Imagine that one of your miniature pieces breaks into two as you’re putting the set away. The first reaction would be to glue the pieces back together, right? The question is, how do you ensure that you’re using the right kind of glue – the kind that won’t mess with the paint or break off again after a couple of weeks?
This can be a daunting task, especially since there are different categories of glue to choose from. In this review, we’ll show you some of the best glue for miniatures in 2020. Join us for a sticky ride!
Click here to skip to our recommended pick!
- Easy to use
- Long-lasting even after being set aside for a long while
- Great for strengthening friction joints
- Excellent adhesive property
- High precision of application due to the small paintbrush feature
- Smooths out rough spots occurring from joining
- Can withstand extreme cold
- Resistant to most chemicals
- No clamping required
- Resistance to other chemicals
- Can be applied to wet surfaces
- Can withstand extreme temperature
- Fast curing
- Perfect for wood, rubber, metal, plastic, etc.
- Applicator nozzle included
- Can be used to bond and repair a wide range of materials, from wood to glass and so on
- Very good for not just household repairs but also professional projects
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
There are a lot of adhesives for miniatures on the market, but this ranks top of our list. Whether you’re a miniature hobbyist or a modeler, this super glue gel will come in handy anytime. It is quite versatile and has been tried and tested to bond well with plastic, metal, wood, et cetera.
The Gorilla Super Glue Gel is a cyanoacrylate adhesive that has proven its mettle in the miniature glue industry. Users have acknowledged that this glue gel will stick to just about anything, so you’ll want to be careful not to glue your fingers together when using it.
Technical Specifications
- Gel formula
- Anti-clog cap
- Fast setting
- Unique rubber particles – increases impact resistance to drops and bumps
Pros
- No clamping required
- Can bond well with different materials
- Thicker than most miniature glues
- Instant and long-lasting repairs
Cons
- Glue may dry off in the bottle after some time
Types of Glue for Miniatures
Let’s face it. We all need glue for miniatures at some point. However, making the best choice depends largely on the type of material you want to put together. There are different kinds of glue, and each one of them has distinct benefits. Let’s have a quick rundown of the different kinds of glue that exist on the miniature glue market and their characteristics.
Are you short on time or just want a quick answer?
Check out our list below for a summary of our results.
- Gorilla Wood Glue (Our Overall #1 Pick)
- Tamiya Extra Thin Cement Glue
- Beacon 3-in-1 Craft Glue
- Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue
- Dr. Crafty Epoxy Resin
- Turbo “Tacky” Glue
- Everbuild HV50 Industrial Superglue
- Glue Masters Professional Grade Super Glue
Cyanoacrylate (Super Glue)
Cyanoacrylate (Super Glue), is one of the most versatile bonding tools for miniatures.
Features:
- Strong adhesive material
- Water-resistant
- Easy application
- Instant setting time
- Great for wood, metal, stone, etc.
Super Glue dries quickly, so you need to be smart when handling it. It is the ideal modeling glue, but you also have to keep it away from food items and make sure you don’t have any allergies.
Epoxy Glue
Two-part epoxy glues are a unique brand of glue for miniatures. They feature resin and hardener that suits all applications.
Features:
- Can withstand extreme heat or cold
- Food-safe
- Non-toxic
- Perfect for glass
Unlike superglue, two-part epoxy glue will require you to do a fair amount of mixing and takes a little longer to dry. This kind of adhesive is more suitable when you have a lot of items to glue. If you need just a little amount of gluing to be done, you might want to try out something else.
PVA White Glue
If you’re looking for the best kind of glue for wooden miniatures, you might want to check out PVA white glue.
Features:
- Perfect for porous materials
- Water-soluble
- Smooth consistency
- Non-acidic
PVA white glue can fit on porous surfaces, but you should ensure that the material is not susceptible to many drops and falls. Its strength and resistance are limited in this regard. PVA white glue should be used with hand gloves, as repeated contact with skin can cause dermatitis.
Plastic Cement
Just like the name implies, this is a modeling glue for plastic miniatures. Although it might work lightly on other materials, its optimal performance is for plastic materials.
Features:
- Paintable
- Fast curing
One of the sterling qualities of liquid cement for plastic models is that it is cheap and fuses the items permanently. When in use, great caution is advised, as it can emit harmful vapors and needs technical expertise when applying. It is toxic and can cause severe skin burns and eye damage.
The Best Glue for Miniatures
Want to know some of our best ranking glue for miniature models? Take a look at the products listed below.
The top best product [hide]
Gorilla Wood Glue
- Water-resistant formula
- Natural drying even in low temperature
- Dries clear
Tamiya Extra Thin Cement Glue
- Extra thin
- High liquidity
- Small paintbrush that works with capillary actions
Beacon 3-in-1 Craft Glue
- Waterproof
- No run formula
- An applicator tip for easy application
- Fast drying
Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue
- Pinpoint nozzle for accurate application
- Invisible repair
- Fast setting formula
- Strong adhesive bond
Dr. Crafty Epoxy Resin
- Easy to use two-part hardener and resin
- Suitable viscosity
Turbo “Tacky” Glue
Everbuild HV50 Industrial Superglue
- Completely free of solvents
- High viscosity
- Suitable for a good number of substrates
Glue Masters Professional Grade Super Glue
- Fast-drying duration
- Thick viscosity
- High purity
Glue for Miniatures – Buying Guide
In choosing the best kind of glue for your miniatures, there are a lot of salient factors to consider. Chief among these factors is the material your miniatures are made of. That said, this buying guide will show what you need to take into account before you buy glue for your plastic, wood, or metal miniature pieces.
Glue for Plastic Miniatures
Before you choose your best glue for plastic models, the top features you must note deal with melting and painting. Let us show you why.
Melting Strength
Most plastic miniature glues work by slightly melting the joints so they can harden together as a single bond. However, there are different kinds of plastics. The best plastic model glue aligns with the strength of your plastic. If you’re using soft plastic, you might want to opt for other glues that don’t bond through melting.
Painting
This is another factor that can determine your choice of glue. If you’d like to repaint your models after gluing, you need to choose paintable glue brands. Some glues do not also work for painted pieces, so you need to check that out, too.
Glue for Metal Miniatures
Before gluing metal miniatures, you must know that most metal miniatures are made with tin metal alloy and pewter. Pewter is soft and malleable, so you should opt for a glue that’s not too strong or toxic.
Also, some kinds of glue requires moisture for application, and this is never a good thing with metals. Before choosing your glue, find out whether the glue can be dry applied (without water). This is to prevent your miniature pieces from rusting and getting condemned eventually.
Glue for Warhammer 40k
Making miniatures for Warhammer 40k requires glue, no doubt. But how can you make the right Warhammer glue for your shiny miniatures and pieces? Here’s what you need to know.
Material
Consider the nature of the material of the miniature you’re working with. The type of glue used for a plastic piece might not work well with a metal piece. You need to know what works best for your material.
Strength
Glue with a strong adhesive strength might be essential for your pieces. You definitely do not want the arms or feet of your miniatures to get detached while gaming. Also, in case a part gets detached in the middle of a game, you’d need glue with fast bonding time so you can continue your game uninterrupted.
Glue for Resin
Plastic or Resin Glue
Some glues that bond plastic materials might not be as effective for resin. This is because resin contains unmolding additives that might not allow some plastic glues to hold. If your material is resin, stick to using glue for resin models.
Accelerants
In choosing the best glue for resin miniatures, note that they must not contain accelerants. This is because they weaken the strength of the glue. Instead of accelerants, opt for a glue that binds fast. Resin miniatures may best be glued together by washing in warm water, drying, and then applying the glue.
Glue for Model Cars
For model cars, it is more important than ever to take note of the kind of glue you’re using. Here are some factors to note.
Permanent/Semi-Permanent
Depending on what you really want, the first thing to consider is whether you need permanent or semi-permanent glue. If you’re carrying out big repairs, we recommend that you use permanent glue that can withstand weather elements and water.
Strength
Of course, your choice of glue for model cars has to be ranked as one of the strongest. All kinds of glues have a strength limit, so find out which one works best for you.
Glue for Wood Models
Surfaces
A factor you can consider in choosing your glue for wood models is the surface of the pieces to be bonded. Some adhesives require soft and smooth surfaces, while others work well with rough surfaces. For stronger wood joints, you might want to select a glue that can be soaked into wood. Wooden pieces can easily get detached from one another, but this can be prevented when the glue is soaked into the wood.
Moisture
You might need to moisturize wood pieces to soften them before gluing. So, it is best if you work with glue that is moisture compliant.
Glue for Miniatures: FAQs
What kind of glue should I choose for my miniatures?
Does plastic glue work on resin?
How do I remove Super Glue from plastic models?
Should I choose model glue or plastic glue for basing my miniature models?
Can I use a Super Glue for my ceramic plates?
Conclusion
From this review, the Gorilla Super Glue gel easily ranks above all the other choices listed. Its versatile nature surpasses most of the other glues. If you have read through this review, you’ll definitely make the right choice for your miniature models from now on. Keep gluing!
