preserving CA cement

That's the key Tony. Airtight. Unfortunately that's the problem with it. Once it's open and exposed to air...it's time is limited. I have had un-opened bottles turn rock hard before too. (it fell behind the desk) Even the exposure it gets in packaging is enough to do it in over time.

The trick is to build so many models that you never stop glueing

Eric

To stop the applicator top from clogging up with dried CA glue, apply a touch of liquip poly glue to the tip after each use.

You're talking about a liquid modeling cement like Testors, Djmodels?

It's nice to know I'm not the only one that has trouble with super glue drying up in the tube. (I always have a spare new tube handy for just such an emergency.)

While we're on the subject, how do you keep excess super glue from oozing out of the tube after you squeeze out just the right amount onto your dispenser? In my experience, thick-gel super glue is especially prone to continuing to pour out of the tube after I squeezed out all I need. The last time I used thick-gel super glue, all I needed was a drop or two for a liftgate hinge. I squeezed gently, but the tube continued to POUR glue all over the place, and all I could think of to do (tapping the tube, holding the tube upright, blowing down into the opening) didn't work. I was even frantically hollering at the glue, "STOP ALREADY!" (This was akin to yelling at the TV when your favorite football team screws up, and it worked about as well.) Needless to say, the glue wouldn't stop coming until about half of it was wasted. Question: How do you make it stop before I have to relegate half the stuff to the trash?

To address Jim Barton's problem: One way to avoid that problem is to hold the tube upright when you squeeze out a dollop of cement. You will get displaced air out first, then the glue. Squeeze that tube gently! When you stop the squeeze, that should stop the glue flow, because outside air will want to get back in the tube to equalize atmospheric pressure and will force the cement to retreat into the tube. Another solution is Testor's glue in the small black plastic bottle. For CA (super glue), see my solution above. The stuff in those little bottles is still ok, but more testing time is needed before commencing unrestrained rejoicing throughout the realm.
Tony Ryan

Damn, you guys have jinxed me - my bottle of Zap-a-Gap was fine yesterday, and now guess what??

Thanks, Tonyryan; I'll have to try that next time I use the thick-gel stuff. (Incidentally, I don't usually have that much trouble with the thin stuff, although I've had it dry in the tube and on occasion I have to "fight" with it to make it stick.)

Yes, the Testors liquid cement might well work. Mine is a mix of Revell's, Humbrol's and something else very liquid, very similar, that I purchase at the local hobby train shop.

I used to have that problem too with tubes and I've just given up on those. I only use CA in bottles now. SO much easier!

And to keep your superglue on longer term storage, place it in the fridge (away from the kids!).

Domi