How Do You Seal Superglue Containers?

ddavelarsen

ddavelarsen

Joined
Dec 7, 2000
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5,179
You all know the drill: Use that little tube of superglue a couple of times and it becomes impossible to reopen. Not so big a deal with little tubes but I recently bought a 2 oz bottle of the stuff and now I'm thinking, How am I going to keep that little openning clear?

How do you do it? Or do you? :D
 
I've never dealt with bottles of super glue before but on the small tubes I wipe the nozzle clean after use so there is nothing to stick to the lid.
 
Dave,
You want the nozzle as clean and clear of glue as possible.
Do not touch the nozzle to anything when gluing, or after gluing, as it will pick up contaminants that will cause the glue to cure.
To keep the glue from wicking up the nozzle when you are done, and leave the nozzle clear of glue, here's what I do:
When picking up the bottle to start gluing, squeeze it a bit to get rid of some of the air in the bottle, then turn the bottle over to dispense the glue, keeping the pressure on the bottle, and when you are done, turn the bottle tip up, let the glue run back into the bottle, then release the squeeze on the bottle, and the glue that remained in the nozzle will be sucked back into the bottle, leaving the passage clear. Put the top on.
Always store the bottle upright, and regardless of what anyone else says, never put it in the refrigerator...
my .02...
 
I get my bottles from a place that turns pens. they have replacement tips available. no matter what I tried the tips before still plugged up. If not available use a postit pin used in cork boards. just put the bottle upright clear the tip of glue then insert pin. :cool:
 
I wonder if you submerged the bottle in water if that would help. The one time I got the larger container it went off long before I had a chance to use it up. I usually get the stuff at the Buck stores when I can get 3 for the price of one.
 
Kim Breed said:
I get my bottles from a place that turns pens. They have replacement tips available.
Click to expand...
We use replacement tips also. The tip is useful in applying the suerglue. If it gets plugged, trim it shorter. We usually get about 4 months from a tip.

One last point. Store your superglue in the refrigerator. It will last much longer.
 
Sorry, Chuck, but the refrigerator isn't the best place for it unless you let it return to room temperature on its own after taking it out, as it will start condensing water on it (and in it) as soon as you take it out...
Sure, storage of unopened containers is okay, but you gotta watch the water around superglue, even condensation...
 
I've been keeping mine in the fridge for many years, no problems yet. However here in the Texas heat. a week or two in the shop and the large expensive bottles are ruined. If you have a modern, (read, not dinasaur) frost free fridge, you shouldn't have a problem. jm2cts.
 
Yes, I know the refrigerator isn't the problem, it's moisture.
If you bring it from the fridge to a high humidity area, it will condense water on it, and if opened while cold, in it.
That's why I said let it come to room temp first.
Heat and high humidity will kill it, too...
If you live in a place like Denver, you can leave the cap off, in a cool place, and it will be okay, as it doesn't evaporate or cure...no humidity is good.
 
I always hold the bottle in my hand to warm up the glue. I do this to speed up the cure time of the glue. I never thought about condensation.
 
Superglue in a metal or plastic tube STINKS. Get some stuff in a hard plastic bottle. I used Zap-a-Gap a long time on models, but takes too long to dry (though dries ROCK hard). Lately I've discovered the magic of Loctite...

http://www.euroffice.co.uk/itm_show.asp?G7232=Loctite-Superglue-Matic-Gel

Check that out. I've found it at several supermarkets here in Worcester, MA, but you may have more luck online. Anyway, it's gel, which doesn't run, and I've yet to have a tip clog-sup since it rests nicely right-side up, as long as I wipe off the tip before putting the cover on.

I swear by the stuff now.

_z


EDIT: Seriously, the gel is super-key. Stays put, and gets tacky fairly fast (within 20 sec). I'll never get any of that runny junk again. It's only 4$ or so, but spend it wisely, I've put up with a lot of bad glue in my day (I used to play a lot of games w/ miniatures (Warhammer 40K)...I glued together hundreds of them)
 
I use a gallon or more of thin c/a a year and have found replacing the tip works best for me.I buy ten 16 oz bottles at a time from Handibond.They are less than $20 each and it is very high quality.If you use a lot of glue this is the best company I have found to deal with.

http://www.handibond.com/
 
z537z said:
Superglue in a metal or plastic tube STINKS. Get some stuff in a hard plastic bottle. I used Zap-a-Gap a long time on models, but takes too long to dry (though dries ROCK hard). Lately I've discovered the magic of Loctite...

http://www.euroffice.co.uk/itm_show.asp?G7232=Loctite-Superglue-Matic-Gel

......
I swear by the stuff now.
....
Click to expand...
I agree, this stuff is great and doesn't clog up easily. I use this stuff exclusively after trying a dozen others.
 
bladsmth said:
DO NOT PUT IT IN WATER! - is the catalyst for cyanoacrylic.
Click to expand...

catalyst
and all this time I thought it was the skin on my fingers that set it up the best. :eek: ;)


I don't see condensation as a problem unless you already have it in the bottle, if cold you're just able to see it., if you suck air into the bottle
you're going you get Moisture if it's in the air, regardless. weather it's cold or hot, it's just going to hasten it's demise
the cold, as in most anything slows things down. I can see that helping.

frost free fridge :confused:
if the cap is off to let Moisture out of the bottle that may help :)
with cap on ,, it won't make a difference in side the bottle.
high humidity = Moisture
squeeze glue out air goes back in..with what ever is in it..

I like the replaceable tip deal..
gel :barf: JMO :)
 
howiesatwork said:
Dave,
... here's what I do:
When picking up the bottle to start gluing, squeeze it a bit to get rid of some of the air in the bottle, then turn the bottle over to dispense the glue, keeping the pressure on the bottle, and when you are done, turn the bottle tip up, let the glue run back into the bottle, then release the squeeze on the bottle, and the glue that remained in the nozzle will be sucked back into the bottle, leaving the passage clear. ...
my .02...
Click to expand...
Man that must be a classic DUH moment. :D That's my answer, thanks Howie. As for storing it in the fridge I never have but letting it warm to room temp before opening is a good idea. Thanks for all the input,
 
Dave I use Crazy Glue. It comes with a little pin that you stick in the opening when you're finished. If it still gets clogged I'll use a straight pin to clear it. Crazy Glue comes in a container that allows you to store it tip up.
Scott
 
You want to use tips with long thin tubes on them. We used to just use the tubes, you would stick a 3" piece of tube in the hole, the glue would setup and seal the outside and then as you use it the top 1/16" or so would setup after sitting. So you just slit off the end next time you need to use it. Lasts quite a while. I was looking at hobby shops online for those tubes and what I see is replacement tips combined with long tube extensions which would save you the trouble. Here's a link, though theres several different brands, decide which you like more. In my opinion its the most troublefree way to do it.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXK295&P=0

-MJ
 
That looks a bit easier to use than the old tubing that went inside the tip.
I haven't built any planes for a while, so I don't get to hobby shops much any more...
Thanks.
 
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