Plastic glue or superglue for Warhammer models?
Use plastic glue on plastic kits. It softens the two surfaces so they fuse into one piece. Use superglue on resin, which plastic glue will not hold.
Which glue for which job
| The job | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic kit from a box (most Warhammer) | Plastic glue | It fuses the plastic into one piece. The two Games Workshop listings of ours that name a glue, Empire Knights and Pathfinder Team, recommend Citadel Plastic Glue. |
| Resin parts | Superglue | Games Workshop's resin guide says plastic-kit glues do not stick resin and a good superglue is needed. |
| Heavy resin parts | Two-part epoxy | The same guide suggests it for larger, heavier parts, with superglue to hold them while it dries. |
Why plastic glue wins on plastic
Plastic glue is a solvent: it melts a thin layer of each surface and the layers set as one piece. One reply in an r/Warhammer40k thread says a plastic-glued model knocked off a table will usually just bounce.
Superglue sets as a thin layer between the parts. Joins are more brittle, so a dropped model can lose an arm cleanly, and it can leave a white haze around the join when it cures without airflow. Each re-glue adds another layer, and the parts stop sitting snug.
Some hobbyists use superglue for everything and are happy with it. If you do, use a gel so it does not run, and keep it off clear parts such as lenses, because it can fog them.
What spoils a glue join
- Superglue first, plastic glue second. The superglue sits between the parts and blocks the solvent. Pick one glue per join.
- Gluing through paint or primer. Plastic glue will not bond through a coat of either. Scrape the contact points bare first. This is the main reason to leave joins unpainted.
- Too much glue. A thin line on one surface is enough, and a heavy dose can spoil the surface around the join. Press the pieces together and hold them for a few seconds.
- Throwing away a cloudy pot. A cloudy pot is normal and the glue still works.
What to buy
A join needs only a thin line of glue. Add superglue only if you plan to build resin kits. Our Warhammer Colour Plastic Glue is a 15g pot at £4.15 (RRP £5.25) and is in stock.
If a box is push-fit, you may not need glue at all. See which boxes are push-fit.
Common questions
Is plastic glue the same as superglue?
No, they work in different ways. Plastic glue is a solvent that melts the plastic so two parts fuse together. Superglue hardens into a thin layer between the surfaces.
Can I use superglue on Warhammer plastic?
It works, and some hobbyists use it. Expect brittler joins and a possible white haze, and keep it off clear parts. Pick one glue per join.
Why has my plastic glue gone cloudy?
The brush picks up a little plastic each time you use it, so the pot clouds. It still works normally. Shake it, and replace it only if it has thickened too much to flow.
What glue do I use on resin Warhammer parts?
Games Workshop's resin guide says to use a good superglue, because glues for plastic kits do not stick resin. A superglue activator makes it set almost instantly. Apply the activator to one surface and the glue to the other.
Can I take apart a model I glued with plastic glue?
Often, yes. A joint with a thin line of plastic glue will usually snap or pry apart. Cut any stubborn join with a hobby knife and clean off the old plastic before you re-glue.
Glue recommendation: product text on our own listings (Citadel Plastic Glue), read 29 October 2026. Resin glue: Games Workshop, A Guide to Building Resin Model Kits (2024). Everyday experience with plastic glue and superglue: r/Warhammer40k and r/minipainting threads, 2026. Prices and stock: this shop, read live.