miniwendy Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 Hi, I'm new here. I think I bit off a bit more than I can chew for a first dollhouse! I had thought that it would be easier to rehab/finish up a partially done dollhouse than start a kit from scratch, but I'm beginning to realize that maybe this wasn't the best way to go. I picked up a partially put together house off of Craigslist. I think it is a Lafayette, but quite a bit of the trim peices are missing, so I'm not entirely sure! The person who built it glued the major pieces together (walls, floor, roof etc.), attached the windows and trim, glued on all the shingles and then spray painted the entire house a single color without protecting anything from the spray (picture spray spattered windows etc.). Also, there are large hardened paint drips and runs on the exterior and giant glue blobs. So, I ordered siding strips from Greenleaf and thought I'd side the exterior and just cover up all the problems. Sounded easy. And I'm sure you experienced folks could do this with your eyes shut! But, I'm having problems. The biggest of which is the siding curling up incredibly when I put it on. I tried laying heavy books on top to keep it flat, but then the siding usually ends up splitting. What am I doing wrong? I'm using Allenes tacky glue, but tried the yellow carpenter's glue and that didn't seem to work any better. Help! Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just One More Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 I'm no expert in siding but I think water based glue is what makes it curl up. I sided a whole house without overlapping and held it down with weights but it took forever. If I do siding again I'll use Quick grab glue. It works great for shingles also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miniwendy Posted July 13, 2008 Author Share Posted July 13, 2008 What is Quick Grab Glue? Is that a type of glue, or a brand name? And where do I find it? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christinee Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 Quick grab glue is a solvent based (non-water based) glue. You can get it from miniatures.com or WalMart may have it. (My local walmart has it in the craft aisle). Quick grip could be a bit messy and stringy but it dries very quickly, dries clear, and will not curl the siding. If you're doing the whole house, I recommend picking up 2 tubes so you have enough. Also, if you lay books on the siding right after you glue it down, it shouldn't splinter or break the siding as long as you're weighing down a straight, flat side. If you try to uncurl the siding after the glue dried, that may be more difficult to do without breaking the siding. You can apply the siding with wood glue but you would immediately have to lay weights on top of it to keep it flat while drying. Start by clamping the ends of the siding wherever possible with binder clamps, or regular clamps. Then, lay a piece of wax paper on the siding (to prevent any glue from getting on the weights and to protect the siding) then apply the weights. Masking tape, clamps, books, etc., are all good things to keep siding down in addition to heavy things. Work in small sections if you have to so you can make sure the siding doesn't curl up again and so you have enough weights to keep the siding down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfie Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 Aileens' also makes a wonderful quick grab glue.....and it is about the best and very fast drying! Good luck with your project. Doing a rehab is definitely a challenge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miniwendy Posted July 13, 2008 Author Share Posted July 13, 2008 I'll try Walmart for some quick grab glue and give it a try. I may just buy a dollhouse kit (something basic), build it and come back to the rehab later once I've developed some more skills. I've been thinking "kindling" thoughts a little too frequently with this project! Thank you!! Wendy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 Wendy, take a look at my "Laurel rehab" album's "before" pictures; every bit of it was originally built using hot glue (including the window plastic!) and none of the inside had seen paint or sealer. On the subject of siding (and shingles), I use Probond wood glue. Less is more. I run a fairly narrow glue bead and spread it around thinly, then lay the siding strip on and tape the lower edge. I stop every three or four rows and weight them down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thumblelina Posted May 10, 2021 Share Posted May 10, 2021 I too am trying to figure out best way to glue siding on with least amount of work. I tried wood glue and was very disappointed that it didn't take. And my hot glue didn't take either!! I'm going to try the quick grab glue. Can that just be glued only? I don't want to be putting weight on it to make it stick. thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mid-life madness Posted May 10, 2021 Share Posted May 10, 2021 (edited) @thumblelina Sometimes you have to get creative with clamps. I use clothes pins, bar clamps, or masking tape to hold siding in place. I like Aileen's turbo tacky, but you might still need to hold stuff in place. Are you able to the turn the house so the side you are working on is flat? That way you are not working against gravity? Also, try to do a few of the lower boards completely around the entire house so your corners meet consistently. Edited May 10, 2021 by Mid-life madness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalesq Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 I use E6000. Be sure to use it in a well ventilated area. You will need to tape the sheets in place, but it works well, and is easier to deal with than white glue for this purpose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 I use wood glue and tape, sometimes scrap wood and bar clamps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thumblelina Posted July 9, 2021 Share Posted July 9, 2021 I've been using the quick grab glue and had to succomb to using something to weigh it while drying, but it's been working!! And I am very happy as I move toward finishing. Then onto the shingles. Does anyone have any thoughts on shingles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiki1955 Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 I'm having a problem too, I'm just finishing the Garfield and getting ready to put on siding......can't weight it down as the house is almost complete. How on earth am I going to do this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mid-life madness Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 44 minutes ago, Kiki1955 said: I'm having a problem too, I'm just finishing the Garfield and getting ready to put on siding......can't weight it down as the house is almost complete. How on earth am I going to do this? Use the Aileen's turbo tacky glue and a a couple dots of hot glue to temporarily hold until the tacky glue dries completely. Sometimes you just have to get creative with clamps, clothespins etc.....It won't be done in one day. You will need to let sections dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 When I get around to building my Garfield I'm considering finishing the exterior with some combination of stonework (carving/ sculpting spackle or joint compound), brickwork (sandpaper bricks), stucco and shingles. The Garfield I have doesn't want clapboard siding anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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