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Accelerator

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  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: Toledo Area OH
Accelerator
Posted by Sparrowhyperion on Monday, December 27, 2010 11:44 AM

Well, after being fed up with holding parts together for 20 minutes for CA glue to completely set up in bad joints, I want to get some accelerator, but I have never used it before.  I have a couple of questions I hope someone can help me with.

1.  I see large differences between generic accelerator and the more well known brands like Zip Kicker etc.  Is there really any difference between them.  I can get a 2oz. spray pump with an 8oz. refill bottle of the generic stuff for like $15.  Or I can get a 2oz. spray of zip kicker for close to the same price.  Is it worth the difference?

2.  Spray vs. Aerosol.  I see the stuff coming in both as well as drops.  Which works best.  Aerosol seems a bit wasteful to me but I am not sure about the evenness of spray bottle or drops.   Which works better?

I want something that can speed it up to 5-10 seconds cure time if possible.

Thanks for any info.

Rich

In the Hangar: 1/48 Hobby Boss F/A-18D RAAF Hornet,

On the Tarmac:  F4U-1D RNZAF Corsair 1/48 Scale.

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Indiana
Posted by hkshooter on Monday, December 27, 2010 1:20 PM

My experience.
It don't last. I've used the small brown bottle typically found in hobby shops, don't remember the brand but it usually has the shops lable on it and comes with a spray top.

I've found that after a few months the stuff don't work any longer. For whatever reason it seems to slow in it's reaction then quit all together. So I switched.

To Zip Kicker. And it works like a champ. BUT.
It evaporates magically through the bottle. I bought it about a year and a half ago, have used only maybe 3/4 ounce and the bottle is almost empty. Typically I decant the stuff into a needle applicator bottle that gets capped up when not in use. That little bottle only holds about 1/4 ounce and in a month it's empty, even if I only use a few drops.

If you have long set times with your CA it may be time to renew it. The stuff don't last forever and I've found that as it ages it's set time slows, finally to the point of not setting at all, with or without accel.
I like accel and use it most of the time when I'm using CA.
If your CA is fresh and your accel is new that 10 to 15 second wait time you are looking for ain't gonna happen. It's instant, so be sure things are where you want them before applying.

About the sprayer. I don't like them. I like a drop or two right where my work is, not all over evrything in sight. A drop of the accel will creep along your CA so don't worry about uneven application.

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: Toledo Area OH
Posted by Sparrowhyperion on Monday, December 27, 2010 2:05 PM

hkshooter

My experience.
It don't last. I've used the small brown bottle typically found in hobby shops, don't remember the brand but it usually has the shops lable on it and comes with a spray top.

I've found that after a few months the stuff don't work any longer. For whatever reason it seems to slow in it's reaction then quit all together. So I switched.

To Zip Kicker. And it works like a champ. BUT.
It evaporates magically through the bottle. I bought it about a year and a half ago, have used only maybe 3/4 ounce and the bottle is almost empty. Typically I decant the stuff into a needle applicator bottle that gets capped up when not in use. That little bottle only holds about 1/4 ounce and in a month it's empty, even if I only use a few drops.

If you have long set times with your CA it may be time to renew it. The stuff don't last forever and I've found that as it ages it's set time slows, finally to the point of not setting at all, with or without accel.
I like accel and use it most of the time when I'm using CA.
If your CA is fresh and your accel is new that 10 to 15 second wait time you are looking for ain't gonna happen. It's instant, so be sure things are where you want them before applying.

About the sprayer. I don't like them. I like a drop or two right where my work is, not all over evrything in sight. A drop of the accel will creep along your CA so don't worry about uneven application.

Okay soit's probably a good idea to stick with drops and only buy in small quantities then?

Rich

In the Hangar: 1/48 Hobby Boss F/A-18D RAAF Hornet,

On the Tarmac:  F4U-1D RNZAF Corsair 1/48 Scale.

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Indiana
Posted by hkshooter on Monday, December 27, 2010 5:37 PM

Yeah, I buy it in the smallest amounts I can and only use it by the drop. I think Flexi-file makes a small needle applicator bottle I'd recomend for application. I think it's the same one I use.

 

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Indiana
Posted by hkshooter on Monday, December 27, 2010 5:39 PM

http://www.flex-i-file.com/adhesives.php

About half way down the page.

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: Toledo Area OH
Posted by Sparrowhyperion on Monday, December 27, 2010 6:22 PM

Thanks.  I'll see if I can snag some.

In the Hangar: 1/48 Hobby Boss F/A-18D RAAF Hornet,

On the Tarmac:  F4U-1D RNZAF Corsair 1/48 Scale.

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