Superglue Activator

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I bought some Pattex superglue from Lidl which came with an activator in a felt pen format. This was for joining 3D prints which often won't 'grab' quickly. Unfortunately the felt pens didn't make it easy to apply enough activator and have both disappeared!

The cat managed to split my Tyrannosaurus skeleton's spine in two (Mammal 1, Dinosaurs 0), breaking the joining peg and the large contact surface wasn't very flat.

I went hunting for my steplad's mitre bond activator, but couldn't find it. As invention is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration I was inspired to try Sure 'motionsense' 'Invisible Ice Fresh' anti-perspirant. I have no idea which of the active ingredients (Disteardimonium Hectorite?!$) do the job, but it worked brilliantly, spray on one surface, god blob of superglue on the other and an almost instant bond. I then 'injected' extra adhesive into the gaps and sprayed on some more which also gave me an instant set.

Excellent result and my Tyrannosaurus doesn't have any problems with personal freshness either.

Neil

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

[Michael Cox 1Participant @michaelcox1]

Cyanoacrylate adhesive set by reaction with water. Normally this is provided by the humidity in the atmosphere. To encourage rapid setting just breath on the parts before and after application of the adhesive and then press them together. Most cosmetic spays contain some water so will function as activators.

Mike

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I haven't had any success with 'breathing' and dampening parts tends to leave poor adhesion. There is 'aqua' in this spray but very little (right down the contents list). Activators use amines and hydrocarbons, I suspect it's the clay minerals in the spray. Anyway, it works!

Neil

[RobboParticipant @robbo]

Neil

Given the perceived age of a lot of contributors, would Old Spice work?

[charadamParticipant @charadam]

Isn't this what was discussed in " Cyanoacrylate and Quicklime" a few days ago?

[Jon GibbsParticipant @jongibbs59756]

Sodium bicarb works for extreme gap filling. Crushed up small the superglue sets hard as it fills the matrix of crystals. Good for sloppy joints.

Spit works well too when the accelerator is too far away of course.

The advantage of the quality accelerators is that they don't turn the superglue white and opaque. It stays clear. I use zapit.

HTH

Jon

[HacksawParticipant @hacksaw]

breathe cigarette smoke on it ..

[mark costello 1Participant @markcostello1]

Will His little Pet get lung cancer from the smoke?

[MWParticipant @mw27036]

Posted by Hacksaw on 05/07/2017 13:51:48:

breathe cigarette smoke on it ..

I hate to disagree with you but I think it's not the sort of habit we should be recommending!

Michael W

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by charadam on 05/07/2017 00:36:36:

Isn't this what was discussed in " Cyanoacrylate and Quicklime" a few days ago?

Nay, that was about fillers, this is activators. That said, Apparently it is alkalinity that helps (which would explain why quicklime works).

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