Safe Glue For Use On Postwar Plastics

I have used this successfully. Just be sure to try out the applicator on some practice items first.

Zach:

BOM is correct - CA is probably the best way to go. I would recommend using a gel not liquid and if possible mate the parts and glue from the back.

Joe

Thanks for the recommendations BMORAN4 and Joe! I'll be sure to pick up a bottle of the Loctite at the store tomorrow!

How did you make out with your project?

I have not had good success using CA glue on plastic Lionel parts.

The last thing I tried to glue with CA glue was a step on a postwar flatcar. The glue did not bond.

One time I tried using CA glue on a postwar plastic truck (different type of plastic than the flat). The glue reacted with the truck, and it literally fell apart.

Just yesterday I glued a broken postwar plastic coupler back together. It was cast from a white plastic and painted black. I used a small amount of two part epoxy. So far, the bond seems good. Time will tell.

I hardly ever interact with PW Lionel (or other) equipment, but it seems like I glued something back together - and old banged-up PW shell or something that I was using in a low-end project - using Testors plastic cement. Just your standard, styrene-and-styrene-like plastic glue (actually a solvent, which is why it works so well). If PW plastic is related to styrene, this is your stuff. But, my memory is not clear on the repair.

"Restorers" may want to go another way. 

C W Burfle posted:

How did you make out with your project?

I have not had good success using CA glue on plastic Lionel parts.

The last thing I tried to glue with CA glue was a step on a postwar flatcar. The glue did not bond.

One time I tried using CA glue on a postwar plastic truck (different type of plastic than the flat). The glue reacted with the truck, and it literally fell apart.

Just yesterday I glued a broken postwar plastic coupler back together. It was cast from a white plastic and painted black. I used a small amount of two part epoxy. So far, the bond seems good. Time will tell.

Here are the results C W. I used the Loctite glue BMORAN4 recommended. It almost impossible to tell where the break was unless you look very closely. The glue went on well with no adverse reaction. However if you knock the glued piece the wrong way it will separate, I think its because the break was so clean and smooth so the glue has no place to bond. If I find a replacement shell in good condition I may just replace this one but for now the glue has done a satisfactory job.

I think you made the right choice. Super glue seems to work the best on PW plastic. Epoxy would be another.

Without the correct solvent, industrial plastics are difficult to glue.