Sometime super glue is not so super

Oh yeah it's unpredictable.

Bad: old.

Hard to use: gel.

OK: runny thin.

That's happened to me with the cheap stuff. I bought the "Gorilla Glue" brand and that stuff is excellent. The only superglue I buy now.

My experience is that "thin" super glue cures much faster than "gell" super glue. 

I'll have to try the lacqure thinner suggestion next time I use super glue. Sounds interesting.

Hello Frank!

I remember having similar experience when I started using super glue about 30 years ago. It takes practice when it comes to applying that stuff and prepping the surfaces to be glued. I'd like to offer some advice - maybe it will help you and others. First, like my dentist told me once - the glue holds the best when it isn't there - funny saying but there's something to it. In case of super glue it's good to have the parts interlock some way before glueing them, so they hold "themselves" in place until the glue dries. Then, the less glue there is in the joint, the faster it polymerizes and the stronger the joint is. Because of that it might be worth a try to wick some glue away from the joint with some tissue - but be careful, when you mix super glue and cotton the mix gets so hot that it might even catch fire.

Second thing, that was a game changer for me was the observation, that the lacquer thinner I was using for styrene glue also makes super glue dry faster and stronger. Since I observed that I'm always moistening the surfaces to be glued with lacquer thinner. At least this cleans those surfeces, but I have a feeling that there's also some kind of favorable chemical reaction. My lacquer thiner has xylene and butyl acetate in it.

I hope it helps you - good luck with your builds and have a nice day

Paweł

Hi;

    One thing I have found is this. Super Glue( Cyanoacrylate) can do this if it is super old. Remember too, many Warehouses and transport vehicles do not air condition what they store or carry. This also affects the stuff. It doesn't like to be in temperatures below 32degrees or higher the 100 degrees.

      Also if it is Direct Sunlight for any amount of time it has failed on me . I keep mine in a cool dark place when I am not using it.  Note;

     These glues do a great job on skin to skin contact. That's what they were originally intended for. Medical use proved they're efficacy! My replacement Ticker-Trainer opening was closed with that stuff. Worked great too!

Yes, any type of glue will fail under the right conditions.  Some, especially old kits, have too much mold release on them.  The plastic must be thoroughly clean.  If gluing painted parts, the paint must be remove.  The gel stuff takes several minutes to even set, and longer to be completely hard.  I keep CA (superglue) accelerator on hand to speed up the process.  I find my fingers cramp up if I hold the part before completely set.