Installing Plastic "Glass" in Window Frames

[richhotrain]

Over the years, I have tried different types of glues to bind the clear plastic windows to the plastic window frames. There is always a risk of smearing no matter how carefully you work, especially if you have to press the windows againsts the frames.

Well, those days may be over. Yesterday, I used a thin bamboo skewer to apply dabs of hot glue against the sides of the windows after laying them on the window frames. It worked perfectly.  

Just thought that I would share that idea with the rest of you.

Rich

[rrebell]

I have no trouble with tube glue but I just use a dab in the corners of the frame, sometimes an extra dab on big windows. You have to start with a dab of glue on a card and grab a toothpick to do the dabbing then press window in place and be willing to use a fresh dab of glue every few windows as the stuff becomes stringy fast

[RR_Mel]

Thanks Rich!

 

I gave your idea a shot using a toothpick and it works.  The first try didn’t do well, the glue cooled too quickly.  Moving fast it works slick.

 

 

Mel

 

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[richhotrain]

RR_Mel

Thanks Rich!

 

I gave your idea a shot using a toothpick and it works.  The first try didn’t do well, the glue cooled too quickly.  Moving fast it works slick.

 

 

Mel

Mel, I experimented with the toothpick and the dab cooled too quickly, just like happened to you.  So, I went to the bamboo skewer, and the bigger dab held the heat long enough.  The bamboo skewer is about 5" long and a thickness somewhere between a toothpick and a pencil.  Any grocery store will carry them cheap.

[richhotrain]

rrebell

I have no trouble with tube glue but I just use a dab in the corners of the frame, sometimes an extra dab on big windows. You have to start with a dab of glue on a card and grab a toothpick to do the dabbing then press window in place and be willing to use a fresh dab of glue every few windows as the stuff becomes stringy fast

 

As I said, I will never use glue again.

Rich

[mlehman]

Rich,

I share your frustrations here. I may give this a try, though. I will note that me and hot glue tends to be frenemies. You want it around to enjoy its company at times and other times it can be a royal pain...

Do you just set the gun on the stand that most come with and dip into the hot dribble that oozes out with the skewer or is there a more advanced technique?

[RR_Mel]

I have an older Sears Craftsman glue gun that came with a 1/16” tubular tip.  I haven’t tried the tube tip before so I decided to give it a try this morning.  I took forever to get the tip hot enough for the glue to flow but it worked out very good.

 

The Craftsman glue gun doesn’t use standard size glue sticks, they’re much smaller in diameter than my other glue guns.  Because of the smaller glue sticks I haven’t used it very often but I will from now on for doing windows.

 

Thanks again Rich

 

 

Mel

 

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

[hornblower]

I like to use either Woodland Scenics Accent Glue or Micro Mark PSA cement to install clear window glazing.  Both of these glues "dry" clear but remain tacky.  Let either glue dry, then carefully place your glazing in, or behind, the window frame and press into place. Since the glue is already dry, it cannot ooze onto visible portions of the glazing.  If you "miss" while placing your glazing piece, just peel it off and try again.  The WS Accent glue is a little better in this respect although any PSA that sticks to the glazing piece after peeling can be removed with a little alcohol before attempting to reposition the glazing piece.