Search Tips

Tips categories

Latest Tips

What is a solenoid?
Posted in: Power and control
24th September 2020
If you are building or own a model railway layout, then you have likely heard the word solenoid, a lot! and that is...
Read more
What is an ETHEL unit?
Posted in: Model Railway, Rolling stock
24th March 2020
ETHEL stands for Electric Train Heating Ex Locomotive and was the designation given to three class 25 diesel...
Read more
What are dry rub transfers?
Posted in: Kit building, Decals / Transfers
23rd April 2020
Transfers, also called decals, are an excellent way to apply extra detail to your models. Whether it be signposts,...
Read more
Is DCC better than analogue?
Posted in: Model Railway, Power and control
17th December 2019
This is really a matter of personal choice and what you want to get out of your model railway. There is a lot to be...
Read more
How much should I spend on a locomotive?
Posted in: Model Railway, Rolling stock
19th December 2019
It goes back to the old saying: you get what you pay for. The more expensive locomotives out there have slightly...
Read more

What to do when plastic cement doesn't cement!

Plastic cement is a formula that temporarily softens and melts the surface of most plastics. This makes it very useful for constructing plastic kits because two surfaces can be bonded together permanently and neatly without the use of messier glues. But now and then, you may come across a type of plastic that simply refuses to bond.

These are often much harder types of plastic such as the kind used on a lot of older model railway locomotive chassis, and often the only way to know (without being a plastic expert) whether plastic cement will work, is to give it a go.

That all seems straightforward enough, however, what you may not know is that plastic cements have different strengths, so it could be that you don't need to throw in the towel just yet.

Plastic Magic is a brand of plastic cement that sits nicely in the middle of the strength range. It is an accomplished product for everyday uses such as building plastic kits. If you require something a little stronger, try Plastic Weld, or stronger still, Mek-Pak. Mek-Pak is about as strong as you are going to get, so if it still doesn't work on plastic, alas, it's time to break out the cyanoacrylate (Super Glue).

It is extremely unlikely that a mid-range plastic cement such as Plastic Magic will be that strong that it causes damage to your model, but, if you require something weaker to give you a little more positioning time, Revell's Contacta Cement or Humbrol's Liquid Poly are a good option with Poly Cement coming in at the bottom of the potency table.

Although it is unrealistic to have every single tool, formula, solution, potion, widget and gadget in your toolbox for every conceivable eventuality, it may be worth your while having at least two of the plastic cements to hand, a stronger one for repairs, and a weaker one for kit building.

Posted in: Assembling and gluing

Click here to receive the tips weekly in your mailbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.