Gluing windows to BMF? - windows glued from outside on Revell's '83 Hurst Olds

[fun9c1]

So I just finished BMFing the sides and back windows of this and realized that the windows get glued on from the outside. I BMF'd from the outside around to the inside. The side windows fit in nicely, but I'm afraid that if I try to glue them in 1) the glue won't stick to the BMF, and 2) there's no way for wherever I glue to not show up on the window. How have others done this? I will gladly remove some BMF if I need to in order to make it stick, but still wondering how to glue without making it show on the clear. I hadn't BMF'd the back window trim yet in this pic, but the rear side window shows you what I'm talking about. The windshield isn't such a big deal I don't think, as I BMF'd the windshield (as opposed to the body) which will hide the glue.

Oh, also the back window doesn't seem to fit well, so I was thinking of gluing it on from the inside. Anyone else run into that? Or I could trim the window to fit from the outside.

My buddy had this exact car as a 1:1 when we were teenagers in the late '80s, so he's holding me accountable!

TIA for any advice.

[Bainford]

There are probably different ways of going about this. If this was my build, I would trim away the BMF from the inner parts of the window frame, the portion that forms the face against which the glass is placed. This is just for tidier BMF work. Either way, in this situation, I would have no qualms about gluing the glass to well applied BMF. Visible glue is always a problem with window installations such as this. I think I would try clear paint as an adhesive, applied carefully to the window edges. It may also be possible to fit the glass in place first and cleanly flow some Future into the joint.

I have a build on the go on which the windscreen fits in this manner. I have been playing with mixing white glue with black acrylic paint to make a black windscreen adhesive, similar to the mastic as used on 1:1 cars. I have done some experiments with the glue mix, but have yet to use it on a windscreen installation.

Regarding the rear window, I think I would sand the edges of the glass until I had a nice fit, which mimics well the way in which the glass was fitted to these GM cars.

[peteski]

Yes, standard plastic cements are useless for sticking to metal (BMF).  A thin bead of epoxy (clear glue) applied carefully to the edge of the window should work, or instead epoxy use canopy glue (which is white but dries crystal clear).  Canopy glue is water based to it is easier to clean up if something goes wrong. Trevor's advice of using clear paint or Future Floor Finish (which is basically water based acrylic clear) is also good advice.

And if the rear window does  not fit because it is too large then carefully sand the edges until it fits.  It might not fit due to the added thickness of the paint and BMF in the window opening. Manufacturers usually do not take that into consideration when designing a kit.

[Mike 1017]

BMF sell this. Terrible picture

Specialty Items

[stitchdup]

Since you haven't finished the glass now would be a good time to paint the edge of the glass black. It will make your model look better as it will make it look like the glass goes in the rubber beading under the chrome. Its a small detail but you'll be happier with the finished model.

[Matt Bacon]

Formula 560 Canopy Glue. It's ace for clear parts (as you might expect). White glue, a bit like PVA, but dries completely clear and will glue more or less anything to anything with a pretty resilient bond. Cleans up with water, and if you get any where it shouldn't go, cut a chisel edge on a matchstick and you can push it right off the surface...

best,

M.

Edited March 19 by Matt Bacon

[espo]

Matt's suggestion for a glue should be a consideration or something along that order. Another option that I have used is the old Future Floor polish. Also removing and foil from the small contact area where the window meets the body would also give whatever type of adhesive you use a better contact with the body.  Les mentioned painting the edge of the glass black, and since the 1:1 car has a pronounced black rubber seal with a small chrome trim part in it that would be one way to do that. 

[fun9c1]

Thank you all so much for the suggestions. I will give them a try and let you know how it turns out! Sounds promising!  👍