Dolls House Parade

Glues & Adhesives

There is probably only one thing that is used by every single dolls house collector, and it is most likely the thing that is least understood and has the most bewildering choice of products. We are of course talking glues and adhesives.

A dolls house project will include a variety of tasks involving glues and adhesives and different applications will benefit from the use of different products. We will now try to shed some light on this sticky subject - I am sorry that was a bad pun. We have obviously based this article on products we can supply, and the help of John Bristow from Deluxe Materials. However alternatives can be used providing that they have similar properties.

Adhesives Guide

	Wood	Metal	Veneer	Ceramic	Plastic	Foam/ Fabric	Foil	Painted Wood	Paper	Brick
Tacky Glue	OK		OK	OK	OK	Best	Best	Best	OK	Best
Aliphatic Resin	OK		Best						OK	OK
Speed Bond	Best		OK						OK
Wallpaper Paste									Best
Rocket Rapid	OK	Best	OK	Best	Best			OK		OK

Tacky Glue

This is a very flexible and versatile glue. It will bond painted surfaces, fabric and plastic and also dries clear. This makes it ideal for fixing Perspex windows etc.

Aliphatic Resin

Like Speed Bond this is another emulsion glue. Because it is water based, it requires at least one of the surfaces to be porous. Also because it is water based it can be cleaned up with warm water. This is another woodworking glue but it is more suitable for use with furniture due to the fact that it will take a stain.

Speed Bond

This is a standard PVA glue. A water based glue. Ideal for all woodwork, i.e. the construction of the dolls house carcass, installing wooden windows etc. It is fast drying but will require pressure on the joint (such as a clamp) to ensure accurate positioning while the glue sets.

Wallpaper Paste

This is one area where hobbyists tend to over-complicate things. Wallpapering your dolls house is the same as wallpapering in real life. Use a wallpaper paste. Do not use other glues or adhesives because you will lose the ability to slide the paper on the wall while you find the final position before letting it dry. Other glues will be too "tacky" and the wallpaper will tear if you try to slide it. Remember - dolls house wallpapers are much thinner than real ones.

Always remember to use a non-acidic, non-toxic paste. This is most important if you intend to use copper tape for your lighting. Toxic pastes will react with the copper to produce a nasty green stain on your walls.

Roket Rapid

This is a cyanoacrylate (sorry but I just had to use that word) adhesive. The common term for this type of adhesive is "superglue". Its instant bonding properties make it ideal for jobs which cannot be held in place or where fast construction is needed such as with metal kits.

Always be careful when using this type of glue because it sticks anything to anything ­ quickly (or indeed anyone to anyone). The dolls house hobby is friendly but this may get you too friendly. Stray blobs of glue can be destructive so always clean up as you go along.

Setting time is about 10 ­ 15 seconds and it sets clear.

Roket Powder

This is a filler powder - ideal for filling gaps in joints or between parts. It is simple to use. Introduce the powder into the gap with the applicator provided - do not fill more than a 3mm depth at a time. Then add a small amount of Roket Rapid. Once it sets the resultant filling is very hard and it can be sanded and drilled. If your gap is deeper build the filler up in layers. This makes it ideal for use when re-positioning hinges, where you want to fill in the original screw holes.

Tacky Wax

Tacky Wax is great. It is versatile, clean (it can be cleaned off with soap and warm water). And, whilst it is not designed to be "permanent" it has enough strength to hold most parts in place. Use it to hang mirrors and pictures, steady glasses and ornaments on tables, secure carpets and rugs, affix lights, etc. etc. etc.

"No dolls house collector or miniaturist should be without it"

We use this extensively in our shops to help create our "room sets". Whilst we want a strong bond - able to withstand the rigours of our customers - it must not be permanent. When we change our displays we simply scrape the Tacky Wax off and move the item. The Tacky Wax can even be re-used and it does not stain. It is great for "spot fixing", i.e. a blob in each corner of a rug will secure it in position but make it easy to move, in the future.

Microtips

These are for use with Roket Rapid. The tips and tubing allow "micro-application" of the glue, which not only makes pinpoint application possible but also extends the shelf life of your glue by reducing bottle top clogging.

The tips are fitted to the spout of the bottle, allowing easy application. When you have finished using the glue it can be stored like this. Remember - superglues will quickly degrade and they set on contact with moisture, so the larger the tip hole the shorter the life of the glue will be. Setting may occur but only at the end of the tip - this means that the bottle nozzle is not destroyed and the glue in the pot is not degraded, because it has been sealed at the tip. The next time you use the glue simply snip off the end of the tube or if necessary fit a new tip.

In summary then the main types of glue to buy are as follows:

• For general woodwork use Speed Bond - a PVA glue
• For furniture use Aliphatic Resin as it will take a stain
• For metal and faster work use Roket Rapid
• If you just want to hold parts in place - Tacky Wax

Quick Reference Guide

If you have any queries that have not been answered by this feature please contact us on

Tel: 020 8295 0688 or Fax: 020 8295 1061

e-mail: info@dolls-house-parade.co.uk

We will do our best to answer your questions, with the help of the expert - John Bristow of Deluxe Materials.

If you need any other help or advice, or have any suggestions for topics you would like to see featured in the future, or you have your own hints and tips you would like to share with your fellow miniaturists, please e-mail us at:

enquiries@dollshouseparade.co.uk

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Dolls House Parade

4a, Royal Parade, Chislehurst, Kent, BR7 6NR UK
Telephone: 020 8295 0688   Fax: 020 8295 1061
International - Tel: +44 20 8295 0688   Fax: +44 20 8295 1061
Email: enquiries@dolls-house-parade.co.uk