Do any liquid styrene model glues exist without ordors?
My wife is forbidding any gluing inside the house with Testors anyway. I can’t say I blame her.
The fumes are killin’ me as well. Wretch inducin’ stuff even with a fan over my work (kitchen stove exhaust fan). The whole house still stinks in short order…
Any recommendations? I need to buy something a.s.a.p.
If non ordor glues don’t exist, do the needle type applicator bottles cut down on the brush in a jar method much?
Thanks for your help!
Even though I have never personally used one, needle-type applicator bottles do help both to cut down on odor, as well as make application of the adhesive more precise. I use either the applicator brush or a small paint brush to apply the liquid styrene adhesive where I want and am very careful about only allowing the bottle top to be off the adhesive bottle for a very short time, so as to minimize the odor.
You will not find a glue that will produce a decent bond with styrene that won’t have some odor. I don’t know just how much you are applying to cause such a problem with the odor. Maybe your wife is just very sensitive to even the smallest amount.
I do find that the Testors (watery) liquid that you brush on does create the strongest odor. I use Faller Xpert exclusively and find that the odor doesn’t seem to be that bad at all. The needle applicator allows only the exact amount needed for the joint. I find that the only time I do smell the MEK is when clearing the needle (will squeeze to free any glue in the needle occasionally to stop any clogging). The Testors Model Master is very similar but I haven’t used it in a confined area as with the Faller to attest to the odor problem.
I think that the odor issue is that the liquid cement your using evaporates very quickly and a substantial amount need to be applied to have the joint wet for the bond. Add to the fact that you have an open bottle with continuous brush dipping and those molecules are just filling the air.
My wife is really sensitive to it too (I used Tenax-7R). The two solutions I found were to do my gluing outdoors, or use CA (super glue). CA’s bond isn’t as strong, but the nice thing is if you mess up, you can put it in the freezer overnight and the pieces will break apart again easily, giving you a second chance.
Thanks very much guys. I have to admit that even though I “blamed” the wife, I too am chemically sensetive which causes migraine headaches. I lose whole days which really sucks! If I can’t find a variety of brands, I’ll at least go with a needle applicator stye. I figured the cap off the jar while brushing thing definitely contributes to the order permeating the entire house.
I have been gluing outside but, dang, it’s cold! Even then, all of my food for the next several hours tastes like MEK. (Yech rhymes with MEK).
Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated. I’ll be heading for the nearest Hobby Store (25 miles away) tomorrow to pick up something else to try.
Keep those glue/vapor jokes coming too. Pretty funny! Wait, what was I saying? Who are you? Why are the walls moving???
Capt. G.
I think the MEK vapors are heavier than air, so the exhaust fan won’t lift them out of the house. Try using a cardboard (or better) box with a duct fan (at home stores to boost HVAC ducts, get a powerful one) attached near the bottom to exhaust the heavy vapors. Run some flex duct (for dryers) out the window through a cardboard (or better) plate that will seal out the vapors from coming right back in. This is the cheap version of the solution. I’m planning to build a spray paint/exhaust booth equipped with a small squirrel cage fan (from a small furnace) and plenty of lights for better visibility, for my basement. Right now I’m using a cardboard box with a duct fan (4")that helps, but is not perfect (It doesn’t smell up the house, only the area around the ‘spray booth’.
If that doesn’t work, buy her a scented candle and fry up some fish while boiling some cloves of garlic![dinner][xx(]
Hmmmm…heavier than air. That would explain a thing or two. I’m heading over to the hobby shop to see what I can find that’s non-toxic and still liquid form. I see if they’ll let me chuff a little Faller vs. whatever
else they have (but probably not)…I was going to wait until Wed. (tomorrow) but after taking my Testor’s bottle outside, I knocked it over and lost the last little bit that was left. It was the fumes, I swear
I picked up the Tenax 7-R. It seemed to fit the bill. They didn’t have Faller to check out…the only needle style was Testors again. I stood there “chuffing” and getting a few raised eyebrows to go along with my raised conciousness but most of the hobby store employees used the Tenax and liked it.
My ultimate test was to drive home with the bottle open for a bit and not a scent at all permeated the ol’
cab of my “0-4-0” Honda Civic! The wife also approved (tentatively) during our brief kitchen test.
So thanks guys. You saved a marriage (so far) and I’m enjoying myself more too. No headache symptoms.
I’ll “sniff” some Faller when I get the chance and keep researching but if the Tenax fits the bill the most,
I’ll keep using that product. Too bad it’s a bit spendier, but it’ll be worth it.
I DID think of using garlic to mask my modeling but that still gets some complaints 'round 'bout midnight
Now, I’m in pursuit of less stinky acrylic paints. The ModelMaster line is pretty good but I’ll see if there’s something even less smelly (and cheaper) out there.
Don’t leave the lid off the Tenax bottle very long or the stuff will all be gone in a few hours. It evaporates extremely rapidly – ask me how I know!
The best way to use styrene glue is with a needlepoint applicator – a very small precise application and little or no smell. Tenax would benefit greatly from this method of application since it evaporates so fast.
but most of the hobby store employees used the Tenax and liked it.