IM F7 intake grill re-attachment

[Bill H]

Group:
Any suggestions as to how to re-attach an IM F7 intake grill? I have one that has fallen off, and another that may fall off soon. I am concerned about any appearance of glue that might mar the fine appearance of my F7s.

Thanks in advance,
Bill

[garethashenden]

I would be tempted to use matt varnish as a glue. It shouldn't show up the same way superglue would, but will hold well. Position the grill, then brush on some Dullcote.

[Missaberoad]

Seems like a job for canopy glue. a careful application should be invisible...

http://www.amazon.com/Canopy-Glue-Flexible-2oz-Zap/dp/B0006O8EVM

http://modelingthesp.blogspot.ca/2013/05/a-few-words-in-praise-of-canopy-glue.html

[Jeff AKA St0rm]

A very small amount of CA applied to the shell in the corners and along the edges. Then put the grill on and press lightly. The key is very little CA. Your can do one end and let the glue set then move along the edge gluing and setting as you go.

[jeffstri]

According to Intermountain the manufacturer used a glue that was too rigid for the different thermal expansions of the plastic body and metal grills. They told me to use canopy glue and it seems to work fine.

[Bill H]

Group:
Thank you for your suggestions. Regarding canopy glue, should I apply a little drop in the corners or more? Any suggestions on application?

Kind regards,
Bill

[Big Train]

I agree with Jeff AKA StOrm about using ACC.

The canopy glue may be similar in viscosity to white glue and I think there is a danger of some of the it oozing into grille openings.

If you use thin ACC the capillary action will provide better adhesion. I've done this on the IM F Units by laying the model on its side, position and hold the grille with tape or finger and apply a tiny amount of ACC into each corner. For application of the ACC I use an old airbrush needle and pick up a small amount from a drop of ACC. A toothpick can work also, or an old larger bore syringe needle. Work one end at a time until the ACC sets up

Just make sure the hand you use to pick up the model hasn't been near the ACC. It's amazing where that stuff ends up.....

[jeffstri]

Group:
Thank you for your suggestions. Regarding canopy glue, should I apply a little drop in the corners or more? Any suggestions on application?

Kind regards,
Bill

I applied a thin coat to the raised areas of the plastic under the full length of the grill. Just gluing the corners didn't get the grill completely flat. If you do get significant oozing from too much glue it comes off easily before it dries with a damp q-tip - you don't have to be too compulsive since it dries clear. Canopy glue also works well to reattach any windows that fall off.

All the grills and most of the windows came off my A/B set and canopy glue has held them on fine for over a year now.

Jeff

[Nato]

                     I used 3M Brand spray fixative on a couple of grills that come off. I sprayed the fixative on the back side of the grill holding the spray can a fair distance away, then using tweezers carefully turned over and positioned the side grill to the body and put some weight on top. After about a half hour to insure it dried I removed the weight. There is no gummy or stickiness on the front side that I can feel, and these two reattachments have held in place for about two years. I'm careful though when picking up the locomotives not to grasp them by the grill area. Nate Goodman (Nato).

[mmagliaro]

Oddly enough, for things like this I have been using Woodland Scenics Foam Tack Glue.
You need something that will stick to slippery surfaces, will remain flexible, and won't show.  (Canopy glue may also fill the bill, as people have noted).

I would also use Walthers Goo, and it would do a superb job, but you have to be really careful not to let the ugly brown glue show in an application like a grill.  Goo is hard to manage and work with in tiny areas.  It can be done, but the Foam Tack Glue seems to have similar properties of flexibility and adhering to slippery surfaces, with the added bonus that it dries clear.   I bet some tiny dots of it all along the backside on the edges of the grill would hold it very well and would not show.