Plastic cement is a common adhesive used in model construction. If you’ve ever worked on a model car or plane, chances are you’ve used it before.
It is meant to bond polystyrene plastic, which is the type of plastic that most scale models are made out of. It does this by fusing the molecules together. Plastic cement can also be used for other types of plastic, but not all of them.
Does plastic cement work on resin?
The short answer: Yes, plastic cement can work on resin.
However, that doesn’t mean you should use it. Plastic cement is designed to bond styrene, which is what model kits are made of. It melts and fuses the styrene together.
While it will technically bond with resin, there’s a much better option available: epoxy. Epoxies are two-part adhesives that are specially formulated to bond plastics and resins (since they’re similar materials).
Plastic cement should never be used on polystyrene (“styrofoam”).
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Can I use plastic cement on resin?
Yes, you can use plastic cement on resin. Plastic cement is an adhesive substance that is intended to be used with plastic model kits and other plastic materials. Since resin is a type of plastic, it can be easily glued together using this product.
There are some types of plastics that are not compatible with plastic cement, but in general, most types will work with it just fine.
I recommend reading the instructions or asking the manufacturer for advice before attempting to join two pieces of resin together using this method.
How do you glue resin?
You can use any of the following to glue plastic models:
- Resin glue, typically labeled as “super glue”
- Plastic cement, which is basically super-duper resin glue. It is much stronger than regular superglue, so it’s ideal if you want a particularly strong bond.
- Epoxy, in particular, two-part epoxy
- Hot glue guns (the high-temperature type)
- Gorilla Glue and other polyurethane glues (these expand while curing)
Can I use Gorilla glue on resin?
While plastic cement might be a good choice for plastic, it’s not recommended for resin.
Instead, you may want to consider using other adhesives such as super glues, epoxies, or two part adhesives.
We typically recommend three different options: Loctite Super Glue Gel Control for small parts and applications, Loctite Epoxy Plastic Bonder for more rigid bonds, and Loctite Metal and Concrete Epoxy for larger projects with heavier materials.
What does plastic glue work on?
Plastic cement is designed to work on a variety of plastic types, but the most common usage of these adhesives is for bonding styrene, which is used to make many models.
Some modelers use this type of glue when working with resin kits as well. It is important to keep in mind that not all plastic cement is the same, and some are formulated to work best with specific types of plastic.
However, they will all bond styrene well enough for most situations. Use caution when using these glues on other plastics such as PVC or ABS because they may cause damage over time due to chemical reactions in these materials.
Most people think of cyanoacrylate glue (superglue) when discussing bonding acrylics or polycarbonates together; however, there are other options available that can also be used if needed
Does thin cement work on resin?
The short answer to this question is yes, you can use thin cement on resin. It will work. Thin cement will fill gaps between parts and bond them together, which will temporarily hold your resin model together.
That said, there are several reasons why you should reconsider using thin cement for your resin models.
First of all, thin cement is not very waterproof or flexible. If a gap in the glue appears, it exposes the model to water damage that could cause it to break apart over time or warp under extreme conditions (such as long periods in high humidity).
Badly bonded seams may also be easier for the model to snag on things and pull apart if it’s subjected to stress.
If you’re going to go through the trouble of building your own miniature models from scratch by purchasing a 3D printer and printing out individual pieces of resin (which is no small feat), then you want your finished models to be durable enough that they’ll last a long time without falling apart or warping on you when they’re exposed to regular wear-and-tear.
Your best bet is to use a type of glue that’s made specifically for gluing resin miniatures together—thin cement just won’t stand up well enough over time when compared with glues designed for this specific purpose.
Does super glue melt resin?
So, you’re asking yourself, ‘what is the best type of glue to use on resin?’ Then this article is for you. We’ll compare two types of glues in this section: plastic cement and superglue (cyanoacrylate).
What glue can I use on resin?
Resin can be a tricky thing to glue: it’s often not very porous and if you use the wrong kind of glue, it’ll break or melt. You need a specialized kind of glue called plastic cement, which is available at most hardware stores and sometimes big box stores.
It’s also called model glue. The best way to use plastic cement on your resin is to get an old paintbrush, dip it in the glue, and then make a thin line of the stuff down one edge of the two pieces you want to stick together. Then press them together for about 10 seconds.
If you’re using metal pieces, do this before painting or priming them: that way the paint will stick well too.
Conclusion
It’s a great hobby, it’s really fun and relaxing. There are many different types of models too. You can go by plane, cars, bikes, trains and many more.
If you like to build things then this is definitely a good hobby for you to try out. Doing this as a hobby will keep your mind sharp while developing new skills along the way.
