Will Zap Super Glue dry out?

justcrash · Post by **justcrash** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 1:32 pm

I ask because I have some that has had the lid on it, ctored in a cool, dry, dark place for a while now. When I go to use it, it acts like it is trying to come out, but doesn't move a whole lot.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 2:31 pm

Yes.

CA will oxidize without any help. I've had thin CA turn thick, and Gap Filling CA turn to putty.

big-dog · Post by **big-dog** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 9:15 am

Given how cheap glue is I get a new bottle of Soupey glue for every project. Works far better in the long run. One scratch build took so long, sumink like 600 hours, and I ended up getting 4 bottles of glue throughout the project, but at 3 or so bucks a bottle it aint a major expense.

publiusr · Post by **publiusr** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 1:20 pm

I have old bottles of the stuff. One bottle is stringing and filaments flyabout--real easy to get in your eye. I wonder what got in it.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 1:21 pm

The big problem with most CA glues are the bottles which are gas permiable. Air (& moisture) get in, glue goes funky.

justcrash · Post by **justcrash** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 1:27 pm

kylwell wrote:The big problem with most CA glues are the bottles which are gas permiable. Air (& moisture) get in, glue goes funky.

Hmmm... I wonder if placing it in an air tight freezer bag would help at all? I know glue is cheap, that isn't the issue. I am about an hour away from my LHS, so I have to go way out of my way now to get there. I do have a hobby lobby near me, but they don't carry Zap.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 1:30 pm

Airtight freezer bags aren't. Or at least just about every plastic bag I know of is gas permiable. The freezer bag would probably reduce the amount of moisture.

woozle · Post by **woozle** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 4:25 pm

My workbench has a shelf, in front of a window and I noticed that my Zap-a-gap started solidifying in a month... I heard that sunlight would do that, so I moved it down, to a shaded spot and the same bottle has been squishy for about a year.

Chacal · Post by **Chacal** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 7:26 pm

kylwell wrote:Airtight freezer bags aren't. Or at least just about every plastic bag I know of is gas permiable. The freezer bag would probably reduce the amount of moisture.

How about putting the bottle inside a glass bottle with a tight screw lid? Maybe with a packet of silica gel to curb moisture.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 7:48 pm

Well at some point it becomes moot. Glass, airtight lid, silica pack will all help but it's still a 4 dollar item. What irritates me the most is it being dry just when you need it.

davehal9000 · Post by **davehal9000** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 10:41 pm

I almost bought some during my last trip to my favorite hobby shop, but every bottle was as hard as a rock.

shrugger · Post by **shrugger** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 11:07 pm

Now that sucks! Luckily my LHS sells enough that they have new stock
every couple months.

caveslug · Post by **caveslug** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 11:20 pm

I take a little peice of modeling clay and stick it on the tip of the bottle.
Will help it last alot longer then just the cap that comes with it.

haywire · Post by **haywire** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 9:47 am

Put it in your refridgerator. I'm serious.

You should do the same with any 2 part epoxy.

big-dog · Post by **big-dog** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 8:39 am

Not tried Zap, have used Flash, similar hobby-type super glue. You know Loc-tite Quick-tite super glue is pretty well the same, every bit as good. The thick gel is like treacle. You can get it from WalMart.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 9:27 am

haywire wrote:Put it in your refridgerator. I'm serious.

You should do the same with any 2 part epoxy.

You're not the first person I've heard that from and by all accounts it works. Guessing it slows the chemical reaction.

scanam2005 · Post by **scanam2005** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:20 pm

Placing super glue in the refrigerator definitely helps. I also try to buy the smaller size bottles rather than the large ones. It is difficult to keep super glue for longer than a year even under perfect conditions.

sci-fi-bldr · Post by **sci-fi-bldr** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 11:07 pm

Yep....I've had it dry out.....and even seem to loose it's strenght..I wonder sometimes whats the lasting power in the long term for CA's??....anyone know....I use them alot in my building...do I have to look forward to parts flying off in the future??..

DX-SFX · Post by **DX-SFX** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 4:51 am

Even if you can keep it liquid, as it ages it loses it's strength and will be brittle when it sets. It's a false economy being cheap about it.

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Will Zap Super Glue dry out?

Will Zap Super Glue dry out?

Refrigerating super glue