Vinyl Model Construction

El Gato · Post by **El Gato** » Sun Mar 03, 2013 1:07 am

I have not built a vinyl kit in two decades (literally, the first and last one I did was in 1993). All I remember is that I needed to reinforce the parts from the inside and that you have to be careful because some paints can dissolve vinyl. I can't remember what glue I used...

So now that I have three vinyl kits in the stash... um, help?

Wug · Post by **Wug** » Sun Mar 03, 2013 11:13 pm

You can cement vinyl with epoxy or CA. Enamel paint will attack vinyl. You can prime vinyl with Mr. Surfacer, Future or most car primers. Paint it with acrylics or acrylic lacquer. If you must use an enamel, put down a good barrier coat of Future first but this might not work. When in doubt test first on the scrap you've cut off.

Styrene might attack vinyl if they come into contact. I made the mistake of storing my finished Wave Aestivlis in plastic peanuts.

Mike

kalhen · Post by **kalhen** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 2:27 am

i use expanding foam as a reinforcement and gorilla glue for building both work great.
on the foam make sure you have room for expansion and remove the excess.

dizzyfugu · Post by **dizzyfugu** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 4:09 am

Simple plaster is also a good material for internal reinforcements - not certain if expanding foam does not react with the vinyl over time? It's a perfect material for this purpose, though, just (IMHO very) messy...

For paint: ONLY use acryllic paint, at least for a primer coat. Once you have a firm primer coat, you might use solvent-based paint like enamels, but I would not recommend this. There's no bonding between the vinyl and the enamel, it sits like a film on the surface and can be easily damaged, even flake off.

For glue, I can recommend simple super glue.

dizzyfugu · Post by **dizzyfugu** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 4:09 am

Simple plaster is also a good material for internal reinforcements - not certain if expanding foam does not react with the vinyl over time? It's a perfect material for this purpose, though, just (IMHO very) messy...

For paint: ONLY use acryllic paint, at least for a primer coat. Once you have a firm primer coat, you might use solvent-based paint like enamels, but I would not recommend this. There's no bonding between the vinyl and the enamel, it sits like a film on the surface and can be easily damaged, even flake off.

For glue, I can recommend simple super glue.

El Gato · Post by **El Gato** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 7:52 pm

Hey, thanks for the quick replies! Really appreciate the tips!

eeun · Post by **eeun** » Tue Mar 05, 2013 12:39 pm

There's specific automotive primers for flexible parts, too.

El Gato · Post by **El Gato** » Tue Mar 05, 2013 12:45 pm

Do you know the name of it?