Sticking stuff?

[Gern]

I have an idea for a diorama that requires sticking a 3D printed building to a foam base painted with ordinary domestic emulsion paint.

Can I use PVA or will I need any special adhesive?

I should mention that this won't be used for wargames so the bond does not need to be super strong.

[Steven000]

I would say PVA glue should work fine, but it depends a bit on the size of the print, contact surface, the domestic paint etc...

[Tim Marlow]

Plus one on the PVA Dave. I’ve used PVA to hold injection moulded and resin cast buildings to insulation foam bases with no issues whatever for gaming scenery. Can’t see 3D printed stuff being any different when glued on. Just make sure the paint film is well attached, as that’s what you will be gluing the buildings to.

[Gern]

OK. Thanks guys. PVA it is.

Steven: Both buildings have solid flat bases and the foam base is also flat so I can't see any problems there.

Tim: I roughed up the surface of my base slightly so I had to work the paint into the foam to make sure the blue foam colour didn't show through. I reckon that should have bonded the paint quite well.

[LeytonO]

I find Speedbond from Deluxe Materials a bit stronger and faster setting than bog standard PVA.

[Mr Bowcat]

It's surprising how strong PVA is. I had a couple of bits of wood (2by2) that had been PVA'd together. Some time later (a couple of years) I tried to pry them apart and the wood splintered and broke before the PVA bond did.