I’m back to finishing a kit after a two year layoff. I need help installing the hinges. These are plastic pinned hinges. I’ve cut slots in both surfaces already. Should I use epoxy or CA glue? How do I stop the glue from getting on the pins? Should I try to get the glue in the slots first or put it on the hinge?

Be sure your slot isn't too tight a fit. Some people dip the HINGE PART in vaseline or melted parafin. For any type of hinge other than CA type, I use some 6mil poly with a tight fitting slit over the hinge before glueing or inserting , this can be slit and pulled out after the glue has set. Try to get epoxy in the slot with a VERY thin coating on the end of the hinge. The glue on the hinge will push out, while the glue in the slot should push in.

30-minute epoxy is good for plastic pinned hinges. You will want to scuff the hinges a bit with fine sandpaper so the glue will adhere to the plastic better. You can work a tiny amount of petroleum jelly or baby oil into the pin to keep epoxy from binding it up. A Teflon lubricant like Sullivan Dry Ice would be fine too, if you happen to have some on hand, but you don't need to make a special trip to the hobby store if you already have something more commonly available.

These hinges will often leave a more significant hinge-line gap than CA hinges. Sealing those hinge-line gaps with box tape or clear Monokote is a good idea.

For pinned hinges, I usually fold it, and dip the pin side in vaseline (Just get a tiny bit of vaseline on it) then heat it with a match and the vaseling will melt into the hinge to protect it from the epoxy.

Then, scoop up some (at least) 30-minute epoxy into a plastic drinking straw. Flatten out the end of the straw, insert it into the slot and squeeze just a tiny bit into each slot.

Then spread just a thin film on each hinge, insert them, make sure they are all straight, etc. and clean the area with alcohol and a paper towel.

I use Gorilla Glue for pinned hinge. I use a Q-tip to put some 3-in-1 oil on the pin, then another Q-tip to put a very thin coat of Gorilla glue on the part going into the wing. Give it a spritz of water, and push it in. The GG will foam and expand into the holes cut into the hinge, give a very good bond.

Brad

Hinge glue made by ZAP is easier to work with and no mixing involved.

Gorilla Glue has been the strongest for me. I highly recommend GG. It will fill any gaps and if the hinge is longer than the wood it's mounted in, the GG will form a 'head' on the inboard part of the hinge which makes it even more sturdy.

Just be sure to tape your surfaces together while the GG expands. Always roughen the plastic surface for better adhesion.