Cyanoacrylates (CA) adhsive bottles - problems

[GerFust]

This is one of those stupid questions that probably has an obvious answer. I've been having problems with CA bottles getting a clogged tip between uses. To add insult to injury, my current bottle's cap became adhered to the tip. I've used less than 50 cents of a $4.00 bottle, and might have to pitch the rest.

How do you manage CA so that the dispenser bottle remains useful for the life of the product?

Thanks,
Jer

[Anonymous]

I don't know if this will help, but my wife stores her CA in the freezer. It doesn't take too long to thaw, less than 5 minutes or so.

If you let any moisture come in contact with the CA, it acts as a catalyst to start the hardening process. I've gone so far as to take a small drill in my pin-vise and drill out an opening in the spout.

I don't know of anything that will free up a stuck cap.

[Anonymous]

Stuck cap may come off with a bit of convincing with pliers or vice grips... I have unplugged dried bottles with a pin. One other note - put a bit of CA on tinfoil, and clean and close the bottle immediately. This should prevent most of the problem. Dispensing glue right from the bottle usually leads to 1) too much glue on the model, and 2) messed up bottle caps/tips.

Andrew

[Anonymous]

If you keep the tip clean by wiping it after using it this will help. Keeping it in the fridge will also help it as well.

[Anonymous]

I have used de-solve (solvent for CA) to get caps off before. Best advice for maintenance is from masonjar. I do the same, by putting a few drops of glue on tinfoil, (or honestly on my TV Tray table directly,) then use a dental pic to place just what I need on my model. It really cleans up the look of your models.

[GerFust]

Thanks guys!

[Anonymous]

Best applicatior I've found for CA or plastic glue is to use the eye end of a larger gauge needle. Clip it so one prong is longer than the other and spread to make a "Y". Dip in the CA/glue and flow the adhesive onto the seam to be glued. If the applicator becomes clogged heat with a flame or soldering iron and remove clog with fine grit sand paper.

Randy

[Seamonster]

I had the tip cap get stuck on a bottle of CA glue and not being willing to throw out all that money, I just unscrew the entire lid from the bottle and dip into it with a toothpick. Usually I squirt a little out into a puddle and dip into that. It takes a very long time for the puddle to harden. I wipe the tip with a rag and rap the bottle on the table a couple of times in the upright position to knock the glue back down, keeping the rag over the top just in case some splashes up. Even doing all these things, eventually the tip is going to clog. I've never been able to use up every drop of ACC in a bottle yet.
...Bob

[Anonymous]

If you use long needle type applicator, filling the whole thing with de-donder should work. If needed, I also put a long needle in the applicator.

[cacole]

Refrigeration and freezing are things I have never heard before about CA, and will try that. I have always stored it in an airtight glass jar stuffed with those little dessicant packages that come in some electronics items. I have seen those little dessicant packages for sale locally, but don't remember if it was Wal-mart or K-mart that had them.

[Anonymous]

stick a thumbtack or a small pin or track nail into the tip after you have small amount for current need i have done this for yrs and havnt lost/tossed a bottle yet if it gets stuck dont worry doesnt take much to break it free again dont worry bout it drying out ethier pin acts as a stopper so no more [censored][censored][censored] about stuck glued on caps now as far as refridgeration?? Hmmm.. thats a new one to me but hell if it works why not?

hope this helps ya

Regards

Larry

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cacole

Refrigeration and freezing are things I have never heard before about CA, and will try that. I have always stored it in an airtight glass jar stuffed with those little dessicant packages that come in some electronics items. I have seen those little dessicant packages for sale locally, but don't remember if it was Wal-mart or K-mart that had them.

Refrigeration and freezing both work to dehydrate whatever is being chilled. That's why a steak will be freezer-burned after a few months [}:)] or if you freeze bread, why it forms frost around the bread.

I was reading in one of the MR questions and answers columns for January (I think), and found that CA is actually helped along by moisture. That's why it doesn't work too well on styrene, but seems to work just fine on your fingers...

[mls1621]

I got the refrigerator tip from my Hobby Shop. They store all their AC in the frig to keep it fresh. I buy larger bottles now, it's cheaper and now I get full use from the bottle.

The best solution I've found for the clogged cap is not to use it. I pour a small amount of CA on a scrap piece of plastic sheet and apply it with a tooth pick. It works great this way and I can control the amount applied more easily.

If you still want to use the bottle to apply it, cut the tip back farther, creating a larger opening. There are disposable tips available, that slip over the the one on the bottle. They come five to a package and should be available at your local Hobby Shop.

I hope this is helpful.

[Anonymous]

From http://cuecomponents.com/cyad.html, Notice it says heat and moisture degrade the product, hence refrigerating is good. notice also they tell you how to avoid a clogged nozzle as well.

"How To Use Cyanoacrylates

Heat and moisture will decrease the shelf life of CAs. Unopened bottles can be stored in a freezer or refrigerator, but allow them to reach room temperature before using. Keep your bottles in a cool place that won’t be exposed to direct sunlight and store away from bottles of accelerators. Due to the freshness of our CAs, their shelf life is guaranteed for 24 months.

For the initial opening of the top, loosen and retighten the top first to relieve internal pressure, then hold the bottle against a near vertical surface and cut off the top 1/32" with a knife or razor blade without squeezing the bottle. To prevent clogging, do not let the tip of the nozzle touch a surface that has been sprayed with any Accelerator. Before replacing the colored cap, set the bottle down hard to knock the remaining CA back into the bottle before squeezing it in an upright position to blow air through the nozzle, then wipe the tip clean.

With all CAs, the closer the parts fit together, the stronger the bond. Always hold the bonding surfaces together as tightly as possible. Any rough spots on the mating surfaces should be smoothed out. Although CAs will hold objects together with considerable strength within seconds, the full strength of the bond is not reached for several hours. Allow for this before subjecting parts to maximum stress. Also, CAs are generally a little less brittle and have higher strength when they are allowed to cure on their own. "

Jay

PS. yes i know the above quoted site is for pool cue makers, but the CA is the same stuff some of us use. [:p]

[der5997]

Maritimes Hobbies in Halifax gave me this tip about tips that they got from the local arts college students. After each use, that is each and every application, rap the bottle on the table (work bench) so that the liquid goes down the tube again. They store in the fridge too. A piece of velcro on the bottle and the inside of the fridge door keeps everything out of the way, and from slipping out when the fridge is opened.

[Anonymous]

I purchase ACC in the largest (8 oz) bottle I can get at my LHS. I dispose of the factory cap and replace it with a standard cap. When I want to use it, I remove the cap and move some of the ACC from the bottle to a piece of wax paper using an eyedropper. The opening in the eyedropper is large enough that the glue will not fill and clog it. I use various sized needles in wooden handles, similar to those shown in "Ten Cool Tools", MR, February, 2004, to apply the adhesive. I store my ACC at 60 degrees give or take a degree. I have no problem with this system, and always get full use of the entire bottle. I do not represent this to be the end-all solution, but it does work for me.

Tom

[Anonymous]

I was using a lot of CA on my gaps in my tracks, styrene and CA together make a good insulated joint. What is used was my drill with a small bit to drill a new hole into the plugged top. It took all of about 15 seconds. I wanted a the CA to seep into the joints so I used it straight out of the squeeze bottle.

[AltonFan]

QUOTE: I have always stored it in an airtight glass jar stuffed with those little dessicant packages that come in some electronics items. I have seen those little dessicant packages for sale locally, but don't remember if it was Wal-mart or K-mart that had them.

You can buy silica gel (the material inside those dessicant packages) from craft stores such as Hobby Lobby or Michael's. I store my CA in a pickle jar filled about 1/3 way with silica gel crystals. While I don't refrigerate mine, I do try to keep it in a cool, dry place.