C.A. - Superglue - A Discovery
Hi Ya'll;
Last night in a discussion with my son, we talked about The Forums and how many of you have downplayed C.A. as a cement for clear parts. Why? Well, here's the answer and it will surprise you. First off, and most importantly, How and in what pattern do you apply the glue and what type do you use?
Here's where it gets a wee bit technical. Most everybody knows of Bob Smith industries and their product, which can be found behind Hobby Shop Labels all over the country Maybe even the world! The base type being their Thin. Then, there's Extra Thin and Extra Thick. Nowadays, in the hobby shops you will also find carded products that are the same, or the Best for Clear which is the Gel types put out by Everybody and their Grandma!
Okay, we've made that point. Now, you will say, "Is he Crazy? You Cannot use Super Glue on clear parts." Oh, Yes you can!! How many times do all modelers have to be told" Don't use to much glue on a part". I guess that's something, even with the long time builders that didn't sink in with THIS product! Think about it. Do you use a glue applicator like the ones sold by Micro-Mark, Joe Blow, or Whoever? Do you make your own? Makes no difference even if you use the predominent Toothpick that's either Plastic or Wood.
Do you apply a nice almost invisible bead of the stuff? WRONG!!! Do you put the parts together and let capillary action spread the glue? WRONG!!! Remember, we are talking about CLEAR parts here! First off the liquid C.A. is THE WRONG TYPE to use. I started using the stuff Way back when the only place you could even obtain C.A. was at hardware outlets. Then everyone jumped on the Bandwagon after the T.V. ad with the guy hanging from a fork on a forklift with his hardhat!
No one does that. Why would we want to glue a human to anything? The Hat! That was the sales gimmick! Now, let's get back to the roots of the missive, Clear Parts, and Super Glue. Here's what I learned in 65 years in the Hobby, Never bet on a sure thing, You will fall off the bridge! Gel Superglue, kinda sad we can't get it in larger containers, but then again what is it's shelf life? I haven't had anyone be able to tell me that. All I get is "Well, If it been opened, I Dunno" See. It's still a mystery.
Okay, Mystery no more. Those little tubes if closed securely, will last about a month! Here's the way for doing clear parts, Here's the secret. (.......) see those little dots in the parenthesis? That's your clue. Take a canopy, put a gel dot that size on the center front of your one piece canopy and if the plane is a Razorback style put a dot at each corner at the lower rear. If it's a "Bubble" canopy one dot on both sides and on both ends if one piece. DO NOT use accelerator at any point in this step! That stuff makes the C.A. either very angry and HOT or a little known thing, It may neutralize the curing time to way too long. Those three or four dots will insure a good bond. Hold the part in place for about a minute." Bob's Yer Uncle" as the Brits or Aussies say!
Okay here's my secret exposed for everybody out there. I do not use ANY offbrand C.A. I also don't overapply it. Pressure generates heat. Heat triggers the curing of the super glue between two surfaces. The teensy bit I use does Not fog the clear. Why? Simple, Using the three little beads I have left a gap for the Glue to vent, gently close to it's location. I then come back with Aleens Sticky Glue or Elmers carpenters glue to fill any gaps. Your wee dots should NOT be visible past the Canopy framing anywhere!
See,? I told you it was easy. Remember most of all, No Off Brands and the Wee Teensy dots! That's your secret! It is Not necessary to use a bead lengthwise anywhere near a clear part anyway. Happy Clearpartin!! You don't even need to use it in Capillary action for anything. One dot, each side of your surface or one in the middle and let set. Return with the thicker liquid STYRENE glue in Capillary action to further bond the pieces. VERY IMPORTANT--Remember C.A. is a SURFACE adhesive. It does Not affect the material you are building with unless it is a porous Material! Model On!