discussion My External Mirrors Have Fallen Off

[Guest]

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... on my 1/16 RR car. The failure involved the breakage of the stems where they meet the car body, not the glue. (I keep the model covered with a yellow duster and it must have been dragged several times when being removed.)

As you can see, the stem on each is slightly more than a mm in diameter in width, and the part that enters the hole in the body was even smaller and was the bit that failed although the two wing mirrors have a swelling as they touch the body which would have strengthened the fixing.

I could:

A) Drill a minute hole up each stem, glue in a tiny stiff steel wire and re-drill the hole in the body to hold the wire that would then sticks out of the part. I don't think that is feasible, too minute;

B) Fit a polystyrene tube over each stem to increase the area of the glued contact between stem and body, then paint it silver (or instead use a piece of silvered sprue and drill a hole up it). That would make the stem oversized;

C) Simply re-glue with polycement or Super Glue and treat the model with huge care. (In fact, I am thinking of mounting the model in one of those plastic cases, partly to prevent damage and partly to keep dust off);

Any ideas please?

Which is stronger: superglue or polycement?

View attachment 202585

 

[eddiesolo]

Ah, not good Steve. I would be tempted for option three, easier all round, with a case it should prevent mishaps in the future.

I would see if I could tidy up the joint areas, car and mirrors and then maybe try a spot of good quality superglue, the stuff that sets quickly.

Si

 

[Guest]

I have had trouble with an aerial a similar size. I drilled a hole in the end and super glued in a stainless steel dress makers needle. Difficult to see the detail Steve so it is difficult to say if this would work in your case.

Laurie

 

[Ian M]

C. Just a micro dot of super glue. It will be stronger than the plastic. Its not as if you are going to play with it. Is it?

My main fodder, armour and aircraft have loads of bits that can and do get knocked off. I just glue them back with CA. if there is any unwanted shine, a quick splodge of the appropriate varnish does the job.

I feel your pain but no real need to panic Mr.Kir