Re-attaching etched roof walks question

[eja]

I had some N scale Intermountain cylindrical hoppers hit the floor and a few had the roof walks either completely or partially detach from the car body.

Looking for recommendations regarding what to use to reattach them them and how to prevent a glue from filling in the etched walkway.

I used a small amount of acc applied with a toothpick to the supports on the first one I repaired but still had it fill in parts of the walkway.

Looking for a better way to do the rest (4) of them......

eja

[cjm413]

Barge Cement

[Rocky Mtn Train Supply]

Intermountain told us they use clear Silicon sealant like you would use on your bathtub.  It stays a bit flexible.  I have tried it and it seems to work well but is a bit delicate.

Scott

[Cajonpassfan]

Metal expands, plastic shell, not so much. You want a somewhat flexible bond to accommodate the movement and ACC is not it.
I use a little Goo, but barge cement or silicone should work, too.
Otto K.

[nkalanaga]

I've long used "Seal-All" from the hardware store.  Oddly, it's marketed as a "contact cement and gas tank leak repair", but will glue almost anything.  In the early 70s I even managed to truck-mount KD MT-5s (1025s today) to Con-Cor passenger cars by gluing the coupler to truck!

Use too much and it will attack plastic, but where the solvents can evaporate quickly it works fine.  Gluing a flat metal weight to the floor of a car probably isn't the best use, as the plastic will eventually warp.

[arbomambo]

Canopy glue

[robert3985]

Like @arbomambo I use canopy glue

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[eja]

What is canopy glue ?

[pedro]

It’s a

What is canopy glue ?

Short answer, it’s a flexible PVA-style white glue. Dries clear. Used by the R/C crowd for....wait for it....gluing canopies.

[Missaberoad]

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

[pedro]

It’s been many years, but I did the clear silicone routine like Intermountain recommended on the cylindrical hopper kits and it worked really well. Takes a light touch with a toothpick or microbrush so you don’t gum up the etched detail. I started at one end and worked my way down the length of the car slowly, attaching the roofwalk as I went.

[Spades]

I have used a small piece of fine brass wire as an applicator.  It allows for precise and reasonable amount of adhesives on the gluing surface.

[carlso]

I use Aleene's tacky glue as it dries clear. I too use a small diameter pb wire to better apply the glue very sparingly. If I ever want to remove the item. I just soak it it warm water or a wet with warm water rag, the glue softens and item comes off of car in one piece.

Be well,
Carl 

[GaryHinshaw]

I really like this brand of canopy glue:

https://deluxematerials.co.uk/products/glue-n-glaze

It's a UK brand, but it's widely available in North America.

[eja]

Thanks for all the responses.  I see a trip to the model a/c hobby shop in my future this weekend.


ed