Plastic Cement

Looking for an adhesive to get in the tiny joints and crevices of your plastic models? We recommend plastic cement (otherwise known as plastic glue) to get the job done! Plastic cement is made up of a mixture of pure solvents like butyl acetate, acetone and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). These are then combined by using different ratios of styrene resins (plastic).

The plastic cement chemically melts two surfaces and welds them together to form a strong bond that will outlast any other type of glue. Plus, plastic cement can be sanded and reshaped without weakening the joint once it’s dry!

At Frontline Hobbies, we stock plastic cement from premium brands like Gunze Mr Hobby, Tamiya, Deluxe Materials and Revell, so you can bet your models are going to stay glued together for years to come. Browse through our collection of plastic cement and check out online for fast, affordable shipping Australia-wide!

How to choose the right glue for model building

We have three different kinds of glue: plastic cement, super glue and wood glue. If you’re new to your hobby, you might be wondering which glue will work best for you — here’s a quick rundown of our glues and their unique qualities. 

 

	Super glue	Plastic cement	PVA/wood glue
Easy to use/versatility	✔	✔	✔
Strong fumes	✔	✘	✘
Plastic	✔	✔	✘
Metal	✔	✔	✘
Wood	✔	✔	✔
Ceramics	✔	✔	✔
Foam	✔	✔	✔
Paper	✔	✔	✔
Rubber	✔	✔	✔
Leather	✔	✔	✔
Drying time	Touch-dry in 20 seconds, fully dry in one hour	Touch-dry in 20 seconds, fully dry in two hours	30 minutes to dry and 18 to 24 hours to cure fully
Bonding strength	Strong	Very strong	Medium
Viscosity	Different viscosities	Medium	Medium
Drying colour	Varies	Clear	Dries clear
Finishing	Can be sanded and painted with oil-based paint	Can be painted but we recommend priming it first	Flexible once dry — not for bonding heavier objects or resin
Best use	Miniature metal model building, DIY projects, arts and crafts	Miniature plastic model building, DIY projects, arts and crafts	Wood, porous materials and insulation foam for adding terrain to your bases

 

• Plastic cement — Plastic cement is a gel-like substance that contains a chemical such as Toluene that forms a membrane when you apply it to a plastic model, bonding two pieces of plastic together. It’s cheap and easy to come by but it can be stringy and messy if you don’t use it/store it properly.
   
• Super glue — Super glue is a strong, fast-curing adhesive. The bond is so strong that it can be weight-bearing, but only torsionally — if you glued two pieces and tried to pull them apart, super glue would hold firm but if you pushed the two pieces in opposite directions, the bond would break. For model building, super glue works fine as a temporary solution.
   
• Wood glue — Wood glue is used to tightly bond pieces of wood together, which means it’s fine to use for wooden models like ships etc. However, we do not recommend wood glue for plastic as the pieces won’t bond together well (if at all).

If you need some advice about modelling glue, feel free to get in touch via 1300 446 229. Our team would be more than happy to provide expert recommendations and advice!

Things to consider before buying plastic cement

Before buying plastic cement, there are a few basic elements you’ll need to consider — otherwise, you might end up disappointed with the outcome of your project! 

First things first, you will need to consider what kind of glue you need for the project. Take a look at the table above, specifically around “best use”. If you are building plastic models, your best option is plastic cement for a strong bond. If you’re working with wood and other porous materials, you’re better off choosing wood/PVA glue. 

You’ll also need to consider the scope of the project — how strong do you need your glue to be? How much glue do you think you’ll need for the project? These questions will dictate how much glue you need to complete the project and how much you will need to spend on the glue. 

Finally, you’ll need to think about drying time and clamping time. Drying time refers to how long it takes for the glue to harden and hold the parts that are held together. Clamping time refers to how long you need to clamp the parts together until the glue hardens. Plastic cement will fully harden within two hours, so it’s a great solution for plastic model building. 

Our team can help you choose the right glue for your project — simply get in touch and tell us what you’re hoping to achieve and how quickly you need the glue to dry. We’ll provide recommendations and advice to steer you in the right direction. 

FAQs about plastic cement

What is the best multipurpose glue?

Super glue is generally good for most projects but plastic cement is recommended for plastic model building. Most seasoned modellers opt for plastic cement.

Can I use plastic cement for Warhammer and Flames of War models?

Yes! Plastic cement is perfect for this kind of model building as the chemicals essentially melt and weld the plastic pieces together.

How does plastic cement dry?

Plastic cement will fully dry within two hours. It dries clear and can sometimes crystalise, but you may be able to file away any unwanted dried glue. You may notice that exposed glue yellows over time — this is perfectly normal. 

What should I do if I get plastic cement on my skin?

The first step: don’t panic! Glue is very easy to remove if you wash it off before it hardens. Wash your hands with soap and warm water — hand or dish soap should do the trick and remove the glue before it hardens. If the glue has hardened already, you can use an oily, skin-safe substance like hand lotion, mineral oil or vegetable oil to break down the cyanoacrylate bond and try to gently tug the glue off your skin.

If that doesn’t work, you can try acetone (nail polish remover) but make sure to wash your hands thoroughly once you’ve removed the glue. Acetone can irritate the skin, so wash up and apply a thick, fragrance-free moisturiser.

Shop plastic cement online or in-store with Frontline Hobbies! 

Stock up on hobby supplies and glue with Frontline Hobbies! We offer fast, affordable shipping throughout Australia as well as free shipping on orders over $150. Alternatively, you can choose to collect your items in-store for free! Simply click “free pickup in-store” and we’ll have your items ready to pick up almost instantly.