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I have noticed before that the UV hardening glue seems to have a shelf life. After a month or two, the resin does not seem to harden as well as when it was fresh. Because it is not inexpensive, this is disturbing.
Working on a model yesterday I had an idea. When I glue in some windows inside a fuselage, indeed a could press a toothpick into the hardened resin. It was a bright sunny day, and I knew there is a lot of UV in sunlight on a day like that. I sat the fuselage sides out in the sunlight for 45 minutes. When I brought them inside the resin was as hard as a rock! I may be about to get another month or two out of that package- I only use it for windows, canopies and light lenses.
Don Stauffer in Minnesota
Don
You've praised the system in the past. Would you still recommend it?
jeffpez Don You've praised the system in the past. Would you still recommend it?
Yep. It is great if you use it up fast. Now, with this trick, I can use it longer, maybe use up all the resin that comes with it. Used it again today, and I think it is almost empty. I had some health problems first of year, so modeling is slow. Anyway today it was a bit soft after lasing- I could make a dent in the cement if I pressed my fingernail hard into it. However, left it in sun again for about forty minutes- hard as a rock.
Only things you have to watch is that the glue needs to be visible. The UV light cannot go through the transparent plastic. So, on an airliner you cannot put glue gobs on fuselage and stick the glue between the windows and shine the laser through the plastic. And be sure the laser is off when you are done. The switches are flaky and will turn on when you place the thing back in its package.
A question and some thoughts. Can you use this gluw with clear plastic without fogging it?
The resin would propbably be best stored cool like in a refrigerator and in absolute darkness.
rob44 A question and some thoughts. Can you use this gluw with clear plastic without fogging it? The resin would propbably be best stored cool like in a refrigerator and in absolute darkness.
My wife keeps the fridge so full there is no room for my modeling stuff. I half suspect that is why she keeps it so full. My understanding is that coolness does improve shelf life. On the other hand, my shop is now around sixty degrees. It will warm up later in summer.
And yes, it will not fog the plastic. That is why I am willing to spend a bit more for it. And, I like the unlimited working time- I can just take as long as I need to get the best fit, then zap it.
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