Super glue as filler

Are you talking about that trick with baking soda? I haven't tried it myself. I've been meaning too because I hear it's useful with 3D prints.

@BillYo414 posted:

Are you talking about that trick with baking soda? I haven't tried it myself. I've been meaning too because I hear it's useful with 3D prints.

Do tell!  What's the trick w baking soda??

You can alternate applying super glue and then baking soda in layers to build up strong material to reinforce a joint.  An example would be where 2 walls meet in a corner in a plastic structure kit.  You can reinforce the joint from the inside.  It can also be used to fill gaps.

The Baking Soda causes the super glue to cure immediately.

Bob

How muchbaking soda? I assume you mis it withthe glue then apply?

Folks have also used small shreds of cotton balls, put them in the holes, put in a drop of super glue, let it dry hard, and then repeat and repeat until it reaches the surface.   The end product can actually be drilled and will hold screws if the holes are pre-drilled.

This method is often used if a screw in a cabinet made of wood, MDF or other products gets stripped out due to opening and closing cabinet doors etc.   Fill the hole and redrill it.

The baking soda method is also used, but you can't do this on a vertical surface, only a flat surface, whereas the cotton method can be used on a vertical surface if the glue is put on the cotton shred just before sticking the shred in the hole, and quickly tamped with a damp piece of round wood.

I have never heard of the baking soda method being used to repair plastic, but it sounds like others have done this with success.

Lots of youtubes showing both methods in detail.

Mannyrock

@Larry Mullen posted:

Good evening,

Does anyone else here use either super glue or super glue gel as a light filler when customizing your engines or rolling stock? I find that it works really well.

If I need a filler, typically I turn to JB-Kwik, much easier to work with than CA Adhesive.

I learned the trick from Marty's Matchbox Makeovers (another MMM!); Marty uses the baking soda trick to replace/repair, for example, a broken A-pillar in a Matchbox sedan... 

Mitch

Thank you, Rich Melvin!  The stuff you learn if you're not careful!

@Sam posted:

How muchbaking soda? I assume you mis it withthe glue then apply?

The hardening reaction is almost instantaneous - no time to mix and apply.

Apply superglue - sprinkle on baking soda - repeat as needed to build up material in layers.

Jim

I should mention that I only use the super glue/baking soda trick in non-cosmetic areas to strengthening a joint from the inside.  For cosmetic filling followed by filing/sanding/painting, I use Tamiya Putty White.  I used to use Green Squadron Putty but it was very hard to work with (dries too quickly, hard to sand down, leaves gaps).

Bob

Hi I have personally used Gorilla glue precise and had excellent results actually had to replace MTH Deizel mounting dowel pins that the bottom screws hold the top of the engine on with super glue precise gel copper tubing nylon tubing and the results held and tightened all screws  The customer was extremely happy with the results ounce the glued harden trimmed with steel Metal lathe , then drilled the correct bit size for the screws with Dremel drill press for Deizel!

Gorilla glue precise Gel worked the best costs around $4.00 to $7.00 bucks. depends on where you purchase Gorilla glue precise Gel

Alan

I use Cyanoacrylate, also just Called CA for foam on the left & Gap filling on the right. The brand name does not matter. It is all the same chemical make up.

Gary from Michigan and I hope to see you out rail-fanning. 🚂

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

If I need a filler, typically I turn to JB-Kwik, much easier to work with than CA Adhesive.

I’m with John on this one, ….some plastics don’t like CA, and I’ve seen it attack some plastics as well, ….JB quick is in the 2 part epoxy resins family, …..pretty much a guarantee no reaction can happen……JB quick sands beautifully with finer grit papers,..even finishing off with 1000 or finer…..you can produce undetectable results no matter how big the hole or gap,…..

Pat

I've used CA for some body work, but the thing is that you have to sand it sooner rather than later because it seems to get harder to longer it cures.

Try graphite with backing soda for a really strong bond.
https://youtu.be/t7YG90LFkMM?si=xpWqO9tjEcgdYsfJ

I bought a small tube of powered graphite from Menards.
https://www.menards.com/main/t...46308340-c-10098.htm

You have to use thin super glue whether you use baking soda with or without graphite. The medium density glue will not be absorbed by the baking soda. I did try it & had to use toothpick to quickly mix it up before it cured.

I used the graphite & baking soda mix to repair a broken tab on my car’s engine air filter housing. After months of heat & vibration it’s still holding.