Attaching Door Mirrors?

What's the secret for attaching door mirrors? I've been battling for 10 minutes to get a door mirror attached, but due to the awkward angel the glue doesn't set fast enough to let it "grab" onto the body...

I tried -

Micro Scale Clear glue - No way was that going to work.!!
Micro Scale Weld - Didn't dry fast enough

Wasn't brave enough to use superglue.

In the end I used a bottle of brush on Revell Cement, and this worked, but it was "very" close to clear plastic and it could have fogged the window. It hasn't, thankfully but what a total git to get stuck on..!!

How do all you attached door mirrors..?

I use Micro Scale Krystal Klear, just put a little on the body where the mirror goes and let it get tacky first.

You may have to prop the body up sideways while the mirror dries in place.

Or you could drill a hole in the body before you begin to build and also drill a hole in the mirror base to install a wire in. That way the wire in the mirror base can be put into the hole in the body when it's time to put them on, the wire will act as a locating pin. The wire just needs to be long enough to go through the body plastic.

Using a pin is the way to go. Not only will it provide a stronger bond since some of the mirror have a rather thin attachment but it will also provide an exact location point to the body. Some Tamiya kits have very thin, shallow lines indicating the mirror location. This lines tend to dissapear under paint, with the pins it's no longer a problem. Of course like Veyron says this is a lot earsier done before painting.

2-part 5 minute epoxy has been working rather well for me.

Basically just like the white-glue based adhesives, it does not use solvents to melt the parts together, but it creates a stronger bond. Also any excess can be easily removed with alcohol before it sets.

hth,
Bill

If your body is painted, this is your problem. Glue don't stick on paint. you need to remove the paint where you want to glue. (same goes with chromed parts)

I prefer the water based glue because inevitably you are going to knock a mirror off and the water based glue will release the mirror without taking any paint with it off the body.

Then all you have to do is wet the glue and it will reliquify making the reattachment easy and damage free.

I prefer the water based glue because inevitably you are going to knock a mirror off and the water based glue will release the mirror without taking any paint with it off the body.

Then all you have to do is wet the glue and it will reliquify making the reattachment easy and damage free.

Spoken like a true model car contestant...;-)>

and a good point...

Bill

while we're on the subject, who here glues on their mirrors and other accessories such as spoilers and air vents onto their models before painting?

I've never done this but i've seen people do it and it seems like a better idea with less hassle and less things to mess up

while we're on the subject, who here glues on their mirrors and other accessories such as spoilers and air vents onto their models before painting?

I've never done this but i've seen people do it and it seems like a better idea with less hassle and less things to mess up

I usually do when possible.

while we're on the subject, who here glues on their mirrors and other accessories such as spoilers and air vents onto their models before painting?

I've never done this but i've seen people do it and it seems like a better idea with less hassle and less things to mess up


that would make polishing the body a lot harder, as you couldn't polish close to that stuff. you would probally end up knocking it off lol.

I usually do when possible.

I dont because i have visions of the paint clogging around these areas :uhoh: after wet coats.

Mike

I dont because i have visions of the paint clogging around these areas :uhoh: after wet coats.

Mike

I agree for miror it happen, but fr vents, bumper and other body part, I don't see why not...

The idea of making a hole and using a locator pin is a good idea. That is what I should have done.

It was a right pain getting them attached to the body using anything other the revell contacta cement, but one slip, and that would have been it..!! Wonderful paint job, = ruined..!!

Oh - I stick all body parts on apart from mirrors before priming and painting.