What type of glue or cement do I use?
Generally, most any glue or cement that is suitable for use on plastic can be used on your Revell® model kit. Tube glues, such as Testors® and Ambroid®, are the most commonly found and have a gel-like consistency. These are also made in a non-toxic formula to reduce some of the odors. Use these sparingly in order to avoid the glue "oozing" out from the parts being joined. When using tube type glues you may want to squeeze out a small amount onto a scrap piece of paper or cardboard and apply a small amount to the kit part using a toothpick to control how much glue you are applying. Many builders like to use a liquid type cement such as Testors®, Tenax® and Pro-Weld®, among others. Liquid cements can be applied using a small paint brush and can give you a nice, clean glue joint. Dip the brush in thinner from time to time to clean. Other types frequently used are 5 minute epoxy, which is best used when you need a really strong bond such as for major structural parts of the kit, or "CA" glue, which is also commonly called "super glue". CA is short for "cyanoacrylate" and don't worry, we can't pronounce it either. However, you do NOT want to use CA or super glues with clear or transparent parts as it will "fog" up the part. One last thing-you always want to use any glue or cement in a well-ventilated area and you'll also want to keep some nail polish remover nearby in case you glue your fingers together-you're not a real modeler until you've done that at least once.
October 07, 2005
Category: Building FAQs
