Glue for Windows

I'll probably get laughed at for saying this, but I've always used plain ol' Elmer's glue; it dries clear and doesn't "fog" the window material... 

Mark in Oregon

Testors clear parts cement & window maker, works great on clear plastic windows.

Double sided clear tape!

A second for Elmer's glue.

Simon

ALeene's  7800 All Purpose Adhesive,  or E6000 which is the same, both clear,  at Walmart or Hobby Lobby.

You will find this a great glue that is flexible, water proof and very sticky and has a 1000 uses.

It sticks to PVC electrical tape and does well on greasy plastics like Delrin too.

See my post below on my use of Aleene's to fix a broken Delrin Lionel truck side.

https://ogrforum.com/...elphin-plastic-truck

Charlie

Billyted posted:

Testors clear parts cement & window maker, works great on clear plastic windows.

I'll second this stuff.  It is thin enough that it will wick in between the clear window material and the surface that is touching, but not so thin that it will run.  It's just thick enough that you can lay a thin bead around the window opening if you prefer and simply drop the clear material in place.  Dries crystal clear.

I believe it is slightly flexible when dry, whereas I imagine Elmer's glue is probably not quite as flexible when dry.  I've never had any windows fall out yet when using the clear parts cement.  Although to be honest, never have tried Elmer's for cementing clear window material either.

Should be able to buy it at any hobby shop or craft store wherever Testors products are sold.

Testors clear parts cement & window maker

Presume this means one can actually MAKE plastic windows with this stuff. Can anyone elaborate?

Simon

Simon Winter posted:

Testors clear parts cement & window maker

Presume this means one can actually MAKE plastic windows with this stuff. Can anyone elaborate?

Simon

Yes, but probably best for smaller openings, I'm guessing.  How small?  I don't know.  Maybe up to 1" square or thereabouts?  Maybe bigger?  Maybe not that big???  I haven't ever tried it yet for making windows.  Your guess is as good as mine at this point.

From the bottle instructions: "Dip a small brush handle into the cement and ease the handle around the window opening and then pull it out leaving a thin layer of film.  This will dry as clear as glass."

Think blowing soap bubbles - somewhat similar to the round wand opening that's pulled from the bubble solution and has a relatively clear soap film across the opening.

When you say Elmer's glue which one?

There are many. Thanks. Roo.

I've had really great success with this product.  I use it on my clear RC airplane canopies.  No hazing, dries clear and remains flexible.  The applicator rotates so you can put it on as thin or as heavy as you want.

Have Fun!

Ron

Roo posted:

When you say Elmer's glue which one?

There are many. Thanks. Roo.

This is what I have on hand:

Probably bought this 15 years ago for our son's school supplies: (he's 24 now). It's still 1/2 full and shows no signs of drying out or "weakening" over time...

FWIW, I also use this for building wooden structures: I use it like contact cement. A little on both pieces, let it set up a bit, then attach. Works great. Just make sure the pieces are painted/stained first! 

Mark in Oregon

Canopy adhesive. Gets its name from model plane builders using it to glue the airplane "canopy".

It doesn't fog the windows, sets up fast so they don't fall out, and remains flexible.

Can be found numerous places online, ebay, Amazon etc. Or the local hobby store.

I use Tester's Clear Parts Cement.  It's the same capability as the Canopy Glue above, but it has a nice long skinny nozzle that allows you to put the glue where you need it.

I have used both diluted Elmers white glue and Canopy glue.  Both have caporlary action that works well if the area to be glazed is relatively flat.  Both dry clear.

John's choice will also make the window itself, if not too large.

Billyted posted:

Testors clear parts cement & window maker, works great on clear plastic windows.

Agree on the Testors.  Also nice because on a small gap you can actually create a window because it dries very clear.  Also, canopy glue from RC planes will also work well.  They do not attack the item you are gluing.

Roo,

Plain old "Glue All" as mentioned above!

G'day,

Simon

Thanks to all who responded.  I will be making a list of all the suggestions and try some out on scrap before taking the plunge and fixing the cars in need.

Regards,

Ed

Hi Ed, hope I'm not hijacking your thread it looks like you have plenty of ideas for what your doing so It shouldn't interfere with your query.

What I have to do is glue wooden laser cut frames to clear styrene like sandwich the frames between the styrene. I believe super glue has been used in the past. I saw this done on a building at the Telford (UK) O scale show back a couple of years ago and I had the window frames made up using my dimensions if I can work this out it will be great because I had the window frames made in three sizes this is the biggest and I intend to use them on a Boiler House I'm building....

Avoid super-glue, aka CA Adhesive for clear plastic, it will cloud it.  Use a clear drying cement that doesn't cloud the plastic.

Saw this window glazing product the other day but can't vouch for it ….

http://modeltechstudios.com/20...talclearwindows.aspx

Richie C. posted:

Saw this window glazing product the other day but can't vouch for it ….

http://modeltechstudios.com/20...talclearwindows.aspx

 

Good for you blokes no good for me won't ship International. 

John, your right on using the CA glues. I'll experiment with other glues I have plenty of frames. Roo.

Roo posted:

John, your right on using the CA glues. I'll experiment with other glues I have plenty of frames. Roo.

I knew I was right on that one, just don't ask me how I know for sure!

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Avoid super-glue, aka CA Adhesive for clear plastic, it will cloud it.

Not all plastics are affected by CA; polycarbonate (Lexan) is not and it is available in several thicknesses from Clover House for glazing material. I tossed all of my clear styrene and moved over to this for glazing windows and doors when not using actual glass.

Just finished tallying the responses.  Testor's Clear Parts Cement & Window Maker had the most votes at 5.  Elmer's Glue-All came in second with 4.

Off to the hobby shop for some Tester's tomorrow.  I already have a gallon of Elmer's on hand.

Thanks again.

Ed