Gluing styrene to Cycolac - recommendations?

[ChrisBcritter]

I have a conversion project in mind that will require the combination of two bodies; one is very easy to find in kit form and the other is very rarely found except as a promo. What glue will adhere to both the Cycolac promo plastic and the styrene well? 

[peteski]

I have never worked with Cyclolac, but it doesn't seem to be a hard-to-glue plastic like polypropylene (2-piece tires), or other slippery plastic. In my experience super-glue (CA) is preferred for dissimilar material like those 2 you mentioned. Epoxy should also work.

 

You can always test the bond. In a non-conspicuous area (maybe inside under the trunk lid of one kit, using CA or epoxy, glue in a small piece of the other material, then after it hardens (make sure to wait ample time) test the  bond strength. Make sure to make the surfaces clean and grease-free. I Use Naphtha for cleaning, but 91% isopropyl alcohol works too.  You might even roughen the glued surfaces with some sandpaper before applying the glue.

Edited June 26, 2020 by peteski

[Dave Van]

Good grade 5 minute epoxy. 

[Ace-Garageguy]

Cycloac is nothing but a trade name for a grade of ABS. CA, epoxy, or one of the hotter solvent glues (MEK, MEK/acetone mix, etc.) will do you, but solvent resistance is high with some grades of ABS, so TEST.

NOTE: MEK-based solvents can contain varying concentrations of MEK. Some are much "hotter" than others. Be aware that not everything that has MEK on the label has it in the same concentration, so different products may perform differently on the same base material.

NOTE 2: In general, the longer an epoxy takes to cure, the stronger the bond. 30 minute goop is much stronger than 5 minute goop, for instance.

Edited June 26, 2020 by Ace-Garageguy

[peteski]

If Cycolac is affected (dissolved) by MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone), then Methylene Chloride will likely work even better.

[Snake45]

1 hour ago, peteski said:

If Cycolac is affected (dissolved) by MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone), then Methylene Chloride will likely work even better.

IME, MEK doesn't work but MC does. YMMV.