Mike 1017 Posted September 30, 2022 Posted September 30, 2022 I have been having trouble with CA glue drying and clogging up in the tip. I clean the bottle threads, tip, and cap. Within a half hour the tip is clogged up. The bottle is about 1/3rd full. I tried putting a long pin into the cap and that did not help. Does CA have a shelf life? Thanks Mike
Dave Van Posted September 30, 2022 Posted September 30, 2022 CA has a pretty short life is not sealed perfect and kept in Fridge when not using. I use blue cap Gorilla Glue, it's cap seals and keeps the nozzle open. It lasts long enough I have used all the glue before it goes bad and it's sold every where! 1
stitchdup Posted September 30, 2022 Posted September 30, 2022 There must be air getting into the glue. i tend to keep one cap intact for swapping onto the glue thats in use and just swap it to the next each time, saving the opened caps for when in use
Mark Posted September 30, 2022 Posted September 30, 2022 Once you start using it, air is getting into the bottle. Every time it is used, there is less glue in there, leaving space for more air. I like the Loctite brand CA glue, the cap snaps on nice and tight. When the bottle gets about halfway to empty, the glue does start to thicken but is still usable for some time even in that form.
slusher Posted October 1, 2022 Posted October 1, 2022 6 hours ago, Dave Van said: CA has a pretty short life is not sealed perfect and kept in Fridge when not using. I use blue cap Gorilla Glue, it's cap seals and keeps the nozzle open. It lasts long enough I have used all the glue before it goes bad and it's sold every where! Does keeping it in the refrigerator extend it from hardening in the bottle if not open. I would like too keep an extra bottle?
Ace-Garageguy Posted October 1, 2022 Posted October 1, 2022 7 hours ago, Mark said: Once you start using it, air is getting into the bottle. Every time it is used, there is less glue in there, leaving space for more air. I like the Loctite brand CA glue, the cap snaps on nice and tight. When the bottle gets about halfway to empty, the glue does start to thicken but is still usable for some time even in that form. Zackly.
slusher Posted October 1, 2022 Posted October 1, 2022 1 hour ago, Dave Van said: The fridge will extend CA life....yes Thanks!,
StevenGuthmiller Posted October 1, 2022 Posted October 1, 2022 I’ve pretty much given up on CA glue in favor of MEK, (Plastic Weld) for bare plastic, and epoxy for everything else. I’ve never been particularly fond of working with CA anyway, so I’m glad that I don’t have to deal with it anymore. Steve
yh70 Posted October 1, 2022 Posted October 1, 2022 (edited) i been using CA's ever since the 80's. get u some of these tips that will fit right over your regular glue tip, then just sat your cap on it. they will stop up on the tip so just cut a little off & when it gets to big replace it with a new one. they real cheap. you can also get the replacement screw on caps for some CA's and all your other CA needs right on eBay..i been buying my glue, caps, tips, de-bonder & kicker their for years..https://www.ebay.com/itm/352065183832?hash=item51f8b86058:g:4hUAAOSwKOJYJQwX&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoEsT%2Fnw%2B2SyPGele3%2FyR0VV2JeCnIKBqGiMe3TlZCsW8p86UNWv9E9XOVM%2FVBaSHDktTJxlTG3WRGNBLRbo2vXHA124ZqQApht7gFrkDsT%2FbwBytvYURAoVwp%2FbXmIwJH4Dr%2Bw7eC4hD4iis%2FD6VRe9d0EWCUyhCCSJ1ObA5BOZqtCov7A%2BN3%2BVW4Uo2M85FTVqWa%2FtTJCtYhb4ro2IoCfg%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR6KB757yYA Edited October 1, 2022 by yh70
Dave G. Posted October 1, 2022 Posted October 1, 2022 For those speaking of CA thickening I just want to say that a little acetone will loosen it up. And it still works fine. I notice the Gorilla brand thickens easiest for whatever reason that may be. And the Locktite thin less so and Zap even less. I'm not here to explain why that might all be, it's just my experience. You may find too that acetone will clean up your caps and built up crust of dried CA on the bottles with some soaking. Acetone is the all round neutralizer of things gone wrong with CA.
Rick L Posted October 1, 2022 Posted October 1, 2022 It’s moisture in the air that kicks CA. So keeping it in a low humidity environment such as a refrigerator may be your best bet. Although I’ve never tried it, a ziplock bag may also help.
Mike 1017 Posted October 1, 2022 Author Posted October 1, 2022 Thanks for the info. I have been using Bob Smith CA there are a lot of good reviews. But had the same problems with it. Now that I am thinking about all the CA bottles have clogged up about 1 half to one 1 third empty. I bought a new bottle of CA house brand from Hobby Lobby yesterday. After the first time I use it will go into a zip lock and then into the fridge. Thanks Mike
gman Posted October 1, 2022 Posted October 1, 2022 I have been using Zap A Gap since the 80's, and swear by their CA+ and CA++ formulas. Yes, I keep them in the fridge, and yes I sometimes have glue set up inside the nozzle. I take a wooden tooth pick, clear the passage in the nozzle with it- very carefully, or I find I have a broken wooden toothpick sealing the bottle up permanently. When kept in the fridge tightly capped (it comes in a pill type container, with two caps inner/outer on the actual bottle) the Zap A Gap stays usable for years. 1
Dave G. Posted October 1, 2022 Posted October 1, 2022 2 minutes ago, gman said: I have been using Zap A Gap since the 80's, and swear by their CA+ and CA++ formulas. Yes, I keep them in the fridge, and yes I sometimes have glue set up inside the nozzle. I take a wooden tooth pick, clear the passage in the nozzle with it- very carefully, or I find I have a broken wooden toothpick sealing the bottle up permanently. When kept in the fridge tightly capped (it comes in a pill type container, with two caps inner/outer on the actual bottle) the Zap A Gap stays usable for years. As I mentioned in my other message I too have had good luck with Zap holding up well in the bottle. No complaints, have liked it above other brands for years. I go through a bottle of others here and there but come back to Zap, both gap filling and the thin stuff.
Bills72sj Posted October 2, 2022 Posted October 2, 2022 I have had good luck sticking in a stainless steel hat pin in the top the capping that. It does thicken as it runs low but I just buy a new one. The other option is to build more kits faster.
Mark Posted October 2, 2022 Posted October 2, 2022 4 hours ago, Bills72sj said: The other option is to build more kits faster. Heresy! 1
Rocking Rodney Rat Posted October 2, 2022 Posted October 2, 2022 I live the the sub-tropics and work in a garage that is usually around 90+ degrees once the wall A/C unit I have is turned off. I do believe the heat and humidity (and stupidity) of being in this environment causes the gloo to go bad quickly. I have started using the small tube of Krazy Glue: https://www.amazon.com/Krazy-Glue-KG58548R-Instant-0-07-Ounce/dp/B001CNZJA0/ref=asc_df_B001CNZJA0/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167121201241&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14516230393497811543&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9011866&hvtargid=pla-305625056860&psc=1 These small tubes don't have a long enough shelf-life to go bad. I usually buy them by the dozen (on eBay)....I have found this stuff to work as well as any other CA gloo I have used... My $.02 and worth both pennies... -RRR 1
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