Hi,
Couple of questions regarding getting hold of Tamiya Extra Thin Cement (Green top stuff) in the U.K.

> Are there any retailers that still stock it?

>Has anyone tried importing a couple of jars in via Hong Kong/USA/Taiwan etc with any success?

I understand that due to the usual health & safety regulation no-one seems to be stocking it anymore on this side of the pond.
Would be fascinated to know if anyone has had any success with getting hold of it.
Many thanks in advance.
Paul.

I'll be watching this too, as I've never seen it in the shops round here. I use Humbrol's liquid by default, but would like to try the Tamiya stuff eventually...

Tom

Hi Guys,

I usually buy mine from Models for sale, although they have none in stock at the moment (just checked), but you could drop them an email to see when they're going to have fresh stock. Good luck in your search,

Jason

i usually use models for sale as well,you could try gunze thin cement at mdc and its in stock.
http://www.shopcreator.com/mall/productpage.cfm/ModelDesignConstruction/_mc129/-/Mr.%20Cement%20S

paul

Hi Guys
save yourself a shed load of cash by going to your local plumbing shop(not sure if B&Q etc sell it) and get some MEK plastic pipe cleaner/ POLYPIPE pipe cleaner,it's cleaner for ABS and PVC but welds our plastic a treat!

I've used this stuff for 20 odd years and its a bloddy site cheaper that paying
£4 for 40ml when you can get 250ml of Polypipe for about the same price!!!
It joins very strong and very fast.
I also use if for cleaning paint brushes after using MR SURFACER ,I decant it into old liquid poly bottles or Tamimiya paint jars,the stuff that has been used to clean my brushes after MR S is grey ,and is handy on darker plastics ,as you can seen the flow.
It wiffs a bit so use it in a well vented room,or you might go silly!!!!
Here a few numbers
MEK BUTANONE UN No 11930ss
POLYPIPE product code CF250 UN No 1193
HTH
Andy

Andy,

Thanks for the tip - I've used MEK before (in expensive hobby bottles...) but can't really do that in the family room. Still, it does bond plastic incredibly well...

Tom

Hi Guys,

Jason - checked there to, will send them an e-mail & see if they've got any news.
Paul - have read about the Gunze stuff, is it any good?
Andy - now there's something I've never thought of trying. How aggressive is it on plastic?

Many thanks, Paul

"Paul - have read about the Gunze stuff, is it any good?"

hi,its just as good as the tamiya stuff,we probably dont use it as much as the tamiya glue because its harder to get.....

paul

Greetings all,

Got a reply from Vince at Models for Sale:

"Unsure if or when we will be getting this again, sorry. Its rather hard toget hold of at the moment"

So I think we can say, with much sadness, that supplies are going to be a bit scarce. Looks like we may all have to try the alternatives or go through the e-bay route via Hong Kong, although I've still got to check out if this can be done without getting the stuff confiscated by H.M.Customs!

Paul

Scuttlebutt is that it is the labling on the packaging that makes it hard to import.
I think that it would have to go surface as the PO regulations will take a dim view of trying to air-freight this.

You might try people who have got hold of Gunze Mr Surfacer, as this has similar issues, but I've got Mr Surfacer, MEK, (& others in my club get the Tamiya thin) from your local Model Show.
Here's mine: http://www.militarymodelling.com/forums/postings.asp?th=37437
A good place for browsing, bargins & getting those items that aren't worth single item postage.

Finally I use EMA Plastic Weld, available from LHS, Antics, etc. about £2.20 for medium medicine bottle size.

This is 'HOT', much more agressive than MEK, & will also glue Plastic, Acrylic, Plastruct, ABS, melting cutting mats,
my notes here: http://www.modelarmour.com/index.php?option=com_jfusion&Itemid=81&jfile=viewtopic.php&f=14&t=2019

Jon,

I take it EMA Plasticweld is different from Plastruct's Plasticweld?

Tom

Yes!
EMA's Plastic Weld has a different name for starters, & will deal with anything, inc your green cutting mat!
My weapon of choice with caveats below, & easily available.
See my link for a pic of what EMA looks like.

Plastruct isn't as hot, & takes longer to weld ABS to plastic.
It does smell more like pears, & I haven't tried it with Acrylic.

I worked in the print industry, & I now use all liquids with a LOT more caution, ESP MEK,
(decant into a small bottle, glue/bluetac to a LARGE disc, only have liquid bottle lid open for as short a time as poss, work near an open window, or in a draughty house, try not to breathe in

Thanks for that - I just wanted to make sure as my Plastruct stuff isn't very agressive compared to your description of the EMA stuff. I'll have to try some now...

And I hear ya on MEK - it is at best an "outdoor" tool in my house! (I cherish what few grey cells I have left...)

Tom

Some interesting information coming up.

Will have to have a look round & see what I can find. Definately sounds like it's worth trying a few diffirent types just to see what htey do.

Paul

Hi guys,
I was also looking for some Tamiya Extra Thin when this thread first appeared, so after reading the replies I decided to try one of the Ebay suppliers.

I purchased two bottles from the cheapest seller I could find called empire.rc in Hong Kong ...it cost me £9.40 inc P&P and took 12 days to arrive (but I think that included a Chinese National holiday). At £4.70 ea. bottle it's not exactly cheap, but if it's the right tool for the job then...

Hope this helps,
Steve

P.S. Has the Tamiya Acrylic Paint Thinner also vanished from our shores? Eurocratic health & safety also???

Steve,

Modelzone lists it for £1.50 a bottle on their website, so I hope Tamiya thinners is still available! Sadly they only stock the small bottles, which work out more expensive - the bigger bottles disappeared ages ago...

Tom

Hi Tom,
Thanks for that. Model Hobbies list the X-20A in stock @ £1.17 for the 10ml 'mini' but that still makes it 30quid for 250ml (plus P&P!)

I may try Ebay again

Cheers,
Steve

And roughly the same again for the paint too... Seems they've all learned that tiny bottles with big prices are the way to make money!

I've seen various suggestions involving surgical alcohol and water mixes, but they need some kind of retarder to keep the paint from drying mid-air.

Tom

Seems that the Euro Health & Safety Nannies are doing a good job at stopping us getting supplies of anything that smells a little bit pungent! It really makes me wonder what they think we're doing with it.
Steve- glad you've managed to get some from HK okay, may give it ago as well as the Gunze.
Am still keeping my eyes & ears peeled for any stocks arriving in the UK though.

Cheers, Paul