Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Plastruct Plastic Weld?

6358 views
6 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Simi Valley, California
  • 100 posts
Plastruct Plastic Weld?
Posted by Idaho Trains on Thursday, October 8, 2009 4:10 PM

Hello,

I have a question about Plastic Weld from Plastruct. Is this glue compatible with DBM and Walthers plastic kits? I built the Walthers Deisel Fueling Depot and I have noticed now the parts are just starting to fall off easily. It is like the glue is not holding. I want to buiild some more kits but not sure if I should use this glue again or get something else.

Thank you,

Jeff

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • 1,511 posts
Posted by pastorbob on Thursday, October 8, 2009 4:16 PM

It has been mannnnnnny moons, but I recall when I tried it on non Plasticweld plastic, it did not do well.

Bob

Bob Miller http://www.atsfmodelrailroads.com/
  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: East Peoria, Illinois
  • 4 posts
Posted by cbltec552 on Thursday, October 8, 2009 10:10 PM

Jeff,

Plasticweld is designed to bond dissimilar plastics, such as abs to styrene. Bondene, also made by plastruct, is for same plastics like styrene to styrene. I have had great luck with the Testors liquid cement for styrene applications.         Chris Nelson

Chris Nelson
  • Member since
    August 2008
  • 357 posts
Posted by EM-1 on Thursday, October 8, 2009 10:38 PM

I just tried to use Plasticweld on a repair today.  Didn't even haze the plastic.  Made the repair with Tenax 7R.  Rarely do I use anything but the Tenax on anything anymore.

However, in the past, I have been able to use the Plasticweld on Plastistruct shapes and sheet material without problem.

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • 2,751 posts
Posted by Allegheny2-6-6-6 on Friday, October 9, 2009 8:19 AM

I personally prefer Tenax but do also use Plastruct plastic weld (the orange label) & Bondene (the white label) Plastic Weld is a general purpose cement so it may not work well on what your using.. Bondene is made specifically for styrene and ABS plastics. both work well depending on the application. I have found a few things about Plastruct glue though that you should be aware of. A: It doesn't seem to have a very long shelf life, once it's opened it seems you have to seal the bottle immediately after you apply the glue. There are times when gluing several parts all at the same time lets say a row of windows in a structure that I just keep dipping the glue brush in it until I'm done and then put the cap back on, which brings me to the second issue. there are times you may get a little bit of paint on the glue brush and if you did it back in the bottle the glue doesn't seem to respond well to contamination. I am just guess as I sucked at chemistry that there must be something in the paint that reacts with the glue. The only advantage I can say I see of using Plastruct over Tenax is if you put glue on both surfaces and give it a second to flash up the bond seems to happen immediately. I had to choose one over the other I would definitely choose Tenax hands down.

Just my 2 cents worth, I spent the rest on trains. If you choked a Smurf what color would he turn?
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Simi Valley, California
  • 100 posts
Posted by Idaho Trains on Friday, October 9, 2009 9:27 AM

Thank you everyone,

I picked up some Testors Liquid cement and Tenax. I used both last night and they worked great.

 Jeff

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Clinton, MO, US
  • 4,261 posts
Posted by Medina1128 on Friday, October 9, 2009 11:13 AM

I bought a can of MEK (methyl ethyl ketone) from Ace Hardware. It comes in a quart can, and it's a lot cheaper than either Testors or Tenax. A quart can costs about the same as those little bottles. I have a couple of bottles of Tenax. When I run out, I just refill the bottles with a small metal funnel. It works great on just about any plastic. Just be sure to use it in a well ventilated area.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!