Cleanly cementing styrene

[Scottl]

I have been working with styrene and liquid solvent cement (MEK) and have come up with a new situation that has left me stumped.  One thing I have had some difficulty with is attaching thin strips onto the face of sheet styrene cleanly.  I am building a bridge plate from 0.375" wide strips, and I am trying to attach 0.020" X 0.020" at regular intervals across the wider strip.  My problem is that no matter how I try, the glue ends up slopping around the thin strips and leaving an messy face when it dries.  I know this will not be a major problem when it is painted, but I would prefer to do a neater job and keep the larger surface as smooth and clean as possible.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to how to clean up my work?  Should I put the glue on the .020 X .020 strip first and lay it down carefully, or is there a trick someone has come up with?  Normal capillary action with the brush in the solvent bottle leaves a mess.

Thanks in advance!

[Philip H]

try applying the MEk using a micro-fine micro brush.  It takes a bit of getting used to, but the results are superior in that you simple don't dispense as much cement in one sitting.

[Scottl]

Now that is a good idea!  Why didn't I think of that?

[Philip H]

too much snow shoveling and not enough mental lubrication in 12 oz bottles?   

[Scottl]

I'm catching up tonight!

[Hyperion]

Instead of brushing apply with either a bottle with a needle point, or (what I use) a Touch'N'Flow applicator:



Touch the tip to the butted together parts, and capillary action draw just enough fluid out that'll actually fit in the air space between the products, and instantly flow down the joint.  One momentary touch at one end, and another at the other end (if it's more than about an inch) will gives you a perfect weld joint with no indication of the glue at all.

Even if you move the tip around the surface of your parts, nothing comes out of the tip until it touches 2 joined parts.

[Scottl]

That looks very interesting.  Is this the item Micromark sells?

[DKS]

try applying the MEk using a micro-fine micro brush.  It takes a bit of getting used to, but the results are superior in that you simple don't dispense as much cement in one sitting.

I use a #5/0 or smaller brush to apply MEK on tiny joints. Works like a charm.

[sizemore]

To tack onto what Phil mentioned. You can use a welders technique tacking the ends using CA. I'd also make a plastic spacer 3/4 the length of the strips you're attaching. Then you can tack the ends, pull the spacer then use capillary action with the fine brush and MEK. Also use a natural hair micro brush, you might end up with a pretty hard brush the next morning, not knowing what synthetic brush you're using.

The S.

[Hyperion]

That looks very interesting.  Is this the item Micromark sells?

Micro-Mark sells the Touch'n'Flo, yes.  It's a cheap item that I use more than any other tool I've got. 

http://www.micromark.com/touch-n-flow-applicator,7841.html

[Scottl]

Great suggestions and info, thanks everyone.  My fine detail brush is synthetic, so the warning came in time.  I'll pick up a natural brush today, but the touch and go is on my list to get.

[wcfn100]

I use regular Testors Plastic Cement and cut the brush back to just a few bristles.


Jason

[Scottl]

That is a great idea, thanks!

[DKS]

My fine detail brush is synthetic, so the warning came in time.  I'll pick up a natural brush today, but the touch and go is on my list to get.

A synthetic bristle brush should still work--usually they're nylon, which is pretty solvent-resistant. Give it a try first, but you should be OK.

I use cheaper brushes from the craft store for cementing, only because the bristles will start to accumulate dissolved styrene and get stiff. They get soft again when you start using it the next time, but once they become "glue brushes," they're not much good for anything else.

[Scottl]

I thinned a cheap craft brush down to a very fine tip and this worked like a charm.  It was the perfect solution, thanks everyone for your suggestions.