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Using silicone sealant (caulk) as glue on Styrene (Lionel 404 Budd car)

C CharlieSOGR Forum Member

The person who owned the battery damaged postwar Lionel 404 Budd car must have stored the locomotive upside down. The original reflector that was mounted to the center of the roof was badly corroded so I removed it.
It was held in place by two studs that had their ends melted. Unfortunately the ends of the studs broke off while I was getting the old reflector out.

I have a replacement reflector in hand.

I need some sort of glue to hold the new one in place.
I was thinking about using a few small dabs of Silicone sealant to hold it in place.
The joint doesn't have to be particularly strong. The reflector has almost no weight, and there will never be any force other than gravity placed on it.
I guess my primary concern is whether the silicone will attack my shell. Which I believe to be Styrene. (not positive).

Any thoughts?

 

 

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C CharlieSOGR Forum Member

Hot glue hasn't always done well on sheet styrene for me. It seperates and peels off it pretty easy. I'm not sure about the cars plastic, but you really need some coarse sanding for a good bite on sheet styrene without a solvent cement..

IMHO, all surfaces need to be roughed up a bit to get good adhesion.
My big concern with hot glue would be having the heat distort the plastic shell.
It is a possibility if I can just put the hot glue on what is left of the post.

I am almost done with the chassis, so I will want to do something in the next few days to finish up this project.


Once again, thank you to everybody for the comments. It is nice to be able to ask other people's opinions on how to get things done.  

MB MG BrownOGR Forum Member

I would suggest that you use watch crystal cement. I feel that it should be an 'essential' part of any modeler's adhesive arsenal.

Screen Shot 2017-11-06 at 11.19.25 AMGS Hypo Cement

Easily found at most well equipped beading or craft stores (IE: Michael's)

Manufacturer technical information: https://gssupplies.com/gs-hypo-cement/ (probably way more than you wish to know)

 

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Last edited by MG Brown
C CharlieSOGR Forum Member

Last night I decided that JB Quick Epoxy probably had enough body to fill any gaps. I put a small blob on the underside of each mounting hole, and a bit around the edges of the hole in the center of the reflector. 

After letting the epoxy cure overnight, the shield is solidly attached. 

Thanks again for all the ideas.

 

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