Plasticville buildings

You could use some clear Latex caulking sparingly on the inside seams to hold them together and it should be easy to remove and not melt or harm the plastic.  It is less expensive to buy the 2 inch diameter tubes for use in a caulking gun.

Charlie

The answer can be yes or no. If you plan on using them only on your layout, then by all means, glue them as it suits you. If you ever plan to SELL them, or sell them to MAKE a little PROFIT, then do not glue them, and be sure and keep the original box. 

Jeff

The latex caulk sounds like a good idea. I was leaning to hot glue, but caulk will be a better option. I don't know why I didn't think of it as I use it on my HO layout!! The other conundrum is do I want to resell later or enjoy them and let my kids deal with them later. Thanks for the ideas and food for thought. John

I like rubber cement, it holds things together, and easily comes off when you want to take things apart. And, when you take the thing apart, the rubber cement peels off and the thing is as good as new.

Not sure if it holds strongly enough for your purpose: to have the Plasticville stay on the layout when you flip it up, but I think it might.

Arnold

I don't know how well rubber cement would hold up to the movement.  Once I get all the things accomplished I hope to not have to lift it up often. Right now it seems I am doing it every other day! Thanks John

Try Alien tape (as seen on TV) It works!

Shifting gears a little bit - how do you folks cement layers of pink foam.  Hot glue melts it, Elmers white liquid glue drys white and takes forever to dry.  One other one I tried and sprayed carefully caused a slight shallow erosion.  I use bamboo stakes now, but that is simply wrong.  Thanks in advance

@Chuck242 posted:

Shifting gears a little bit - how do you folks cement layers of pink foam.  Hot glue melts it, Elmers white liquid glue drys white and takes forever to dry.  One other one I tried and sprayed carefully caused a slight shallow erosion.  I use bamboo stakes now, but that is simply wrong.  Thanks in advance

I use latex caulk. And a few brads to hold the foam in position.

As to gluing the foam. I have always used "Liquid Nails For Projects". It holds it nicely, sets up pretty quick, and no chemicals in it that will attack the foam. I get the big tubes that fit in my caulking gun.

Jeff

I haven't seen alien tape yet(I don't go to the big box stores much, that's the other half's bailiwick. I have some Gorilla double sided tape that looks and acts like alien tape might try that. Some thing else popped into my mind is using magnets to hold them to the platform. Lot's to think about while waiting for the leds to arrive. John

I use a base of 3/16 masonite for most of my models.  Strength is added, and the model can be square/plum/true to the base.   A large model with base.

Thanks for the tips regarding holding foam together.  Good ideas!

I use hot glue for Plasticville.

I wouldn’t struggle with the unglued Plasticville structures falling apart to save its resale value.   The prices for this stuff is pretty low with tons of it available on the bay. I’m sure that new in the box for some items will bring somewhat of a price, but most of what we commonly have is just that. Common.
Perhaps, just tack gluing with a non permanent glue could be a solution. This is what I do with goop type of glue.
To me shipping it assembled would be more of a bother than unassembled.  Especially, if I sold several pieces.
Alan

years ago when I didn't know any better I used Elmer's white glue.  I have a Christmas only layout so I put the building away each year.  They held together nicely.

Now for the lucky benefit of using that white glue: Eventually I wanted to paint them and do other things to improve the look knowing that I would never want to sell them so no harm.  I soaked each structure in water and after a short time they easily came apart - the glue washed off easily too.

- walt

After reading all the suggestions and thinking about it. I'm going to go the latex caulk route. I thought about mounting the building on a bas but that seemed more work than what I want to do. The glue came down to ease of removal and holding ability. Thanks for all the ideas it really made me think about it. John

3M High Strength 90 will glue foam to foam.

“Shifting gears a little bit - how do you folks cement layers of pink foam.”

PPG Gripper, takes awhile to cure but works well. it’s a liquid and comes in qt and gallon sizes.

I also used Loctite PL 300 In caulk tube enhhh worked ok.

I also used weights evenly spaced to secure the sheets.

JMO

For what it’s worth there are several video test comparisons on YouTube.

Steven T

GREAT STUFF with the new control valve is "great" cementing pink foam.

The big bad wolf could blow down all of my structures, which are held together by rubber cement, or nothing at all in the case of most of my Plasticville. LOL.

You can use Aileen's Tack It Over and Over Glue. It will hold the buildings together nicely, but rub off easily when you want to remove it. Available at most large hobby stores. Below is a like to Michaels.

https://www.michaels.com/aleen...3Jzqc04aAqGaEALw_wcB

That sounds interesting. I just used caulk on 3-4 buildings last night to see what happens. If this doesn't work I will try it.

I would use clear silicon but don't expect a profit if you plan to sell. I usually buy glued buildings for repainting when I want one.

Glue-ing foam board usually requires an adhesive that is compatible with the foam.  Some tube adhesives will react adversely with foam board.   Do your homework.