glues, fillers and paints

Hi modelers,

Being in my seventies, the work on my 1:1 scale cars is getting tougher on the old body. Think I need to downsize to 1:25. I haven't built model cars for some years. I'd like some suggestions that get me up to date on the technology of newer glues, fillers and paints.

Glues: As I recall, using the original glue, the plastic was somewhat softened upon glue contact. Memory says that the glue seams remained a bit soft for some time, making sanding difficult because it would gum up. I think that was the old styrene glue? Is super glue a good idea? Does it melt the plastic and remain soft or does it dry hard and sandable? The reason for this question is that I want to make glue seams as smooth as possible.

Fillers: Any recommendations for fillers that sand fairly easily and also are dense enough to not absorb primer and paint, but rather stay smooth and leaves the same solid surface similar plastic itself. I remember using Plastic Wood in the sixties and it soaked up the paint. Had to paint-fill a few times to eliminate the rough areas.

Paints: I used the spray paints of the time. Testors is the only brand I remember. Are any of the new sprays as good as the Testors? Better? Is air brushing the best way for nowadays or something else? Do some of the current lacquer model paints affect the plastic like automotive acrylic lacquer paints do? I remember the AMT lacquers from the sixties that did not bother the plastic. Both lacquers smelled different from each other.

I have several car kits to get started on. I also (occasionally) build a plastic airplane kit.

I have a plastic car kit rant that may appear in the near future.

Thanks for ideas.
Jerry in Denver