How to thin CA glue?

Alex Dumas · Post by **Alex Dumas** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 9:57 am

My 'thin' CA glue is getting thicker after a few weeks. Is there a way to thin it back? Acetone, water, alcohol, nail remover?

Post by **TER-OR** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 10:51 am

With a thinner CA....

I've never tried any solvent, but I'd be wary of acetone.

Alex Dumas · Post by **Alex Dumas** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 1:33 pm

Unfortunately, I won't have my Zap Thin CA untill a few days but I have a thicker CA left...

I have heard that water or alcohol can be used to thin CA but somehow I am septical. I guess I will try a few things and see for myself.

The real reason why I need very thin CA glue is because I want to apply it as a sealer onto a tacky resin spot that as not fully cured on my model (the primer just wont adhere and stays wet...) Any alternative is more than welcome.

Lt. Z0mBe · Post by **Lt. Z0mBe** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 3:20 pm

Moisture is the catalyst for CA, so water is out. Drop a drop in a glass of water, and you'll see it cures so quick it forms a CA "bubble" full of glue inside.

Dunno about any types of alcohol; the stuff is is basically fast RTV acrylic plastic.

You mention needing to take care of a "Tacky" resin spot. What about applying a drop of CA over the area and dropping a lump of baking soda on it? Sand immediately and see if that floats your boat.

I would try acetone, methylene chloride, nitromethane, or MEK. Those are solvents for some types of CA. They soften up a lot of plastics, but too much may keep the CA from curing.

Kenny

photoguy · Post by **photoguy** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 5:35 pm

Buy smaller bottles of CA.

Alcohol works pretty well for Epoxy, but I don't think it does anything for CA.

Alvis 3.1 · Post by **Alvis 3.1** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 6:43 pm

I don't know of anything to thin CA, and wouldn't experiment on a model unless you're really in a hurry. Rushing, for me, usually leads to disaster, removal of large areas of a model, or such a total mess it can be unsalvagable. I'd wait if possible, it's your most safe answer.

Alvis 3.1

Stu Pidasso · Post by **Stu Pidasso** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 7:25 pm

Alex Dumas wrote:The real reason why I need very thin CA glue is because I want to apply it as a sealer onto a tacky resin spot that as not fully cured on my model (the primer just wont adhere and stays wet...) Any alternative is more than welcome.

Is it a part that someone can make a good copy for you, or is it a "main hull" kind of thing? PM me if you need some help...

Alex Dumas · Post by **Alex Dumas** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 9:29 pm

Stu Pidasso wrote: Is it a part that someone can make a good copy for you, or is it a "main hull" kind of thing? PM me if you need some help...

Thanks for the offer! It's actually a part I have mastered and cast myself. I am trying to save a sub-assembly with quite a few parts in it ...in which one as a subtle tacky spot along its seem line.

HOWEVER, I might have nailed it! I applied a small coat of Wave Black CA and lightly sanded the area without removing too much CA (the glue seems to have melted and solidified with the tacky spot...) I just applied a new coat of primer and it seems to work. I will wait till tomorrow morning to be sure though

And thanks to all for your advices!

Post by **TER-OR** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 9:38 pm

WAVE black CA is truly ambrosia. I thin it with super-thin CA for this kind of coating, it's just amazing.

Remember you can get thin CA at hardware stores too, in little "Krazy Glue" tubes, if you just need a little for thinning it might be enough.

Alex Dumas · Post by **Alex Dumas** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:41 am

I confirm that WAVE Black CA worked perfectly last night (no tacky spot anymore!)

So forget about everything else and go get a bottle of that glue!!! I have been using it for a while now as a glue and filler (it sands pretty well contrary to other CA glue). Fantastic product!

SSM store has it (or used to) if I am not mistake.