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glue for signs

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  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Littleton, CO
  • 100 posts
glue for signs
Posted by D&RGWRR476 on Thursday, February 14, 2019 6:55 PM

Hi Folks,

What is the best glue to use when glueing paper signs on to a painted, wood structure?

thank you,

Yours In Model Railroading,

John

Littleton, CO

 

  • Member since
    December 2010
  • From: Portland, Oregon
  • 658 posts
Posted by Attuvian on Thursday, February 14, 2019 7:31 PM

John,

How much texture to the painted surface?  I'm thinking white glue would do nicely (perhaps thinned a tad) but you've got to be prepared for a bit of curl before its affixed, the smaller and thinner the sign material, the more likely.  Have to get the glue right up to the edge to eliminate edge gaps.  That's where white glue has an advantage: any small amount of excess pressed out from underneath washes right off.

(Another) John

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,580 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Thursday, February 14, 2019 7:36 PM

Hi John,

Plain white glue works well. As the other John said, any excess can be washed off.

If you are mounting the sign on a surface like clapboard, and you want it to look like the sign was painted on, you might consider sanding the back of the sign to make the paper thinner. It takes a gentle touch and you have to take your time but the results are great.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Thursday, February 14, 2019 7:38 PM

This thread covers more than paper signs, but you might find it useful

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/p/269486/3055793.aspx#3055793

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Canada, eh?
  • 13,375 posts
Posted by doctorwayne on Thursday, February 14, 2019 11:27 PM

hon30critter
...Plain white glue works well....

Most of my signs are printed on heavy paper stock and affixed to sheet styrene built-up to accommodate each particular sign, using contact cement....

These were done with dry transfer alphabet sets...

...while this one (and several others like it) were done with my airbrush, using a stencil I cut from cardstock...

However, for placing signs directly on structures, especially brick or clapboard siding, white glue works well. 
I lightly sanded the back of the poster, below, before painting-on some white glue, then used my fingernails to make it conform to the board detail...

Wayne

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: New England
  • 6,241 posts
Posted by Jumijo on Friday, February 15, 2019 2:18 PM

Spray adhesive

 

Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Littleton, CO
  • 100 posts
Posted by D&RGWRR476 on Friday, February 15, 2019 8:57 PM
Hi John, Thanks you for the tip. the surface is small.

Yours In Model Railroading,

John

Littleton, CO

 

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Littleton, CO
  • 100 posts
Posted by D&RGWRR476 on Friday, February 15, 2019 8:58 PM
Dave, thank you for the idea and the sanding idea. I will give sanding a try.

Yours In Model Railroading,

John

Littleton, CO

 

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Littleton, CO
  • 100 posts
Posted by D&RGWRR476 on Friday, February 15, 2019 8:58 PM
Henry, thanks for the link. Good info.

Yours In Model Railroading,

John

Littleton, CO

 

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Littleton, CO
  • 100 posts
Posted by D&RGWRR476 on Friday, February 15, 2019 8:59 PM
Wayne, Great looking signs! thanks for the info and the ideas.

Yours In Model Railroading,

John

Littleton, CO

 

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Littleton, CO
  • 100 posts
Posted by D&RGWRR476 on Friday, February 15, 2019 9:01 PM
Jumijo, And thanks for your tip on a spray adhesive. FYI: 1.5 years ago I was at the Baltimore waterfront and went and toured the B&O museum.

Yours In Model Railroading,

John

Littleton, CO

 

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