I know this has been discussed several times before, but I have an observation that seems to vary from what I have read here in the past. I have continually read that CA, once opened, lasts only a few to 6 months. I have a bottle of Bob Smith CA Medium Gel that I opened in February of 2018. I used it the other day and it still works. So my question is, is the shelf life issue concerning the holding power, the setting time, yet some other factor, or any/all of the above? Thnx all.
Pretty much the only super glue I use is Loctite Gel-Control. I have found tubes that I know were pretty old now and again, and none of them have ever been bad.
I know in the 1980s when super glues were new, and expensive, we were told to keep them in the refrigerator. I haven't heard such a thing in decades.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Yeah,I still keep mine in our extra fridge in the layout room
Yeah, I still keep mine in our extra fridge in the layout room.
I kept mine in the beer fridge in the basement. I did that for a while, but eventually I realized that it was most important to practice good "glue hygiene" and make sure to wipe the spout and put the cap on tightly after use.
The other trick was only to buy small bottles. That way I could use it up before it dried up, and make another trip to the LHS.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I also only use Loctite Super Glues although about a year I bought some medium set at Hobby Lobby that is great. Can't remember the brand but has a green label. I started about 8 years ago keeping them in a plastic tube that has an insulated lid with a silica cartridge from a medicine bottle. They now do not dry out or change viscosity at all no matter what the weather does.
SB
I don't use ca a great deal (affixing grabirons and sill steps is my usual need for it) so use plain-old Krazy Glue. It does what need it to do, and doesn't cost all that much. A tube usually last for a year-or-so, but, of course, it depends on the projects I'm doing. I have had a couple that crapped-out in less than a month, but over-all, it fits my needs and budget.
Wayne