Need Advice on Adhesives: LIONEL 15"aluminum passenger car plaques falling off

Use Goop on a toothpick.  Allows for repositioning before it dries. JohnA

Small amounts of Walthers Goo carefully applied with a toothpick to the plaques. If any gets where you don't want it let it partially dry and peel it off.

I agree that used properly, Walther's GOO will stick almost anything!  You need to be careful not to get sloppy as it's also very difficult to clean up!

I bet you get a million suggestions...I have two: original gorilla glue and gorilla glue THICK CA. Original GG is not the best choice here. It expands. But if you use a toothpick and just apply a tiny bit, then lay down some wax paper and a small weight on it, you will be good. You may have to pick some expanded stuff off the next day--this tells you that you used too much. GG THICK CA is a cyanoacrylate (sp?) glue with a thick base. Again, toothpicks and tiny amounts. Let dry overnight. Then hope you never need to get those signs off because they will NEVER come off.

Good luck.

Don Merz

I have had this issue with a few older Lionel aluminum cars. Cryano adhesives (SuperGlue and the like) are not a good choice because although they stick pretty much immediately, the name plates won't stand up to handling because the glue is fairly brittle. "Goo" or any similar household adhesive (including Elmer's) is a better bet because it has some flexibility. For that reason, I once used contact cement for this specific purpose, but the threads it almost always creates are a nuisance although they can be removed from anodized aluminum by common solvents.

Use RTV, also known as Silicone Seal. Use the original smelly stuff, not silicone 2. It will work well and stand up to handling.

Thanks for the suggestions, fellas.

I'll experiment since I have spare plaques and report my results.

Can 3M two sided automotive emblem tape be used?

I use Beacon Foam-Tac on my airplanes, glueing the soles back on my steel toed work sneekers, many many other things. Might be worth a try, is good stuff.

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@Lionel nut 2367 posted:

Can 3M two sided automotive emblem tape be used?

Yes it can be, and is the neatest & cleanest install method. Clean the back of the plate with alcohol, apply the tape, trim it to fit neatly with a razor blade, peel the backing, wipe the car with alcohol where it affixes to, and stick the name plate back where it belongs with light pressure to set the adhesive action. They’ll stay put past our lifetimes, …….clean & neat, no fuss, no muss, ….

Pat

@Pingman posted:

Thanks for the suggestions, fellas.

I'll experiment since I have spare plaques and report my results.

What did you do, and how did it work?

Great thread & info !!!

Thank you to all posters !!!

What stores sell 3M emblem tape ?

Is Goop the hand cleaner or something else ?

Thanks in advance !!!

@CBQ_Bill posted:

Great thread & info !!!

Thank you to all posters !!!

What stores sell 3M emblem tape ?

Is Goop the hand cleaner or something else ?

Thanks in advance !!!

Just about every auto parts store, and automotive refinish supply stores, or on-line sources,….if y’all need a part number, let me know, and I’ll post up that info……3M’s professional trim and emblem tape is the most aggressive, and easiest to work with…..trims well with a razor blade,….

Pat