Adhesive Types
A guide to common adhesives used in model making
Cyanoacrylates (Superglues)
Superglue Medium/Thick (Cyanoacrylate)
Gap-filling cyanoacrylate with higher viscosity. Bonds in 10–30 seconds. Good for rougher surfaces and small gaps. Keep away from clear parts (fumes cause fogging).
The thicker version of cyanoacrylate. Same chemistry, higher viscosity — it stays where you put it rather than running into crevices. This makes it better for rougher surfaces, small gaps, and situations where you need a few extra seconds of positioning time before it grabs.
In model making, thick CA is probably the most versatile adhesive in the toolkit. It handles plastic-to-metal, resin-to-plastic, wood-to-metal, and dozens of other mixed-material joints. Combined with a CA accelerator, it also works as a quick gap filler — build up layers and sand smooth. Like all cyanoacrylates, the cured bond is brittle under shock and shear — strong when holding parts together, but can snap if dropped or knocked. Keep it away from clear parts — use a dedicated canopy glue for canopies and lenses.