In an earlier era of modeling, the closest product to Walthers Goo -- that is, a contact cement -- was Pliobond, which is still made (or at least a product is out there that still uses that name). For all I know Goo is merely Pliobond repackaged because it certainly is not manufacted at the Walthers HQ in Milwaukee -- you'd smell that. (Visiting their HQ/showroom/factory building was a different olfactory experience back when they cast metal parts, printed decals, cast and painted plastic models, and made their Dio-Sol and Solva-Set there. They might have printed their own catalogs and packaging boxes back then too.)
Yet another similar product that I recall was the cement that came with the little "bicycle inner-tube repair kits" that every kid knew how to use in my youth. The top of the kit container even had a rough metal texture because you used that to roughen the texture of the rubber prior to applying the cement and the rubber patch. The smell was similar to that of Goo as I recall.
I still use Goo for certain applications, just as I still use Testors "thick" (that is, not the liquid) tubed plastic cement for certain applications. As others have noted over the years, a fresh tube of Goo is a different thing to deal with than a tube that has been sitting on the workbench for a year or so. Fresh Goo comes out translucent not solid brown, and is less inclined to form those threads or cobwebs. But of course at some point every tube of Goo is an old tube.
The other thing about Goo is that it works best when you -- now don't get angry with me here guys, I know this goes against every ingrained aspect of being a real man -- but it works best when you follow the instructions. Yes! That is, you apply it to both surfaces and wait 2 minutes or so and then press the parts or pieces together. or in the alternative, apply it to one surface, bring the two surfaces together temporarily to spread the Goo, separate them, and then wait the two minutes. And then you leave it alone while it sets and hardens. CA has spoiled us into not having to wait that long.
Having said all that the one glue or cement that never worked well for me was Ambroid, the cellulose based stuff that is. The irony is that Ambroid reportedly went into the airplane and model train kit building business to sell more 0f their canoe cement! I don't know why but ..... maybe I didn't read the instructions?!?
Dave Nelson
I switched from Walthers goo several years ago.
I found a cheaper substitute ( $ 2 for a tube)
Wal-mart carries "Shoe -Goo" and it can be found in their shoe department. It comes in a 3.7 Oz tube and is clear.
Rust...... It's a good thing !
AEP5281 oz Goo from Amazon is $9.98 with estimated "free" delivery of 11/29-12/2. 2oz E6000 is $4.92 at my local (5 minute drive) Lowes. If the OP is similarly close to Lowes or Home Depot, the choice seems pretty obvious.
Not if he wants Goo.
maxman $9.98 from Amazon delivered free to your door. Walthers list $5.98 plus shipping. Assuming substitute product between $4 and $5 plus gallon of gas around $4 plus about an hour of your time (priceless) spent looking around at store and agonizing over whether it will work as well as something I’m used to using, ............I’d just get it from Amazon.
$9.98 from Amazon delivered free to your door.
Walthers list $5.98 plus shipping.
Assuming substitute product between $4 and $5 plus gallon of gas around $4 plus about an hour of your time (priceless) spent looking around at store and agonizing over whether it will work as well as something I’m used to using, ............I’d just get it from Amazon.
I suppose it depends on the application. I have lots of glues around for different things. I've never used Goo so I don't know what it's like.
One product I like for non-stress applications in Aileen's Tacky Glue. I get it at Michaels, although I may have got my last container at the now defunct A.C. Moore, because the glue has a very long shelf life.
It's particularly good for gluing printed floors and walls inside structures, as it is thick enough to not soak through and ruin the printed surface but still thin enough to spread easily. I also like it for gluing figures to the sidewalk or wherever, as it will hold forever but will come off easily with no damage to either the surface or the figures.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I got Zap A Gap Good years ago from a hobby shop; a Walthers Goo substitute. Not sure if it's still sold. I used it to attach side panels to Walthers autorack kits.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
drgwcsBoth e6000 and goop are identical products with the goop being sold in hardware stores and the e6000 in craft stores.
ETA - at least one YouTube review of these products I saw pitted Goop and E6000 against each other and a few other similar products. Both Goop and E6000 faired very well in sheer and tension against the other products. I think E6000 in theory can damage paint more than Goop, but I try to be careful and that may well not be an issue if you're just gluing in steel weights or whatever.
I've used Goo once, and was disappointed with it...threw it out.
One of my favourite glues is gelled contact cement, from either LePage or Weldwood...it's easy to apply, not at all stringy (like most contact cements) and makes very good bonds with a variety of materials.I've used it for installing cork roadbed, and Central Valley tie strips, along with soldered-together 18' lengths of code 83 and code 70 rail.I've also used it for laying tile, applying counter-tops, and building furniture, too.
Another of my go-tos is Weldbond...they claim that it will cement anything to anything, and, so-far, at least, that rings true.
Wayne
Going to suggest a couple of things but they will be different in how they work from Goo. E6000 and goop are excellent glues that can be used with pretty much all materials that Goo can. They have the flexibility that is similar. I find their holding power and materials that they can be used with are similar. Goo is a contact cement and these are more a silicone based glue. Both e6000 and goop are identical products with the goop being sold in hardware stores and the e6000 in craft stores. Might give them a try to see what you think.
hon30critter maxman They still sell Goo. Why don't you just get more? Hi maxman, I believe the OP suggested that his closest hobby shop was too far away to make a trip just for the specific Walthers product. Cheers!! Dave
maxman They still sell Goo. Why don't you just get more?
Hi maxman,
I believe the OP suggested that his closest hobby shop was too far away to make a trip just for the specific Walthers product.
Cheers!!
Dave
I used to use a lot of 3M weatherstrip and rubber gasket adhesive in my line of work.
I recall there was a yellow, which had less solids and was a bit thinner. Then the brown that most resembled Goo and a black that was designed to work with automobile weatherstripping.
You might be able to find these at the big box stores or at a NAPA or other auto parts store.
I noticed in my last shipment of Goo that the formula changed again to something that is more translucent. Seems to still work OK but it isn't the same stuff as before.
IF I were looking in Home Depot for something similar I'd probably go with this.
Good Luck, Ed
maxmanThey still sell Goo. Why don't you just get more?
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
They still sell Goo. Why don't you just get more?
Hi markie97
I use an excellent product called GLOOZIT. There are several formulas. I use the green tube designed for hobby and craft purposes:
Like most glues of this type, it tends to form a string when you pull the tube away after applying the glue. There is a simple cure for that problem. Hold the tube in place for a couple of seconds before you pull it away, and then pull the tube away quickly. That will allow the short string to harden just enough that it will break instead of stretching out. You don't have to hold it for very long.
Try the auto parts store
https://www.permatex.com/products/gasketing/gasket-sealants/permatex-super-high-tack-gasket-sealant-1-75-oz/
Running out of Walthers Goo and wondering if there is a good substitute that I can get at Lowes or HD. Hobby shop is kind of far.
Thank you