.
4.
SIG KWIK-SHOT CA ACCELERATOR
- While CA glues are faster curing than any other type of modeling glue, there
are still times when we wish we could make it cure "on command". That's where CA ACCELERATOR comes in! It's a
special liquid, that comes in a small spray bottle, that makes any type of CA glue set instantly on contact! CA
ACCELERATOR is sprayed onto the joint after the glue is applied and after the part is in final position. The
ACCELERATOR chemically reacts with the glue causing it to set immediately. ACCELERATOR is most often used with
MEDIUM or THICK CA - it should not be used on THIN CA (which cures almost instantly all by itself). Spray on the
ACCELERATOR sparingly! Too much can cause CA glue to react too rapidly and literally boil. This will result in a joint
with a chalky white color which is not nearly as strong as a normal joint.
5.
SIG CA DEBONDER
- A special chemical that softens and loosens dried CA glue so you can un-stick things you didn't
mean to glue together - like your fingers! Apply DEBONDER to the area and wait for the glue to soften. Don't rush it! It
may take 20 to 30 seconds of soaking to get your fingers back apart. For a thick buildup of glue, you may need several
applications of DEBONDER to remove it all..
MORE IDEAS ON USING CA GLUE
•
CURING TIME
- The cure times stated for CA glues normally refer to the amount of time it takes for the glue to cure to
the point where you can let go of the part and not have to worry about it moving. Even though CA glues reach that point
very fast, they are not actually fully cured for some time. The thicker the glue, the longer the total cure time. This is
especially true of MEDIUM or THICK CA that has been accelerated. The accelerator makes the glue cure on the surface
immediately, but total curing of the glue underneath the surface takes several minutes more. Try not to put any major
stress on the glue joint right after it is done. Even a few minutes will see a great increase in the strength of the joint.
•
CLEAN SURFACES
glue better! Any surface contamination reduces the strength of the bond. A quick swipe with
sandpaper will prepare most wood joints for a good bond.
•
DON'T MIX TYPES OF GLUE!
Don't "tack" a joint with CA and then go back and re-coat the joint with epoxy or water-
based glue - or vice versa. The different bonding mechanisms of these unrelated adhesive families, will interfere with
each other and a poor, heavy joint is the result. Use only one type of glue in each joint.
•
FOR ULTRA-QUICK ASSEMBLY
of two large pieces, where positioning is easy, try putting MEDIUM or THICK CA on
one of the parts, then spray ACCELERATOR directly onto the other part, and then mate the two parts quickly together.
This method can provide an instantaneous bond over a large area.
•
TO APPLY GLASS CLOTH
with CA glue, first spray a VERY LIGHT coat of 3M "77 Spray Adhesive" on the area of the
model where the glass cloth is to go. Lay the cloth down and work out all the wrinkles. The spray glue will hold it in place.
Apply THIN CA to the glass cloth, let soak in momentarily, and then quickly wipe off the excess with a rag (don't stop
moving the rag or it may become glued to the model).
•
STRONGER SCREW THREADS IN WOOD PARTS
- Tired of stripping out threaded wing bolt holes? Try soaking the
drilled hole with THIN CA before you tap the threads. Hit the hole with a spray of ACCELERATOR before you start the
tap to be sure the glue is cured. Tap the hole, re-soak the threads, spray again with ACCELERATOR, and re-tap the
hole. These threads will outlive the rest of the airframe.
•
EDGE JOINING SHEETS OF BALSA
- Layout a sheet of wax paper longer than the joint. Spray a wet coat of
ACCELERATOR on the wax paper where the seam will be. Lay the balsa sheets together over the sprayed area. While
holding the sheets together, lay a small bead of THIN CA on the joint. The ACCELERATOR on the waxed paper will keep
the THIN CA from running down the backside of the joint. This greatly reduces the sanding to get smooth joints.
•
FOR MOUNTING CANOPIES
with CA glue try this trick. Spray a fine line of ACCELERATOR along the inside bottom
edge of the canopy, position the canopy, and apply a thin bead of THICK CA to the outside of the seam. The THICK CA
will be drawn under the edge of the canopy slow enough that the ACCELERATOR triggers the cure before it actually gets
under the edge - no more fogging!!
•
WARNING TO PAINTERS!
On models that are to be painted, try not to use ACCELERATOR directly under any final
color coats, particularly with epoxy paints. Many color paints will show a stain from the accelerator. CA glue and
ACCELERATOR should be "buried" under a coat of good primer before the color coats are applied.