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Top 8 Best Glue for Miniatures

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!

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Product
Best Overall
Gorilla Wood Glue
  • Easy to use
  • Long-lasting even after being set aside for a long while
  • Great for strengthening friction joints
Tamiya Extra Thin Cement Glue
  • Excellent adhesive property
  • High precision of application due to the small paintbrush feature
  • Smooths out rough spots occurring from joining
Beacon 3-in-1 Craft Glue
  • Very convenient to use
  • Fast grabbing
  • Acid-free
Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue
  • Can withstand extreme cold
  • Resistant to most chemicals
  • No clamping required
Dr. Crafty Epoxy Resin
  • Non-toxic
  • Resistant to yellowing
  • Water-resistant
Turbo “Tacky” Glue
  • Resistance to other chemicals
  • Can be applied to wet surfaces
  • Can withstand extreme temperature
Everbuild HV50 Industrial Superglue
  • Fast curing
  • Perfect for wood, rubber, metal, plastic, etc.
  • Applicator nozzle included
Glue Masters Professional Grade Super Glue
  • 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

Gorilla Super Glue Gel

Gorilla Super Glue Gel

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

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Types of Glue for Miniatures

glue gelLet’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.

  1. Gorilla Wood Glue (Our Overall #1 Pick)
  2. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement Glue
  3. Beacon 3-in-1 Craft Glue
  4. Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue
  5. Dr. Crafty Epoxy Resin
  6. Turbo “Tacky” Glue
  7. Everbuild HV50 Industrial Superglue
  8. 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

Super Glue for Miniatures

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


Gorilla Wood Glue
Time and time again, Gorilla has shown that it can be trusted to deliver the best quality glue for miniatures. For the best glue for wood models, the Gorilla wood glue is easily our top pick. Of all its amazing qualities, what makes this product stand out is that it is paintable and sandable. Let’s have a look at some other features of this amazing product.
Technical Specifications:
  • Water-resistant formula
  • Natural drying even in low temperature
  • Dries clear
Pros
Easy to use
Long-lasting even after being set aside for a long while
Great for strengthening friction joints
Cons
Pricey
Can irritate the eyes
Gloves are needed when using

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Tamiya Extra Thin Cement Glue


Tamiya Extra Thin Cement Glue
The Tamiya Glue is a solvent-based glue that is perfect for plastic model kits, which make use of polystyrene plastics. It is made extra thin, a feature that comes in handy as it fills into gaps and sets quickly. This is one of the best glues for plastic models, and it is great for your small plastic parts.
Technical Specifications:
  • Extra thin
  • High liquidity
  • Small paintbrush that works with capillary actions
Pros
Excellent adhesive property
High precision of application due to the small paintbrush feature
Smooths out rough spots occurring from joining
Cons
Can only be used on plastic
Has a strong smell, advised to work in a well-ventilated workspace

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Beacon 3-in-1 Craft Glue


Beacon 3-in-1 Craft Glue
This is one of the best choices for fusing paper or wood together. This craft glue makes our list because of its highly versatile nature and efficiency. For miniature hobbyists, this will come in handy for a quick fix of your miniature models. It sticks fast but still lets you adjust the pieces before curing completely.
Technical Specifications:
  • Waterproof
  • No run formula
  • An applicator tip for easy application
  • Fast drying
Pros
Very convenient to use
Fast grabbing
Acid-free
Cons
Might be harder to squeeze when using the large bottles
Gives off strong fumes

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Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue


Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue
Loctite has carved a niche for itself in the market as one of the best producers of super glue for miniatures. This product is no exception. It is extra toughened to resist water, falls, and other harsh conditions. The Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue ranks as one of the best super glue for miniatures.
Technical Specifications:
  • Pinpoint nozzle for accurate application
  • Invisible repair
  • Fast setting formula
  • Strong adhesive bond
Pros
Can withstand extreme cold
Resistant to most chemicals
No clamping required
Can be used for heavy-duty and professional applications
Cons
Might not be the best for metal and glass

buy on Amazon

Dr. Crafty Epoxy Resin


Dr. Crafty Epoxy Resin
This two-part epoxy casting resin is just what you might need for all your resin related projects. Need the best glue for wood models? Try this out. Consisting of the hardener and the resin itself, this product is perfect for beginners and experts alike. As long as you adhere to the instructions for application, you’ll have an ideal crystal-clear coating for wood finishes.
Technical Specifications:
  • Easy to use two-part hardener and resin
  • Suitable viscosity
Pros
Non-toxic
Resistant to yellowing
Water-resistant
Cons
Doesn’t work well with tumblers
May not completely cure even after using a heat gun

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Turbo “Tacky” Glue


Turbo “Tacky” Glue
For the best glue for crafting, we go for Aileen’s Turbo “Tacky” Glue. This is a PVA white glue that will work great for your crafts. It also works perfectly well with paper and fabric and is completely safe to use.
Pros
Resistance to other chemicals
Can be applied to wet surfaces
Can withstand extreme temperature
Non-toxic
Cons
Cannot be used for some plastics

buy on Amazon

Everbuild HV50 Industrial Superglue


Everbuild HV50 Industrial Superglue
This superglue is a solvent-free adhesive that is the best choice for your miniature bonding. If you’re looking for the best glue for metal miniatures or the best glue for model cars, this is a top pick.
Technical Specifications:
  • Completely free of solvents
  • High viscosity
  • Suitable for a good number of substrates
Pros
Fast curing
Perfect for wood, rubber, metal, plastic, etc.
Applicator nozzle included
Cons
Can easily cause skin irritation and respiratory problems

buy on Amazon

Glue Masters Professional Grade Super Glue


Glue Masters Professional Grade Super Glue
Glue masters super glue offers excellent quality glue just perfect for all your general household bonding and repairs. It has a more extended adhesive capacity that can run for years as opposed to other glues for miniatures in the market system.
Technical Specifications:
  • Fast-drying duration
  • Thick viscosity
  • High purity
Pros
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
Cons
Longer drying period when bonding two items
It might not be as thick as expected
Cannot be used on fabrics
It is quite strong, must be working in a well-aerated environment

buy on Amazon

Glue for Miniatures – Buying Guide

Glue for Miniatures

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.

Glue for Plastic Miniatures

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

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

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?

Take a look at some glue options in this video

Does plastic glue work on resin?

Not really. Plastic glue is quite different from all other kinds of glue. Rather than sticking two materials together, plastic glue melts and fuses your plastic with another. If you’re looking for glue for resins, you should try out resin-based glue instead.

How do I remove Super Glue from plastic models?

Naturally, Super Glue can be removed with the use of acetone. Acetone can be found in your nail polish remover, so you might want to check out a beauty store for that. Take care, though. If the acetone content is too harsh for the plastic, it might leave undesirable consequences.

Should I choose model glue or plastic glue for basing my miniature models?

This depends on the kind of material you’re using for your models. If you’re using anything other than plastic, Super Glue is the better choice.

Can I use a Super Glue for my ceramic plates?

You might want to think twice about doing that. Super Glue brands can be highly toxic and are not at all safe for consumption. Try something else.

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!

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