What glue to use to assemble models. Glue for Prefab Models: Basic Concepts

Glue for prefabricated models is one of the most popular Supplies from the designer. The construction of most copies of cars and trucks, military equipment, ships and airliners cannot be done without it. Using glue allows you to assemble the model at your own discretion. With its help, the designer can join parts even from different sets (if his idea requires it).

In the online store site you can buy glue for prefabricated models of both Russian and foreign production. We offer products brands Tamiya, Aurora Hobby, Revell, Zvezda and Airfix. According to reviews from designers, the optimal price-quality ratio is glue for prefabricated models from the Zvezda company (its photo is on the website). It has already been tested by time.

Glue for plastic models is:

Cyanoacrylate. This composition is optimal when it is necessary to connect parts etched or made of epoxy resins scale model. It can also be used for gluing parts made of cardboard, wood and other materials. Even though this type of glue sets and dries quickly, the modeler has a little time after applying it to the surface to adjust the position of the parts.

It is very difficult to find good quality glue that would glue two plastic surfaces very quickly and last for a long time. In order not to look for a reliable manufacturer and not throw it away various brands glue money, make glue yourself.

We invite you to watch a video on how to make glue for making plastic parts yourself at home, using scrap materials.

To make glue for plastic, we will need:
- technical acetone;
- Styrofoam;
- a small glass bottle;
- electrical tape;
- polystyrene shavings.

Pour acetone into a bottle. We need to fill the third part of the bubble.

Add a little polystyrene foam to a bottle of acetone. You don’t have to crush the foam into small pieces; under the influence of acetone it will dissolve on its own. All we need is a piece that is the size of our little finger.

We cut several of these pieces of foam with scissors and dissolve them in a vial in acetone. No matter how much foam you add there, it will dissolve, and the liquid inside the jar will be cloudy in color.

After you have dissolved everything, the jar must be sealed tightly. To do this, tape the lid to the jar with electrical tape.

Next you need to make polystyrene additives. As an example, the photo shows you glue made from acetone, polystyrene foam and polystyrene.

Let's return again to our not yet ready glue. All we have to do is add some shavings to it, which were taken from a bush of plastic polystyrene.

Fill a jar with acetone and polystyrene foam with shavings and let it dissolve. Don’t forget to make the jar airtight and wrap everything with electrical tape again.

And finally you decided buy and assemble the model. Collected the right tool, have chosen a model and you have a question - what kind of glue should you use? At first you will think that this is too simple a question. Yes, this is true, but if you know some features. It is precisely these features that will be discussed in this article.

The choice of glue depends on the material of the parts of the model itself. Here are some examples of materials:

• details plastic models usually made of polystyrene;
• cardboard and paper;
• tree;
• resin parts;
• metal, wire, photo-etched parts.

Types of glue

• polystyrene (work is based on melting plastic);
• on water based(for example PVA);
• cyanoacrylic (for example, “Super glue”);
• based on epoxy resin.

Now you have figured out the types of materials and glue and decided to move on to next stage- to assembly.

Adhesive for plastic models

If you bought a regular plastic model, then your choice is polystyrene glue. It is usually produced by manufacturers of prefabricated models, for example - Star, Revell, Tamiya, Italeri, etc. This type works on the principle of melting plastic, that is, after its application, the plastic particles penetrate each other and harden. The glued part can be used after 1-2 hours, and it dries completely within a day. For ease of application, some manufacturers make special bottles, for example Revell makes a bottle with a needle, and Tamiya makes a bottle with a brush. Both options are very convenient to use. Glue from Zvezda comes in a regular bottle, but can be poured into a jar with a Revell needle after it's finished. A bottle with a brush is convenient to use where there are large gaps, for example, the connecting seam between the fuselage and the wing console. Please note that this type is not suitable for gluing transparent parts!

Glue for paper models

This PVA glue is ideal for paper and cardboard models. It comes in different viscosity and fluidity - it depends on the manufacturer and expiration date. As a rule, it thickens over time.

Cyanoacrylic glue

This is the so-called “Super Glue”. Thick, dries very quickly, strong but fragile connection. Suitable for assembling oil models (Resin Kits) and joining transparent parts. Available in proportions of varying thickness.

Epoxy adhesive

Its work is that the epoxy resin, together with the hardener, hardens, resulting in a strong connection of the parts. This glue is suitable for models made of wood and fiberglass, parts made of wire, photo-etching, but is completely contraindicated for models made of polystyrene, since due to its characteristics, the resin will not be able to adhere to plastic.

All types of glue for models are toxic; it is advisable to work with it in well-ventilated areas. If vapor gets into your eyes or mouth, rinse with plenty of water. Before starting work, it is advisable to read the instructions.

We hope this article helped you in assembling your models.

>> >> Model glue

Modeling is a fun and rewarding hobby for children and adults. By assembling models of cars, ships, and airplanes with your own hands, you develop imagination and creative thinking, attentiveness and perseverance.

There is a large selection of sets and individual parts in model shops for gluing, so it won’t be difficult to find interesting ideas for yourself or your child.

It's a rare modeling process that can be done without glue. Manufacturers offer big choice options. Let's figure out what types of mixtures are suitable for this hobby.

Types of glue for assembling models

• Universal standard glue. It has been used since Soviet times for working with plastic models. It is based on polystyrene and butyl acetate. It works due to the so-called welding effect. First, partial dissolution of the plastic occurs on both surfaces when the edges of the parts are connected. After the connection between the parts and the composition itself hardens, a solid joint is formed, that is, the two parts become one. The polystyrene included in it also provides grip. A special feature of this glue is that it is recommended to apply it to the products before joining, that is, first the mixture must be kept for a couple of minutes on each part, and only then connect them.

• Superfluid glue. Characterized by increased penetrating ability, liquid composition. The parts are held together by partially dissolving the plastic. The advantage of this glue is its ability to penetrate between folded parts. Another important plus is that it leaves almost no traces after hardening, only a slightly rough, cloudy surface remains. This glue for models of airplanes, cars, ships sets very quickly. For ease of use, it is recommended to use a synthetic brush.
• The glue is transparent. Designed for working with transparent parts. The parts are held together not due to the welding effect, but due to the base, which becomes transparent when dried. The mixture is applied to the surfaces of the parts for 5-10 minutes and then combined.

VIDEO ON THE TOPIC

• Cyanoacrylate glue. In our country it is better known as superglue or Super Glue. It was invented in the USA during World War II by scientists who were looking for transparent plastics for optical sights. The substance was not used then; this only happened in 1951, when the Americans needed a heat-resistant coating for the cabins of military aircraft. Then, after another seven years, the composition hit store shelves and literally amazed everyone. Today it is produced under the brands “Clayberry”, “Second”, “Monolith”, “Super Moment” and others. This is an instantly setting adhesive; maximum bond strength is achieved after two hours. Suitable for working with porous and moisture-containing materials. In modeling it has taken a leading place, as it allows you to fasten parts from different materials. In stores you can buy super glue of regular and gel consistency. The second option is more convenient to apply, as it does not spread.
• Epoxy glue. Epoxy resin when mixed with a hardener, it holds items made of fiberglass, wire, and wood well, but dissolves parts made of polystyrene. Epoxy two-component adhesives They are presented not only in ordinary tubes, there is also packaging specifically for modeling. For example, with “Contact” glue, you can squeeze out both the resin and the hardener at the same time, and they will be mixed in a special compartment in equal proportions.

The choice of modeling tools is very large. Let's look at the most popular ones.

Models of any complexity are made from plastic - airplanes, ships, cars. High-quality glue for this material should not spread over smooth surface, so it must be selected carefully.

There are many manufacturers producing adhesives specifically for plastic. So, you can safely use polystyrene compounds from Revell, Italeri, Tamiya, Zvezda. Despite the similarity of properties, they can be divided into three groups:

1. Liquid - sold in polyethylene bottles with a convenient applicator.
2. Medium density - presented in glass jars with a brush on the lid.
3. Thick ones are packaged in tubes. They harden the slowest, so they allow you to work without rushing.

1. You should not add too much mixture to the junction of parts; you risk staining your hands, tools and the parts themselves with the leaking excess,
2. if a drop gets on a part, do not try to wipe it off, wait until the composition dries and sand this area,
3. the liquid glue should not get under the masking tape, otherwise, after completing the work and removing the film, you will find that the plastic underneath has “floated”,
4. the place where the super glue is connected turns out to be fragile, so it is better not to touch it, you can additionally degrease it,
5. follow the instructions for use indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging,
6. use the products strictly for their intended purpose and only for the materials for which they are intended,
7. When working with toxic compounds, it is recommended to use protective gloves.

If you are interested in creating plastic models (airplanes, cars, ships), then you are probably looking for high-quality plastic glue. After all, it must adhere well even on a smooth surface, and this is not always easy to achieve.

Purpose of glue

When gluing parts of a product, appropriate model glue is most often used to fasten plastic elements. With its help, you can easily make any fantasy of assembling an airplane from a variety of parts into reality.

Anyone who wants to receive quality assembled model, as in the photo, tries to carefully finish and work out every detail. If an error is made when assembling any element, then the entire structure will look sloppy or become insufficiently stable.

Types of glue

So, you have purchased everything you need plastic parts and spare parts for your future model, all that remains is to assemble it. What glue to choose for airplane models?

Many masters prefer Russian manufacturers. One of these is a special glue for plastic models called “Star”, used for assembling products. But do not rush to immediately purchase the proposed product; first, decide on the type of material from which your design consists. It could be:

• cardboard or paper;
• resin parts;
• plastic parts;
• metal parts.

Now let's move on to the next step - we will decide on the means of fastening parts of the product from different types material. The model can be glued together using the following types glue:

1. Polystyrene - designed for work based on melting plastic parts.
2. Water-based adhesives.
3. Cyanoacrylic.
4. Products based on epoxy resin.

These are the most common options for fastening model spare parts by connecting them. Today, glue for plastic models is so widespread that it can be purchased at any specialty store.

Types of products for plastic

Exists a large number of companies engaged in the production of glue exclusively for plastic structures. The polystyrene type is perfect for assembling models. Manufacturers such as Zvezda, Tamiya, Italeri, Revell and others are actively involved in its production.

But they are all similar in their properties. However, depending on density, they are usually divided into groups:

1. Liquid - are produced mainly in polyethylene bottles and have a special applicator that makes the work easier. Examples: Italeri, Faller, Zvezda, Humbrol, Revell, Auhagen and Tamiya.

2. Medium density - produced in durable glass vials, the kit also includes a brush-shaped applicator on a cork.

3. Thick - available in small tubes. The main advantage is that this glue dries much longer than others, which allows you to work slowly and not think about how to replace a poorly glued part.

As stated earlier, polystyrene glue operates on the principle of melting plastic. In other words, when applying the “Star” or other product, its smallest particles penetrate inside the surfaces being glued and then harden, thereby adhering the plastic parts of the model. The spare parts finally dry out after a day, but they can be used after 60-120 minutes.

Revell glue manufacturers make special cans with a needle to ensure maximum ease of use. You can see how to use it in the video. Tamiya makes brush cans. Thus, the bottle can help you out if you are dealing with crevices. But the Zvezda adhesive does not include any other device in its kit to make it easier to use.

Other types

As for other glue options, their use when connecting parts of a plastic model is quite doubtful. For example, a product designed for bonding paper parts is in no way suitable for bonding metal or plastic. The same can be said about other types of glue. Therefore, when purchasing this material, it is better to once again make sure which glue for plastic models is suitable for you.