of superglue and you have a bit more time to finely position objects being glued together but that’s just personal preference.
When not to use: Its application usually involves mixing a hardener and adhesive liquids so it can be messy to use and it’s judging the amount needed is difficult. It can also have a long drying time and for these reasons, it’s not a favourite glue amongst modellers but is useful for securing large scenery items to baseboards and metals.
ModelRailwayEngineer Quick Tips
Looking for a glue for a particular material, look no further.
- Paper/Card: PVA or Uhu
- Plastics: Superglues / Epoxy resin / Uhu
- Clear Plastics: Clearfix
- Cork (track bedding): PVA
- Scenery Items (Figures etc): Uhu, Epoxy, PVA
- Polystyrene (Hills, etc): PVA / Solvent-free glues
- Different Materials (Plastic to Metal etc): Epoxy Resins or Superglue
Uhu Glue
When to use: Uhu is a great general purpose glue which most modellers have in their tool box. It’s good for plastics, paper and card. As a clear glue that doesn’t destroy the surface of the material it’s also good for joins that will be visible.
When not to use: Some modellers find the bond it creates can be weak and it can become stringy when being applied.
Superglues
When to use: Great for pretty creating a strong join between much anything except (including fingers!) and a quick dry time is required (most main brand glues of this type set in about 30 seconds, being permanent in 2 hours). Great for delicate plastic models that need holding in place until fixed.
When not to use: The rapid fix time of ‘Super glues’ makes it difficult to work with, once glued it’s hard, if not impossible, to separate without damage. Keep away from Children in particular.
Tip: Superglues, or Cyanoacrylate adhesives, once opened have a short life span, typically under a month so don’t open until you really need to use them.
‘Clearfix’ Glues
When to use: For windows, clear parts or surface detail areas where it’s important no traces of the glue is visible.
Also good for applying chalks during weathering (see chalk weathering tips). Humbrol Clearfix is the most common but other makes are available.
Clearfix can also be used to create windows. A tutorial to do this is shown in the video clip below.
When not to use: Clearfix glue doesn’t create as strong a bond as the above glues so don’t use on the structural joins of buildings.
For windows etc, however, they can’t be beaten.
PVA – Polyvinyl acetate – Glue
When to use: Applying to large areas for fixing landscaping materials into place and for paper and card, Metcalfe models etc. Also good for holding wood in place prior to screws during baseboard construction. See the best glue for polystyrene.
When not to use: Tends to be weak, doesn’t work on plastics/metals etc.
Extra: How To Use Clearfix To Make Windows
Clearfix doesn’t have to be used just to glue windows in place, it can also be used to make the window itself – perhaps on a loco cabin. Here’s a tutorial on doing this in Clearfix.
If you found this article useful, you might also find 17 essential model railway tools helpful.
My grateful thanks to @BURTONBRADSTOCK for help and expertise in producing this post.
Andy is a lifelong modeler, writer, and founder of modelrailwayengineer.com. He has been building model railways, dioramas, and miniatures for over 20 years. His passion for model making and railways began when he was a child, building his first layout at the age of seven.
Andy’s particular passion is making scenery and structures in 4mm scale, which he sells commercially. He is particularly interested in modelling the railways of South West England during the late Victorian/early Edwardian era, although he also enjoys making sci-fi and fantasy figures and dioramas. His website has won several awards, and he is a member of MERG (Model Railway Electronics Group) and the 009 Society.
When not making models, Andy lives in Surrey with his wife and teenage son. Other interests include history, science fiction, photography, and programming. Read more about Andy.
@BURT0NBRADST0CK Updated the post btw – http://t.co/HMKj5EPSol