When you get your miniature kits out of the box, your first thought is how cool they look, and the next step is to assemble them. An essential tool you want to get for this purpose is glue. But, there’s a catch! Every glue won’t work the same, as some are designed for specific materials.
Miniatures are made from different materials, metal, plastic, and resin. However, of these materials, resin minis are the weakest. If you need glue to assemble your resin miniatures, you want one that is strong, reliable and applies well.
In this article, we explore the various types of glues used in the hobby to know which works best for resin miniatures.
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Best glue for resin miniatures (And What Glue NOT To Use)
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What is resin, and what is the best way to glue resin?
Most people consider resin as just another plastic material but it really isn’t plastic.
Resin is a composite thermoplastic material that has the potential to mimic the appearance and properties of plastic. Hence, they are usually made of PLA or ABS plastics but are not technically plastics.
Unlike plastic and metal, resin miniatures are small and really flexible. This feature makes gluing resin both hard and easy. However, you can glue them by pinning small parts together, then applying glue.Resin fix miniature painted for a friend
Types of glues that will work well on resin miniatures
As stated earlier, glues vary depending on the material. Still, the most common types of glues you can use to fix your resin minis include:
- Super glue
Also called Cyanoacrylate, super glue is the best glue miniature hobbyists can use on their resin mins.
Super glue is a versatile glue that bonds nearly all materials, including resin miniatures. So, whether you have a Reaper Bone mode, Privateer Press Warmachine, or Hordes line super glue, it will work well on your resin minis.
Their only downside is that they have a liquid form that makes gluing small parts off your resin mini difficult, as they may fall off before the glue dries. The best way to avoid this is to add some glue accelerator after applying super glue to the model. The accelerator helps the glue dry faster.
- Epoxy glue
Like super glue, epoxy glue works well on resin miniatures. The only difference between them is that epoxy glues bonds stronger and endures stress well. Yet, a major drawback of using epoxy glue with resin materials is that your miniature may break with excessive pressure.
Epoxy glues take a long to dry and require you to hold the two parts together for some time to cure. When you apply pressure on the small pieces, you risk damage to your miniatures.
- UV resin welding
UV resin welding utilizes UV technology to glue your resin miniatures. This glue is made from the same resin material as your resin miniatures. So, it gives your resin miniature a more uniform finish after the bond sticks.
In order to resin weld properly, apply a thin layer of the UV printing resin on both pieces you intend to join. Then let UV light penetrate the joining to bond them together.
- Silicone Glues & Polyurethane
Silicone and Polyurethane materials can also form a very strong bond as superglue.
However, applied on resin miniatures, silicon and polyurethane glue will take a bit longer to cure efficiently. Plus, you may need to apply this glue thickly to get a strong bond and good adhesion.
Then again, the result of applying this glue thickly is you won’t completely hide the bonding, especially with the resin miniature being flimsy.
Don’t use plastic cement or plastic glue. They don’t work on resin the same way they work on plastic
Unlike metals and plastic, the resin has a weak form, so it needs something that won’t break its surface easily. Using plastic cement will quickly cause damage to your resin miniatures.
Don’t confuse resin for polystyrene plastic. Both are chemically distinct.
When you apply plastic cement to your plastic miniatures, they easily dissolve, but the resin won’t. So, plastic cement will not affect it since it feels more like you pouring water on oil.
Plastic cement bonds plastic miniatures by melting the plastic, allowing it to dry into a solid form and join again as one piece.
The best superglue for resin miniatures
I often refer to this glue as my all-purpose glue because it works on anything. But, on my resin miniatures, Gorilla glue gel is to crave for. It has a high viscosity but flows well to hold small resin parts together without leaving thick residues.
This glue also has some rubber compound in them that attracts resin materials. So, if you use your resin minis for gaming, this glue will also provide you with a strong enough bond for rough handling.
However, like with most superglue, Gorilla superglue often loses its sticking power with time.
Pros
- Versatile
- Tough
- Dries quickly in 1o to 30 seconds
Con
- It may lose its sticking power with time
Most superglue won’t work well as fillers, but this Zap-a-glue superglue does the job perfectly. Applied on your resin miniatures, it flows well into cracks and covers any tiny hole that may distort your miniature’s surface.
The only issue I’ve had with this glue is that it has low viscosity and runs thinner than other supper glue.
Pros
- It comes out of the bottle without hassle
- It does not clog easily
- It easily fills holes in your resin miniatures
Con
- It is too thin and empties in the bottle easily
- It is cheap but may amount to a hefty sum as you exhaust them easily
Another good super glue you should consider using on your resin miniatures is Loctite super glue. It sticks super well and is designed so that it doesn’t glue itself shut easily. Plus, it is easy to squeeze out of the bottle.
This glue ranks top of my favorites because it also comes in a gel formula if you need something easier to control. However, they can quickly stick to the skin since they dry quickly.
Pros
- Dries quickly
- Super strong adhesion
- Long-lasting
Con
- Sticks to the skin easily
If you need fine-quality glue that holds your miniature parts longer, army painter superglue is a must-have. This glue has a gel-like form and dries quickly. So, you won’t have to hold your miniature pieces for long to make them stick.
However, the army painter’s superglue has chemical components that make them flammable. So, be extra careful when using it.
Pros
- Dries fast
- Creates a long-lasting bond
- It does not leave thick bonds that may distort the miniature’s surface
Cons
- It may require thick quantities
- It is expensive
Games Workshop Citadel superglue is also another good glue to consider for your resin miniatures. It has a thick viscosity structure, which keeps your soft resin pieces together for a long time. Plus, it works well as a filler, giving your miniature a fine, clean, and sleek finish.
A unique feature of this glue is its sand-like color most glues don’t have, and it is non-flammable. However, it takes between 10 to 30 minutes to dry.
Pros
- The glue fits well into tiny spaces
- It works well in temperatures between 55 to 79 degrees
- Non-flammable
Con
- It dries slowly
Do’s & don’ts, tips, and other important information about gluing resin miniatures
- Apply glue thinly on the miniature to avoid increased cure time or distorted surface on your resin miniatures.
- Always fit your resin parts together before applying glue so that it bonds properly.
- Avoid placing your resin miniatures in a cold climate. Super Glue has poor shear strength. So, placing the model in a cold room for some time will cause the glue bond to become more brittle and snap easily.
- Don’t glue resin pieces without washing them. Since your resin material is made from a mold, it will still hold some oily mold release on its surface that may not allow the glue to stick.
- Cleaning the resin miniature with water and soap will risk breaking as some parts are small. Instead, use a toothbrush on larger parts and your hand on the smaller fragile pieces.
- If you plan to work in a cold environment, use a superglue accelerator to speed up the dry time.
- Make sure to apply the accelerator thinly or in small amounts. Applying large quantities can make the glue dry white and crusty.
Conclusion
I’ve worked on several miniatures, from metal to plastic and resin models. So, I know from experience that choosing the best glue for your resin miniatures will make painting and gaming with them more fun. Whether you plan to glue a single small piece or fill tiny holes, super glue is the best glue any miniature hobbyist can use on their resin minis.
Sources
https://www.forgeworld.co.uk/resources/fw_site/fw_pdfs/Modelling/Working_With_Resin_Models.pdf
What We Covered In This Article
Discover More:
Best glue for metal miniatures (Don’t mess about)5 Best glue for Plastic Miniatures (Warhammer, DnD, Etc.)How to get into model building (Complete Guide)Miniature types – painting metal vs. plastic vs. resin
FAQs
What is the best adhesive for resin miniatures? ›
The best glue for resin miniatures is super glue.
For a strong bond with resin miniatures, two-part epoxy adhesive will be the better choice. Epoxy, however, only works if there is sufficient bonding surface area for the epoxy to bind.
Superglue Even though resin is a type of plastic, glues used for plastic kits are not effective at sticking resin pieces together, a good superglue is required instead. Epoxy Glue For larger and heavier parts, a two-part epoxy can be used to provide a very strong bond.
What is the best glue for miniature basing? ›Super glue, crazy glue, or cyanoacrylate is the best universal glue for basing miniatures. This glue works on almost any and every material you might consider for basing flock, sand, or other things to your bases.
Why doesn't super glue work on resin? ›Most probably you add too much glue. Super glue only works well in ultra small amounts, depending on the material you are working on. This is because it needs humidity for its reaction. If you put on to much there is not enough moisture to absorb, so the blob won't harden as you expect.
What does art resin not stick to? ›What materials will ArtResin NOT stick to? ArtResin epoxy resin does not adhere well to disposable plastic paint tarps, plastic sandwich/grocery bags, silicone molds, and the non-sticky side of shiny tape.
Does E6000 work on resin? ›If you're not mixing up a second batch of resin, you can use a strong adhesive such as E6000 (although it's stinky), or ZapAGap, a great super-glue.
What plastic does not stick to resin? ›Polyethylene Plastics
Polyethylene plastic is used in the manufacturing of many resin molds, so it is a great material to use as Epoxy resin cannot stick to it, allowing you to easily remove your item from the mold. Pros: You will have a reusable and high-quality item.
Vaseline will work well too. It can be a bit greasy, so keep the layer light. Two coasters of mine got stuck to each other,i just put a drop of coconut oil and that helped me in seperating the two.
Which glue is best for Warhammer? ›Loctite: this is a professional brand of glue and the bond it creates is quite strong. The best part of it is that the Loctite will hold the parts together after just a few seconds (including metal!) making it possible to stand and cure on its own.
Should I glue mini to base before or after painting? ›Base first, unless there's something you really can't get to, in which case, do that first, then base, then paint the rest. You can hold the base and touch it up later, while doing the same with the mini alone will wear off important stuff. If you pin them, doesn't really matter since you can hold by the pin.
What is better than super glue? ›
Epoxy is the strongest of the reactive adhesives and is resistant to high temperatures, solvents, UV light and impact. Epoxy cures in two to 60 minutes (longer is stronger), reaching full strength in 24 hours.
Does adding baking soda to super glue make it stronger? ›To create an even stronger and faster-curing bond, you can add baking soda to your super glue. When you mix super glue and baking soda, it accelerates the curing process.
What should you not put in resin? ›You can put almost anything you want into Brilliant Resin! Paper, plastic, fabric, metal, clay, wood, natural elements, glitters and powders, and any combination of these elements work well. Things that contain moisture should be avoided, for example, fresh flowers and leaves.
Will resin stick to Mod Podge? ›Can you put epoxy over Mod Podge? Yes, we recommend it! In this project we poured epoxy resin over Mod Podge because it helped to seal the coasters. The Mod Podge protects the paper coasters from discoloring when epoxy is poured over them.
What is the best base for resin art? ›Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is an engineered wood product and is generally denser than plywood. These make great surfaces for resin painting because they come in a wide range of sizes and shapes. They are relatively inexpensive and can be found at your local craft store and online. They require no priming.
Why is my Gorilla Glue epoxy not setting? ›If the adhesive has not set it may be because the resin and hardener were not mixed in equal quantities – to ensure even distribution point tip upwards so the air bubble start to disperse and eliminate air by slowly pushing plunger until both resin and hardener are at the tip.
What does Gorilla epoxy not stick to? ›Gorilla Glue Original Formula will work on many types of plastic, however it's not recommend for use on polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) plastics or any type of rubber with high oil or plasticizer content. I use Original Formula Gorilla Glue as a third option to super glue and epoxy.
What are the disadvantages of epoxy glue? ›- Room temperature curing epoxies do not operate well over 120 °C, a heat cured epoxy is required.
- Without modification, cured epoxies can be brittle.
- Proper curing of two-part epoxies requires exact mix ratios.
- Slow cure times.
E6000+is a Multi-Purpose Super Strength Adhesive it is not the same as a super glue while it is as already mentioned very strong, waterproof, flexible and clear it does not dry quickly like super glues do.
How do you harden resin that won't Harden? ›Move your artwork into a warmer spot for 24 and let it dry ( resin drying time 20-24 hours ). Sand the entiry sticky surface off with 80-grit sandpaper and pour another resin coat layer. For the smaller sticky spots, you can try resin spray, which dries very quickly leaving a clear and gloss finish.
Does E6000 dry hard or flexible? ›
No, E6000 dries to a rubber-like consistency that is flexible and moves with adhered material. How long does E6000 take to dry? E6000 starts getting tacky in approximately 2 minutes and begins setting in approximately 10 minutes. A full cure takes between 24 and 72 hours.
Can I use cardboard as a resin mold? ›Cardboard, plastic sheets, even metal would work. Any cast starts with a mold. You need something to pour your material into, be it concrete, plaster, resin, wax, whatever. You can user everyday objects like bowls, packaging or make molds from existing objects.
Does resin stick to aluminum foil? ›Does Resin Stick to Aluminium Foil? Resin will adhere quite effectively to foil surfaces.
Can you touch resin with your hands? ›Wear protective gloves
You never want to touch uncured resin with your bare hands. Some people recommend buying Nitril gloves, saying it offers better protection against the chemicals than standard latex gloves.
Most people like to tape off the underside of the piece and allow the resin to drip over the sides, spreading it smooth with a brush or a gloved finger. 👉TIP: Drips can be wiped away with a gloved finger while they're still wet.
How do you get things to stay in resin? ›To do this, you can use a simple glue like Elmer's to adhere them to your surface area, or you can use our table top epoxy to apply a slightly thicker than usual seal coat to your surface area, and then press the items wherever you want them to be onto the seal coat.
Does ArtResin stick to parchment paper? ›ArtResin adheres to almost every material with the exception of plastic, silicone, plexiglass, vinyl, wax paper and parchment paper. What Can Or Can't I Use Resin On?
What glue do cosplayers use? ›Barge Cement is the go to glue for cosplayers! It is a contact adhesive that goes on smoothly, dries quickly, and has as ultra strong bond. It's great for bonding EVA foam to itself and other materials. It also has a neat application brush built right into the lid.
What glue do professional Lego builders use? ›Le-Glue - Non-Permanent glue for LEGO Bricks
It is a water-soluble adhesive, designed to hold your plastic building blocks together. Le-Glue works with all types of building bricks including LEGO® and Mega-Bloks®.
The name of the world's strongest adhesive is DELO MONOPOX. This is a modified version of the high-temperature-resistant DELO MONOPOX HT2860. This epoxy resin forms a very dense network during heat curing.
Do you need to prime resin minis before painting? ›
Do I Need to Prime Plastic, Metal, or Resin Miniatures? Priming a model helps paint stick and gives any paint job long-term durability. This is especially important if you're handling and moving your painted miniatures during gameplay.
Do you need to prime resin miniatures before painting? ›You really need to prime. The plastic is very flexible and you need a prime layer that will adhere to the plastic - otherwise the paint will flake off.
How long should minis dry before painting? ›The quick answer to this is approximately two hours. This is the average of the drying time for primers from Army Painter, Citadel and Tamiya but there is one gotcha that you need to be aware of.
Is there a difference between model glue and super glue? ›But, model cement can be stringy and messy if proper technique isn't used. It yellows with age. It also crystallizes and loses its adhesion properties over time. Super Glue® or Cyanoacrylate (CA) is a fast-curing, strong adhesive.
Is E6000 glue good for models? ›E6000 is great for building and repairing RC models. whether it's foam planes and wings, or flexible plastic tiny whoop frames, it just works!
How do you glue miniatures together? ›When gluing together plastic minis, you want to use plastic glue. This glue actually melts the plastic and when it hardens it hardens with the other side. You can buy this at most crafts stores. Also, you'll never lose feeling in your fingers because you can just rub the glue off.
What material does super glue not stick to? ›Plastic bottles, plastic lumber, resistant piping and geomembranes are some of the most common products made from polyethylene. In addition to the above plastics, cyanoacrylate super glue does not adhere to the following surfaces: Wet surfaces. Very smooth surfaces like glass.
What does rubbing alcohol do to super glue? ›Super glue can be removed from glass, countertops, tile, and other hard surfaces with rubbing alcohol. Pour enough alcohol to cover the glue spot and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. It will loosen the glue's grip on the surface and allow you to scrape it off.
What happens if you use too much super glue? ›The Problems With Too Much Glue
That glue solidifies on the sides of the block surface, not allowing it to compress all the way, which causes a couple of problems. Problem one: It could cause over-compression of the block by reducing the range of motion causing the block to fail.
For example if you want to filli a gap, grab the baking soda and filli that gap, if you want you can build up layer by layer. Then apply the super glue on top of the baking soda, you will notice that the small grains of the baking soda will soak super fast the glue and also cure making a rock solid bond.
How do you glue 3D printed resin miniatures? ›
For most jobs, cyanoacrylate, or superglue, is the best option for gluing 3D printed parts together. It's an easy-to-use glue that cures quickly. You can get excellent results, a strong bond, and an almost invisible seam. Since it cures in a matter of seconds, think twice before using it and make sure you're prepared!
What tape Can you use with resin? ›Clear polypropylene tape keeps your epoxy pours in place, or can be used to line epoxy molds to make demolding easier. Ideal for river tables, bar tops, counters, table tops, woodworking, resin casting, art applications and more.
How do I fill the gaps in my resin mini? ›- Prepare the surface you're filling.
- Apply your gap filler into the gap or hole.
- Use a sculpting tool to carefully remove excess gap filler material.
- Allow the gap filler to dry or cure.
- Use a file or sandpaper to smooth the hardened, filled-in surface.
Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA) Adhesive: A popular water-based domestic and commercial glue, PVA is generally best suited for building dioramas or landscaping, where it can be spread over a larger surface.
Why do my resin 3D prints keep failing? ›It could be due to several reasons: Build plate not sticky enough or stickier than the FEP sheet. FEP is damaged or has gotten loose. Debris from previous prints that prevent resin from being cured to the build plate shortly after the FEP sheet.
What glue works with 3D resin? ›2-phase epoxy or polyurethane. Another glues everything category, that should work rather well. The epoxy bonds are harder, the polyurethane ones are a little more flexible, but both bond very well with cured resin.
What will glue resin together? ›If you're not mixing up a second batch of resin, you can use a strong adhesive such as E6000 (although it's stinky), or ZapAGap, a great super-glue.
Does resin stick to Vaseline? ›Vaseline will work well too. It can be a bit greasy, so keep the layer light.
Do you have to sand between coats of resin? ›💡TIP: Remember: whenever your resin is dry, you need to sand before you apply a second coat to ensure the two layers bond together. If you don't sand, you run the risk of the two layers eventually delaminating.
Can you over cure resin minis? ›Yes, it is possible to overcure a resin 3D print just as easy as it is to undercure it. Here are the factors that can influence your resin 3D print's curing time: Size: Larger resin models require a longer curing time than small ones.
How do I stop the lines on my resin layers? ›
1 - Lines or streaks in your work can usually happen when you haven't used the resin mix quick enough, and then when you have applied it it doesn't properly self level. To avoid this make sure you apply the epoxy resin within the pot life time which is normally about 40-50 minutes.
What glue is eco friendly? ›For paper and packaging manufacturers, starch and dextrin glues are popular adhesives because they are inexpensive, abundant, and renewable. Both of these types of glues are water-based and derived from modified vegetable starches before being processed into adhesives.