help: model glue

[Fox]

Plastic glue, also known as model cement, butanone or plastic cement, is not really a glue, despite what the name says. It's actually a solvent that will melt the surface of most plastics that it touches, thus effectively turning two halves into one solid piece. Cyanoacrylate glues or superglue, as it's more commonly known, will create a crystalline bond between two surfaces once it dries.

It's best to use the right glue for a specific job. If you need to secure two plastic surfaces together permanently, it's best to use plastic cement to weld them. If it's just for a temporary fix or if you're working with multiple types of material (i.e resin, plastic and steel), go for superglue.

Also, don't go overboard when applying whichever glue you're using. In the case of plastic cement, a very thin film along just one surface will generally suffice in mating the two halves together. Just press or clamp them together for a couple of hours or leave it overnight. You can then sand or trim off the remainder in the morning. For superglue, one small drop per square inch of material will be enough. Again, it's best to apply pressure to the pieces after joining them.