"Tips On Gluing Vinyl Tracks On Model Kits?" Topic

Anyone got any tips on gluing the vinyl tracks of the type found on Airfix kits? The instructions say to melt the two ends together, God knows how exactly I just melted the thing into mush when I tried it. Superglue doesn't seem to work.

Assuming that you don't want the tracks to move (and since the drive sprockets are usually glued, there's no point), I superglue the tracks to one of the return rollers at the top of the running gear. I prefer using the thicker superglue for this. By using a return roller as an "anchor" the track has something to hold onto besides itself. And, depending on the vehicle, the (usually) unsightly join can be hidden by skirts or whatever.

Wyatt

Great idea Wyatt. I've been sewing mine, but super glueing in place sounds so much better.

Vince

I use staples.

Thanks,

John

Over the years, I've tried sewing, using staples, melting and superglue, with various degrees of success.

I have to admit that I've always had the best results when using the glue, just as Wyatt describes.

On the odd occasion where there is no skirting, etc. to hide the join, I have glued the track to the bottom (rather than the top), and then disguised the join with flocking, mud, etc. The results look just as good.

C E

Staples as above, you probably need to trim the tracks to the right length as well e.g. the ones on the Airfix Pz IV are far too long and the excess provides useful stowage. If going for the 'tight track' approach, make sure the glue on the wheels is dry first….

For tracks which are the right length to start with (e.g. Airfix Mark 1) I usually just melt the ends together and maybe locate them with a dab of poly cement. If all else fails there are staples for these too.

Staples can be concealed by track guards or basing (or luck if the wheels and tracks align right).

Another vote for staples. I manually pierce mine in, of course, and don't use a stapler. You can squeeze them tightly and put it in a strategic place where they will not be noticed.
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Tim

Staple them, cover them in ….something…goo, mud, stowage, whatever

I stapled mine, preferably putting the staple in an area where it would be hidden by a sand skirt or something.

staples here too, although I usually prefer link and length type tracks when they are available!