Best Glue?

[speedermike]

I just got the new ROJ figures and I love the sculpts on the Jabba's guards...however, their helmets keeep coming off.  I'd like to glue them on, would Testor's type model glue be okay?  Or something else that I can find in a shop like Michaels?

[Jesse James]

It would hold them enough.  Honestly so would a dab of "hot glue" and probably be less damaging to the figure itself should you decide to remove it someday.  I'd try the latter route first, myself.  Just to spare the figure.  Model glue will work for that though.  You just want a dab to hold it on, and (I'm assuming) they won't be played with.

I'd go with the Hot Glue if you have a gun handy though.  It wont' be 100% secure but it won't damage the figure at all.

[patreektherodian]

On that note what would be a strong glue?

or better yet fast and strong?

[Jesse James]

For what do you mean Patreek?  For rigid styrenes you really should go with plastic welders designed for them.  They set quickly, and fuse that type of plastic together.  They don't work on PVC type plastics which is what make up 90% of most figures these days.

For that I'm a Devcon Plastic Welder (2-part epoxy type, easily found at hardware stores, WM, Lowes, etc.) which is thicker and a little difficult to work with but works on PVC's pretty well.  I'm exploring some PVC welding options too in the future, but for now Devcon's pretty good but the excess dries out fast I've found.  Keep it in a baggie sealed, and don't let it get too cold and whatnot.

[CHEWIE]

^ Highly recommended. 

You can find it at most dollar stores.

[Siths Herald]

I can't tell from the image if that is Super Glue gel, or if it's the regular liquid type.  I love the gel for customizing.  I have found though, that if a glued part ever does break off, it is much more difficult to get two surfaces with glue residue to mate than it was when the surfaces were only plastic.

[Jesse James]

The problem with "super glues" is they can fog plastics, they don't actually fuse plastics together (they bond only), and tend to eventually wear over time.  I use liquids (not gels) though for gap filling.  It's a modeling technique to use baking soda to fill the gap and then drop some super glue...  It makes a rock hard, sandable filler. 

I use super glues for some other stuff too though, it's a staple in the rotation of materials for sure.  For sticking a hat on a figure though I really would stick with something that isn't going to damage paint and stuff.  Hot glues are really good for that.  If you don't care though, super glue's bound to be more sturdy but will damage the place they bond the hat to the head incase you pull the hats off at some point.  Just a word of warning.

[Ryan]

The problem with "super glues" is they can fog plastics, they don't actually fuse plastics together (they bond only), and tend to eventually wear over time.  I use liquids (not gels) though for gap filling.  It's a modeling technique to use baking soda to fill the gap and then drop some super glue...  It makes a rock hard, sandable filler. 

Wear goggles when you mix baking soda and super glue. That **** burns your eyes.

[Jesse James]

Yes.  I wouldn't want the fumes inhaled much either, but it makes a nice filler.

[David]

Okay this is weird but hey I'll share it anyway while we're on the topic of fogging plastics. I use the liquid super glue a lot in my customs, and when the plastic fogs, I've somehow figured out that rubbing spit on it will usually make it go away. 

[manglord]

Has anyone ever tried Microbaloons? The technique is similar to the baking soda and super glue as seam filler trick. Google microbaloons, it's usually under 5 bucks at your local or not so local hobby shop.