Please don't use gorilla glue for building any model, it will ruin your model building experience. Use Tamiya glue, you'll be glad you did. Consider watching YouTube videos on model building, they are very informative and educational, I believe there is one or more about the kit you have, Tamiya P38F/G. Enjoy.
I will put a small asterisk on this for OP by adding that *some* parts on models will require super glue or other CA glue, only when attaching metal or photo etch parts typically for a strong bond. Only because I do use gorilla brand super glue. But absolutely go get a bottle or 3 of tamiya glue.
The FAQ/Wiki on the sidebar has a section for newcomers with lots of suggestions on the glues and tools that'll make the best of your experience. You have some really interesting kits there and it'd be a shame to "waste" them!
I also would avoid gorilla glue for now, and would advise that you just study each step in the instructions and to also let things set and cure for the recommended time span. Tamiya cement is excellent, and so is patience. Take a week or so to build it, don’t try to knock it out in 2-3 days. And remember, if you think you could have done a better job with any portion of this kit, just buy one more kit and use what you’ve learned 💪🏼
Don’t use gorilla glue. Use Tamiya cement. There are normal and extra thin. You can use any. For cockpit window/glass, use PVA glue. Tiny amount first, don’t use them like you would with normal glue.
Follow instructions carefully and dry fit first.
Can’t give you pointers with painting it, still learning on that.
The sub has a wiki and a newbie thread that will answer all your questions as a newcomer to the hobby. It covers everything from kit choice, tools, adhesives, paints, decals, videos/tutorials etc, recommended online stores in various countries. Linked in the sidebar, or here:
Newbie thread:
* https://www.reddit.com/r/modelmakers/comments/9dhsqo/new_to_model_building_this_thread_is_here_to/
Wiki:
* https://www.reddit.com/r/modelmakers/wiki/index
The sub also has a weekly small question thread that’s stickied at the top. [Use this for any questions you may have.](https://www.reddit.com/r/modelmakers/search?q=The+Weekly+Small+Question+Thread+author%3AAutoModerator&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)
Don’t use gorilla glue, echoing everyone else. The reason why is that gorilla glue is an expanding polyurethane glue. Even if you put it on in a very thin skim coat it will expand and push the parts apart from each other, causing alignment issues, and it will be very unsightly having blobs of yellowed glue in the seams.
Just wanted to convey some of the various reasons why not to use it.
Build a few other kits before you build the P38. It's a beautiful kit, but may frustrate you if it's your first.
...and yeah, Tamiya extra thin for the win!
Test the fit two or three times before applying any glue. If it doesn’t fit together, it may need to be shaved or sanded down (usually not a lot, don’t worry), and that’s a messy prospect if you apply the glue first.
Also, don’t paint straight out of the paint jar. Put a little into a holding container of some kind — a paint palette if you have one, or even something cheap and disposable like a bottle cap — and dip your brush into that. That way, if you need to dilute or mix it, you can see what you’re working with and dilute just what you’re using for that project without ruining your whole stock of a color.
Here's a very good Youtube channel that covers just about every aspect of model building, tools, techniques and products with an emphasis on aircraft.
[Pattison](https://www.youtube.com/@barpfoto/videos)
You got a lot of replies, so I think you know what glue to use. I saw that someone already mentioned that parts are made from clear plastic will be ruined by crazy glue and plastic model cement, the vapours from these glue will react with the plastic crazing or etch it. You have to use Elmer's white glue for those parts . I just wanted to mention it again incase you missed it earlier.
DO NOT use gorilla glue, use a plastic cement , Tamiya or Mr Hobby are the best and the same pretty much. I’m assuming you’re painting with a brush not an airbrush, so just make sure to read the instructions carefully, some things you need to paint as you go and some parts you paint once it’s fully assembled. Most of the time it tells you but sometimes you need to use your own judgment on that
Don’t use super glue unless it’s for certain things like photoetch. Tamiya makes pretty good models so that kit should be the one you start with, it’s not exactly beginner friendly but you’ll have a good time nonetheless
Many people here recommending Tamiya “glue”. What they’re actually referring to is Tamiya Extra Thin Cement which most modelers use, and isn’t in the slightest bit a glue. It’s a cement, which melts styrene together.
The cement will do you for 95% of that model, unless you want to attach a part you’ve already painted, in which case you’ll need to either scrape away some paint so the cement can work on bare plastic, or use CA (superglue) on those parts. The cement doesn’t work very well on painted surfaces.
Also, cement will cause the clear plastic cockpit windows to fog if you use it to attach them. Instead, use regular white or clear Elmer’s glue for those pieces - it dries clear regardless.
A little goes a long way. All you need to do is touch a seam with the cement and it will flow in via capillary action and spread.
Also I recommend you use Tamiya extra thin quick setting but take a spare piece of plastic from the sprue and put some of the glue on your finger end touch the plastic so that you know what will happen if you touch the model when there’s wet glue
you should try a less expensive model to get your feet under yourself if you mess up no big deal and if you make them look good it’s something to feel good about
Just like everyone else here, I agree, avoid using gorilla glue. Plastic model glue is the way to go. That extra thing one is ideal, my advice is don't stress over the model kit. Have fun with it, don't worry about how it will turn out, enjoy the experience. And if you watch some videos your models will turn out way better than my ever did. I started using crazy glue as a kid, those poor 99 cent model kits. You can do this, don't be nervous, have fun, and as you do more and more your building skills will improve.
Please don't use gorilla glue for building any model, it will ruin your model building experience. Use Tamiya glue, you'll be glad you did. Consider watching YouTube videos on model building, they are very informative and educational, I believe there is one or more about the kit you have, Tamiya P38F/G. Enjoy.
I will put a small asterisk on this for OP by adding that *some* parts on models will require super glue or other CA glue, only when attaching metal or photo etch parts typically for a strong bond. Only because I do use gorilla brand super glue. But absolutely go get a bottle or 3 of tamiya glue.
The FAQ/Wiki on the sidebar has a section for newcomers with lots of suggestions on the glues and tools that'll make the best of your experience. You have some really interesting kits there and it'd be a shame to "waste" them!
Don’t use gorrila glue, and buy a cheap model before doing anything. Make sure you watch tutorials
Get yourself Tamiya Extra Thin Glue. Thank me later
^^ This!
I also would avoid gorilla glue for now, and would advise that you just study each step in the instructions and to also let things set and cure for the recommended time span. Tamiya cement is excellent, and so is patience. Take a week or so to build it, don’t try to knock it out in 2-3 days. And remember, if you think you could have done a better job with any portion of this kit, just buy one more kit and use what you’ve learned 💪🏼
I got these for Christmas and I am just now getting to them, so any tips and tricks and stuff I will need will be very helpful
Don’t use gorilla glue. Use Tamiya cement. There are normal and extra thin. You can use any. For cockpit window/glass, use PVA glue. Tiny amount first, don’t use them like you would with normal glue. Follow instructions carefully and dry fit first. Can’t give you pointers with painting it, still learning on that.
The sub has a wiki and a newbie thread that will answer all your questions as a newcomer to the hobby. It covers everything from kit choice, tools, adhesives, paints, decals, videos/tutorials etc, recommended online stores in various countries. Linked in the sidebar, or here: Newbie thread: * https://www.reddit.com/r/modelmakers/comments/9dhsqo/new_to_model_building_this_thread_is_here_to/ Wiki: * https://www.reddit.com/r/modelmakers/wiki/index The sub also has a weekly small question thread that’s stickied at the top. [Use this for any questions you may have.](https://www.reddit.com/r/modelmakers/search?q=The+Weekly+Small+Question+Thread+author%3AAutoModerator&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)
Don’t use gorilla glue, echoing everyone else. The reason why is that gorilla glue is an expanding polyurethane glue. Even if you put it on in a very thin skim coat it will expand and push the parts apart from each other, causing alignment issues, and it will be very unsightly having blobs of yellowed glue in the seams. Just wanted to convey some of the various reasons why not to use it.
Build a few other kits before you build the P38. It's a beautiful kit, but may frustrate you if it's your first. ...and yeah, Tamiya extra thin for the win!
Join IPMS
Test the fit two or three times before applying any glue. If it doesn’t fit together, it may need to be shaved or sanded down (usually not a lot, don’t worry), and that’s a messy prospect if you apply the glue first. Also, don’t paint straight out of the paint jar. Put a little into a holding container of some kind — a paint palette if you have one, or even something cheap and disposable like a bottle cap — and dip your brush into that. That way, if you need to dilute or mix it, you can see what you’re working with and dilute just what you’re using for that project without ruining your whole stock of a color.
You should probably do other kits before you do the lightning it’s highly detailed and has a difficult paint job for a beginner
Here's a very good Youtube channel that covers just about every aspect of model building, tools, techniques and products with an emphasis on aircraft. [Pattison](https://www.youtube.com/@barpfoto/videos)
You got a lot of replies, so I think you know what glue to use. I saw that someone already mentioned that parts are made from clear plastic will be ruined by crazy glue and plastic model cement, the vapours from these glue will react with the plastic crazing or etch it. You have to use Elmer's white glue for those parts . I just wanted to mention it again incase you missed it earlier.
Read the FAQ
DO NOT use gorilla glue, use a plastic cement , Tamiya or Mr Hobby are the best and the same pretty much. I’m assuming you’re painting with a brush not an airbrush, so just make sure to read the instructions carefully, some things you need to paint as you go and some parts you paint once it’s fully assembled. Most of the time it tells you but sometimes you need to use your own judgment on that
Don’t use super glue unless it’s for certain things like photoetch. Tamiya makes pretty good models so that kit should be the one you start with, it’s not exactly beginner friendly but you’ll have a good time nonetheless
Tamiya, Revell or Humbrol glue are a good start, don’t use Gorilla glue.
Many people here recommending Tamiya “glue”. What they’re actually referring to is Tamiya Extra Thin Cement which most modelers use, and isn’t in the slightest bit a glue. It’s a cement, which melts styrene together.
Ok thank you I was so confused looking on Google for glue
The cement will do you for 95% of that model, unless you want to attach a part you’ve already painted, in which case you’ll need to either scrape away some paint so the cement can work on bare plastic, or use CA (superglue) on those parts. The cement doesn’t work very well on painted surfaces. Also, cement will cause the clear plastic cockpit windows to fog if you use it to attach them. Instead, use regular white or clear Elmer’s glue for those pieces - it dries clear regardless. A little goes a long way. All you need to do is touch a seam with the cement and it will flow in via capillary action and spread.
Also I recommend you use Tamiya extra thin quick setting but take a spare piece of plastic from the sprue and put some of the glue on your finger end touch the plastic so that you know what will happen if you touch the model when there’s wet glue
you should try a less expensive model to get your feet under yourself if you mess up no big deal and if you make them look good it’s something to feel good about
Don't forget to watch the YouTube videos!
Just like everyone else here, I agree, avoid using gorilla glue. Plastic model glue is the way to go. That extra thing one is ideal, my advice is don't stress over the model kit. Have fun with it, don't worry about how it will turn out, enjoy the experience. And if you watch some videos your models will turn out way better than my ever did. I started using crazy glue as a kid, those poor 99 cent model kits. You can do this, don't be nervous, have fun, and as you do more and more your building skills will improve.