discussion "Rubber" tracks, which glue?

[pjgtech]

Ok, so I'm quite close to putting the rubber tracks on my Revell German Half track (1:35 scale).
They are the single piece, long "rubber" type tracks. See pic:

After having looked at a few YouTube clips, there appears to be several methods, including Tamiya extra thin, super (CA) glue, stapling them together, sewing them together, etc, etc.

What is the collective and expert view here on the best way to connect them/secure them.

We'll get on to the infamous "Track Sag" later....

 

[PaulTRose]

Just looked at the instructions.......weird!....normally you get a peg and hole affair where you use something hot to melt the pegs to make a 'mushroom shape' to hold it in place

Think id fit the tracks so they meet on the bottom of a road wheel.....use ca to glue the ends together and to the road wheel for extra support.....but dont over do the ca....brittle joint

 

[pjgtech]

Cheers, On the Revell kit instructions it just has the symbol to glue, and that's it, no other advice/guidance.
Think I'll leave the tracks till last, still got a few other little bits to do.

 

[PaulTRose]

I just wondered what the ICM instructions said or showed but the drawings are indentical to the revell ones......however in the translated english written bit under tools needed it mentions 'rubber bond' which sounds like rubber glue to me

you got a bike tyre repair kit?

hope that helps

 

[pjgtech]

Just had another look at the Revell instructions, nowhere does it mention using another type of glue or different glue for the tracks.
When you get to the tracks it has the same "glue" symbol as for every other part, so I am assuming that "normal" modelling glue will do, eg: Tamiya Extra thin or Revell Contact Adhesive, etc.
I have actually contacted Revell customer service, via their website and asked them, but it has a standard disclaimer at the top of the page stating there is a 10 day response time! Not sure I can wait that long, but we'll see if they respond. Lol....

 

[Jim R]

I doubt styrene cement will work on rubber. Tamiya Extra Thin, Revell Contacta etc work by dissolving the plastic and as the solvent evaporates the two parts are "welded" together. I don't think rubber will be dissolved in the same way.
I have heard of rubber tracks being sewn/tied together with some black thread.

 

[pjgtech]

Cheers for that Jim, The tracks may not be rubber.....I'm saying they are "rubber" cos they have that soft flexible feel, but I don't actually know what material they are made from?
I would have thought if you need a different glue then the instructions would tell you that?
I might try and cut off a small slither and test glue it and see what happens....
Bloody things....!

 

[pjgtech]

Well, well, well....
Got a very fast response to my query direct to Revell Customer Service, see screenshot of email reply received just now!
They recommend using the normal Revell Contact cement. So I assume the tracks are not rubber after all.
At least I can now proceed....might still do a little test first though....

 

[pjgtech]

I'm hoping she did actually read my query and note that I was specifically asking about the tracks only?
Fingers crossed.....

 

[PaulinKendal]

I'm hoping she did actually read my query and note that I was specifically asking about the tracks only?
Fingers crossed.....

Just what I was thinking - it does look like a VERY standardised reply to me.

 

[pjgtech]

Well I can confirm that Revell Contact adhesive does indeed stick the tracks down!
It takes a while though. not fast setting at all!
And as the tracks are so soft and flexible, keeping them in place while allowing the glue to set is a problem, as the tracks constantly want to unfurl themselves. So, bodged up some little weights to hold the things down and then left them for a few hours.
Went back to have a look and they have set. Not sure how long they will stay set if mucked about with though? so trying not to touch them much once they have set.

 

[Tim Marlow]

I seem to remember some Dragon kits had rubber tracks that could be cemented by normal plastic solvent, as did the very old Airfix Sherman (but not the rest, they needed a six inch nail, and a gas stove). Certainly worth a try.

 

[pjgtech]

Hmm, ok, just been doing a bit more track fettling and the previous set tracks have started to come off (even with gentle handling)!
So tried again with CA and stuck almost immediately, will leave it for few hours and check again in the morning. [Sigh]