Re-gluing and such...

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

What is an appropriate glue to use for repairing toy train boxes–regular Elmers white glue, or…?

And, what’s a durable adhesive for re-sticking the celophane windows to the cardboard?

Thanks.

Carl

2

I have a few boxes that need fixin’ too! Anyone have any ideas?Thanx

3

Good old elmers is my preference

4

Carpenters glue is better.

5

Does anyone know the technical difference between white (is it milk based?) glue and yellow carpenters glue? Maybe the particular chemistry doesn’t matter here.

6

White glue is more susceptible to weakening in the presence of moisture or high humidity. Yellow carpenters glue won’t turn loose with moisture. As to the chemistry, i’m not sure.

7

Thanks for the input, guys. Anyone have any thoughts on how to restick the window celophane to the box?

Carl

8

I use Elmer’s on the windows as well.

I do not like to use yellow(wood) glue to glue boxes back together, as it is far too thick. Yellow glue can make a very neat repair, while yellow glue will leave a big glob of glue where you do it.

9

The yellow glue is the best.

10

And tell me, Hans Zimmer\Sandy Jorgenson\Bill Conner\Joe Polska\Frankie CSX\M.DONALDSON, just how many postwar boxes have you repaired?

11

For reataching the cellophane, I would use Scotch tape. It sounds simple, but in my experience, it gets the job done and lasts for a long, long time. I have used it to make minor repairs to some old train books and it seems to work well. I’m not an expert though, so I’m not sure if the adhesive on the tape is safe to use with items which one is trying to preserve. It does yellow some over time, if that is any concern.

I hope I have helped,
Daniel

12

I’ve read and been told that gluing or taping pre and postwar boxes lessens the value, at least in the eyes of the diehard collectors. I know this is true for Plasticville collectors. I wouldn’t be concerned about the newer items.

13

I wonder what was originally used. Years ago we often used a gooey substance called musillage–or some such spelling–to adhere things. If memory serves, it was used for sticking cellophane also. Is this stuff still available?

14

You can still get mucilage if you really want it:

http://www.currys.com/adhesives/prodinfo1.asp?SubcatID=3013&catID=23

If you don’t want to use white or yellow carpenters glue, you can use hot melt glue. This stuff works great on cardboard. Rubber cement used in “contact” mode can also be used to re-attach cellophane. Light coat on cardboard and on cellophane, allow to dry, press in place.

15

chuckn…Mostly, I’m wondering what others have used, and with what success. It would be nice to use adhesives for cardboard and for re-attaching the plastic windows that are both durable and don’t violate the integrity of the box very much. I have not tried hot glue. Maybe, that is what is used by manufacturers nowadays. Thanks for the input.

Carl

16

for cellofane rubber glue works great