July 16, 2015 Mercury Adhesives

What is the best way to keep CA fresh?

The handling of the product, once opened, is very important to the life span of the product. Always keep the cap on when not in use, keep the nozzle clean from excess glue and contaminants, keep the CA bottle away from accelerators, and store the sealed bottle in a cool dry place.

Storing CA in the refrigerator, in an un-opened container, will keep the product fresh for a long time. Do not freeze CA; 40degrees F is an ideal temperature. Once you open the bottle do not put the bottle in and out of the refrigerator as this will introduce condensation to the inside of the bottle which will react with the CA and it will start to set up.

Some have reported that once the bottle is opened, to store it in an airtight container with rice in the bottom.  The rice is a natural descant and keeps moisture out of the CA.

We at Mercury have been asked if there is a way to “thin” the CA once it hardens, or starts to harden.  Unfortunately, we do not recommend trying to “refresh” a CA.  Some of the other CA’s in the world will “refresh” their CA’s with toxic chemicals, like Benzene and Chloroform (yeah, like the stuff that can knock you out).  This is a toxic solution (literally) and Mercury Adhesives will never recommend or condone such procedures.  Do yourself, and your model a favor — just buy a new bottle.

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