Quick Tip 1: Use Rubber CA for Invisible Joins

This is the first in an occasional series of quick and practical modelling tips. No waffle: just an idea to fix a problem or make something easier.

Let's get one point out of the way: I'm not claiming to have originated this or any subsequent tip. Many of them I worked out for myself because I had to, and if other modellers already know them, that's fine. I didn't. Others I've absorbed from somewhere, perhaps a video or article.

Getting dangerously close to waffle, Ade… So let's get to the tip.

Tip #1

When you're faced with an awkward join which really needs to disappear, try bonding it with rubberised cyanoacrylate glue. 

Because it's easy to sand smooth, doesn't shrink, and doesn't rely on melting plastic, it avoids the potential for shrinkage associated with plastic cement and many fillers and it replaces both. This means less work, less risk of removing too much plastic during sanding, a seamless join, and no concerns about a witness line reappearing later under the paint.

How to…

• As you have less time for alignment, do a dry practice run first
• Ensure that one side of the join is completely and evenly covered with CA
• Don't be tempted to wipe away all of the excess because you need some left to sand smooth

I've had great results by using this method for two-part gun barrels, motorcycle bodywork, and even an aircraft fuselage. Here's an example of a motorcycle tank and mud guard, before and after painting. There was a year between construction and painting, which I mention because at least it shows that this type of glue doesn't shrink!