Modifying Metal Locomotive Shells with Polystyrene?

Moose2013 Jan 8, 2023

  1. Moose2013

    Moose2013 TrainBoard Member

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    Do you have experience successfully modifying metal locomotive shells using polystyrene, modeling putty and super glue?

    Any suggestions?

    Specifically:
    • Scotch super glue, liquid and gel
    • Tamiya "Basic Type" putty
    • Bachmann & BLI metal shells
    • Evergreen polystyrene (typically)

    Looking for a warm fuzzy before commencing...
     
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  2. Mr. Trainiac

    Mr. Trainiac TrainBoard Member

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    I guess it depends on what you're modifying. Tamiya putty is designed for plastic and bonds through a chemical reaction like plastic cement does. I've seen people use it as a filler on metal though. If you're doing small work like fixing blemishes it's probably fine, but if you want to do some more heavy-duty work like reshaping boilers or making components that experience handling like steam domes, I would consider a filler designed for metalwork like that used in automobile restoration.

    With a good CA glue, styrene to metal should be fine. Test it out. If it ends up breaking off, upgrade to a 2-part epoxy. Detail parts should be fine with CA, things like steam locomotive running boards would be what I would worry about long-term.

    Treat it like a resin kit. My most recent style of resin-kit building consists of gel-type glue to assemble it initially, and then using a high-quality thin liquid CA afterwards to flow into the joints and improve the bond. Metal to plastic is pretty much the same. You're relying on the glue for the mechanical connection, there is no bonding of the base material like plastic cement does.
     
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  3. CNE1899

    CNE1899 TrainBoard Member

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  4. Moose2013

    Moose2013 TrainBoard Member

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    @Mr. Trainiac

    Thank you for the recommendations. This helps. Started building a wish list for materials which will include gap-filling CA and a fast-setting two-part epoxy, and some brass tubing. Will be starting with a small bash project and go from there ... Hooves crossed that there aren't too many set-backs!
    :cautious:

    @CNE1899

    Ohhh, Moose followed Robert Ray's z-scale build of the NP Class W-3. One of Moose's "someday" projects has been to adapt an n-scale GHQ NP Class W-3 kit for use on a BLI chassis, so was quite interested in his build. But dag'gum, his build was far from what Moose could hope for any time this decade -- and he did it in z-scale! Impressive!
    (y)
     
  5. wvgca

    wvgca TrainBoard Member

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    you need a good glue as the metal is not porous and pretty smooth. roughing up the metal with a 200 - 300 grit sandpaper will help .. as far as glues are concerned, there are only two types i would recommend, the fist is specifically dr mikes CA glue, this is the only CA that will hold permanently to delrin [caboose ind switch stands] , and the second is any type of two part expoxy, medium thickness ...
     
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  6. Moose2013

    Moose2013 TrainBoard Member

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    @wvgca

    Thank you for the recommendations.

    Since am going to order all materials from one place, was looking at these:
    • Bob Smith #201 "Quick Cure 5-Minute Epoxy" two-part epoxy
    • Bob Smith #107 "Insta-Cure Gap Filling" CA
    The online store doesn't have the Dr. Mike's brand CAs. Would be nice to have something that adheres to the bloody slippery delrin Caboose throws. Already have one on the layout that has inconveniently come loose.
    :eek:
     
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  7. Mike C

    Mike C TrainBoard Member

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    For 2 part epoxy I like J B Weld Kwick . Easy to work with , just give it 5 mins to set up . Mike
     
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  8. Moose2013

    Moose2013 TrainBoard Member

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    Well, Moose ordered materials for the bashing of locomotives. Included more polystyrene tubes & rods for some size Moose no have in inventory. Also ordered 2-part epoxy, thick gap-filling CA, more Tamiya modeling putty along with lacquer thinner. From what Moose has read along what others here have stated , it seems that these later materials will work well with both metal, polystyrene and metal-to-polystyrene projects...

    This is really going to stink up the house!
    :eek:

    Now, to wait for the post human to arrive...
    :cautious:
     
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