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Top 9 Best Model Glue

One of the most fun things out there is the making of models. Whether you’re making model boats, airplanes, houses, action figures, or anything in between, it’s something that takes a whole lot of skill.

Moreover, when you are making models, you need the right kind of glue or adhesive, something that can be applied with great precision and something that you won’t be able to see once it is dry.

Now, this is what we’re here to do today to help you find the best model, glue that your money can buy. We have some great information for you to check out, as well as nine of the best glues out there. Let’s get to it.

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Model Glue

Image
Product
Best Overall
Testor Corp Plastic Model Glue
  • Strong
  • Very resistant to solvents
  • Fast drying
Precision Cement Glue
TAMIYA 87038 Extra Thin Cement Glue
  • Easy to work with
  • Very thin formula
  • Ideal for all sorts of plastic
Model Cement for Toys
Devcon 90225 Duco Plastic and Model Cement
  • Good working time
  • High bond strength
  • Ideal for plastic and Styrofoam
Super Glue for Model Building
Starbond EM-02 Super Glue
  • Water resistant
  • High bond strength
  • Cures almost instantly
Super Glue Gel for Toy Repair
Gorilla 7700111 Super Glue Gel
  • Great bond strength
  • High impact resistance
  • No clamping required
Model Cement for Repairs
Faller Super Cement
  • Not much clamping required
  • Great for plastic
  • Ideal for models and toys
Thick Plastic Model Glue
Games Workshop Citadel Plastic Glue Thick
  • Easy to use
  • Thick formula
  • Ideal for plastic models and toy repairs
Liquid Plastic Cement
TESTORS CORPORATION Boys 3502XT Plastic Cement Liquid
  • Easy to apply
  • Thin formula
  • Very strong bond
Precision Applicator Plastic Glue
Revell 25g Contacta Professional Plastic Glue
  • Fast setting
  • Precision applicator
  • Forms a super strong bond

Our Overall #1 Rated Pick

Testor Corp Plastic Model Glue

Testor Corp Plastic Model Glue

If you are looking for very fast drying glue that can bond all sorts of plastic together, as well as Styrofoam, something that is ideal for plastic models, then our number one overall top pick for the best model glue is Testor Corp Plastic Model Glue. If you need solid glue that will hold together models of all shapes and sizes, then this is one of your best options.

  • Great for all plastic
  • Quick drying
  • Very strong bond

In terms of overall bond strength and resistance towards a variety of solvents, this is one of the best types of glue you can use for models. Remember that this is a type of rubber cement, which means that it is extremely strong. Water, heat, and a variety of solvents won’t degrade this stuff, at least not for many, many years to come.

What’s really nice about this product is that it is very quick drying, so you don’t have to clamp models together for very long. This means that you can build your models much faster because you don’t have to wait for individual components to dry. Let’s also keep in mind that this stuff can be used to join Styrofoam to wood.

One of the only downsides of this product is the fact that the cap does not have a thread on it, so it can just be pulled on and off. This can be good, but it can also be bad because it can be quite messy. Not to mention the fact that you also don’t get a precision applicator cap with it. That being said, in terms of overall glue quality, this is your number one choice.

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Model Glue Buyers Guide

Before you go out and buy just any old glue for building models, there are a few important things that you need to be aware of. First off, we want to start with talking about the different types of glue that you can use for plastic toys and for model building.

  1. Testor Corp Plastic Model Glue
  2. TAMIYA 87038 Extra Thin Cement Glue
  3. Devcon 90225 Duco Plastic and Model Cement
  4. Starbond EM-02 Super Glue
  5. Gorilla 7700111 Super Glue Gel
  6. Faller Super Cement
  7. Games Workshop Citadel Plastic Glue Thick
  8. TESTORS CORPORATION Boys 3502XT Plastic Cement Liquid
  9. Revell 25g Contacta Professional Plastic Glue

Types of Glue for Plastic Toys

As mentioned above, there are a few different types of glue that you can use for model building, so let’s take a look at all of them right now.

Model Cement

One of the best options you have to go with for repairing toys and building models is simple model cement. Model cement is a gel like substance that contains a chemical, usually toluene, that when applied to the surfaces of a plastic model, forms a membrane that bond the two surfaces together.

This stuff is a good option to go with because it’s very inexpensive, you can find it in most places, it generally dries and cures pretty quickly, and it does form a very strong bond. With that being said, this stuff can be very messy to use, not to mention that yellows with age, and a can lose its adhesion properties over a long period of time.

Super Glue

The next option that you have at your disposal here is super glue. Now what you need to know about Super Glue is that it’s best used for porous surfaces. So if you have broken toys then they should be porous In order for super glue to work. Although super Glue may work on smooth plastic in some cases, there is no guarantee.

With that being said, due to the fact that super glue dries and cures within about 40 seconds, you will find out quickly enough. Moreover, Super Glue is also extremely water resistant, and it can hold up a good deal of weight as well.

Moreover, Super Glue is very easy to apply and it’s cheap too. That said, Super glue is in no way temperature resistant. It’s not really solvent resistant and it doesn’t do well when pressure or tension is applied to it either. Therefore, it’s probably best used for only very small toy repairs. Super Glue is honestly not the number one choice that we would use for model building.

Rubber Cement

Another option that you have to go with here is rubber cement. Now what needs to be said about rubber cement is that the bond is not overly long lasting with the reason for this being that if you are very careful once rubber cement is fully dried and cured, you can actually peel it off. Now, with that said, this makes rubber cement an ideal option for repairing toys or building models where you need to form a temporary bond that needs to be pulled apart later.

Rubber Cement is also very flexible, which is another bonus. Now what does need to be said is that rubber adhesives, such as rubber cement are ideal for bonding plastics together, as they do bond plastic of all sorts very well. That said, this stuff is best used for indoor purposes only, as it’s not very resistant to UV light, extreme temperatures, or water.

Did you know that opposed to what you might think, rubber cement does not actually contain cement at all? It’s just a term used due to the way in which it works.

Model Cement vs Super Glue

The other thing that we quickly want to touch on in terms of model building and toy repair is what the difference between model cement and super glue is. When it comes down to it, super glue, although it can hold a lot of weight, does not do well with any type of movement.

Moreover, Super glue does dry and cure extremely quickly, which is convenient, but it can also be quite messy to apply, not to mention that it will definitely bond with your fingers.

On the other hand, model cement is generally a bit thicker when you apply it, which means that it is a bit easier to apply. Model cement does usually take a bit longer to cure, but the bonded forms is very strong. It tends to be slightly more flexible than super glue, which means that it handles movement better. However, model cement is more temperature and solvent resistant than super glue.

Safety Tips When Using Modelling Cement or Hobby Glue for Plastic

To help keep you safe when using any of these products, let’s go over a few important safety tips.

  • If you happen to be using super glue, something you definitely want to do is to wear gloves, because this stuff can bond your skin very easily.
  • With some cement adhesives, the fact of the matter is that they can create quite strong fumes, so you do probably want to work in a well ventilated area.
  • Always make sure to use some kind of layer over a table when using glue, because you don’t want to get model glue on the table.

Best Model Glue

The top best product [hide]

Testor Corp Plastic Model Glue


Testor Corp Plastic Model Glue
In terms of overall bond strength and resistance towards a variety of solvents, this is one of the best types of glue you can use for models. Water, heat, and a variety of solvents won't degrade this stuff, at least not for many, many years to come.

What's really nice about this product is that it is very quick drying. This means that you can build your models much faster because you don't have to wait for individual components to dry. Let's also keep in mind that this stuff can be used to join Styrofoam to wood.

One of the only downsides of this product is the fact that the cap does not have a thread on it, so it can just be pulled on and off, n to mention the fact that you also don't get a precision applicator cap with it.
Technical Specifications:
  • Quick drying
  • For all plastic
  • Can join wood to Styrofoam
Pros
Strong
Very resistant to solvents
Fast drying
Cons
Can be messy

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TAMIYA 87038 Extra Thin Cement Glue


TAMIYA 87038 Extra Thin Cement Glue
Many people like this, particularly adhesive because of the fact that it is very thin. This makes it very easy to apply in thin layers, and Moreover it can also flow in between gaps. There is also the fact that you get a precision applicator or very fine detail work. What is however nice is that this stuff is very fast setting, so you don't have to clamp pieces together for very long. Moreover, this particular product is also fairly resistant to solvents, although not the best in the world.
Technical Specifications:
  • Very thin
  • Easy to apply
  • Good for gap filling
Pros
Easy to work with
Very thin formula
Ideal for all sorts of plastic
Good gap filling
Cons
Expensive
Not for weight bearing applications

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Devcon 90225 Duco Plastic and Model Cement


Devcon 90225 Duco Plastic and Model Cement
What is beneficial about this product is the fact that it has the ability to bond both polystyrene and plastic. Therefore it can be used for both model building and plastic toy repair. Something else that you might like is that this stuff dries clear, so you won't see any evidence of its use. Moreover, this stuff does have a very high tensile strength of around 300PSI, which is not too bad at all. What's also cool is that this particular product has a handling time of about 10 minutes, so you can reposition items as needed. It takes about 2 hours to set, which means that you do need to clamp it and it takes about 24 hours to fully cure. Keep in mind that this stuff is decently temperature resistant, although it is not the best in the world.
Technical Specifications:
  • For model building
  • For plastic toy repair
  • Good handling time
Pros
Good working time
High bond strength
Ideal for plastic and Styrofoam
Precision applicator tip included
Cons
Requires clamping
Not overly resistant to solvents
Super flammable

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Starbond EM-02 Super Glue


Starbond EM-02 Super Glue
If you need some very thin glue that is extremely easy to apply with precision as well as something that has the ability to fill small cracks and gaps, then this is a great option to consider. The Super precise applicator cap that this product comes with is definitely beneficial.

What is important to note here is that this is of course super glue, so it dries extremely quickly it cures within about a minute. Beware that it will also bond to your hands so be careful. What's cool is that this stuff can handle a whole lot of weight, and it's fairly water resistant too. But that said, it cannot handle tension or movement very well, nor does it do well with heat or solvents.
Technical Specifications:
  • Thin formula
  • Ideal for gap filling
  • High gloss finish
Pros
Water resistant
High bond strength
Cures almost instantly
Thin formula
Cons
Bonds to skin
No repositioning time

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Gorilla 7700111 Super Glue Gel


Gorilla 7700111 Super Glue Gel
If you need a great run and mess free formula that's not going to create a huge mess and is ideal for use on vertical surfaces, then this is a great option to consider. Moreover, it also has an anti-clog cap to help keep the glue from drying out. What's really cool about this glue is that it has great tensile strength and impact resistance, so it is ideal for models and toys of all sorts.

Moreover, you don't even have to clamp this stuff because it dries and cures within about 45 seconds. Just beware that it will bond to your hands, so be careful with it. This is quite the versatile option to consider because they can bond plastic, wood, metal, ceramic, rubber, leather, paper and more materials. That said, it should not be used with polyethylene or polypropylene plastic.
Technical Specifications:
  • Bonds virtually all materials
  • Fast setting
  • No run formula
Pros
Great bond strength
High impact resistance
No clamping required
Works on most materials
Cons
Not ideal for super smooth plastic
No repositioning time

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Faller Super Cement


Faller Super Cement
Beware that while this particular glue is ideal for bonding plastics together, it really won't bond many other materials. However, with that being said, the precision applicator tip as well as the relatively thin formula make this product ideal for bonding together small pieces of plastic, such as for model building.

What you might also like about this product is that is very quick drying. It takes only a few minutes to dry, which means that it doesn't take much clamping. The fact that it dries fast also means that you can get back to work quickly too.
Technical Specifications:
  • Precision applicator
  • Fast drying
  • Ideal for plastic
Pros
Not much clamping required
Great for plastic
Ideal for models and toys
High bond strength
Cons
Expensive

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Games Workshop Citadel Plastic Glue Thick


Games Workshop Citadel Plastic Glue Thick
This product features a very thick viscosity which makes it convenient for bonding together various pieces of plastic. Keep in mind that this product is designed specifically for assembling plastic miniatures, and for this it comes with a precision applicator nozzle. This product forms a very tough adhesive bond that is nearly impossible to break. That said, it's not overly solvent resistant.
Technical Specifications:
  • Good Tack
  • High bond strength
  • Perfect for plastic
Pros
Easy to use
Thick formula
Ideal for plastic models and toy repairs
Good price
Cons
Highly flammable

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TESTORS CORPORATION Boys 3502XT Plastic Cement Liquid


TESTORS CORPORATION Boys 3502XT Plastic Cement Liquid
This product has the ability to bond Styrofoam, a BS plastic acetate, plexiglass, and many other types of plastic with stuff is quite unique as it actually dissolves a small layer of plastic and then re hardens along with it to form a very strong bond. This bond is more than strong enough for model building and toy repair, although it is not overly impact resistant. On the other hand, it is very solvent resistant. The precision applicator brush combined with the thin formula do make application easy.
Technical Specifications:
  • Easy to apply
  • Fills gaps
  • Ideal for many materials
Pros
Easy to apply
Thin formula
Very strong bond
Ideal for all plastics
Cons
Can be messy

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Revell 25g Contacta Professional Plastic Glue


Revell 25g Contacta Professional Plastic Glue
Although this product is best used on polystyrene plastic or another word Styrofoam, it can be used for a wide variety of plastics. Just keep in mind that this product does slightly melt plastic in order to form a bond, so very sensitive models might not do too well with this product. That said, the liquid consistency makes it very easy to apply, it forms an extremely strong bond, and it takes next to no time to cure.
Technical Specifications:
  • Precise applicator
  • High bond strength
  • Fast curing time
Pros
Fast setting
Precision applicator
Forms a super strong bond
Cons
Best for Styrofoam
Expensive

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Conclusion

Due to the fact that is extremely strong, very easy to use and combined virtually all types of plastic are number one choice for the best type of model glue is Testor Corp Plastic Model Glue. With that said, all of the choices that we have taken a look at here today are fine ones to consider.

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