Superglue longevity

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

I heard today from a very reliable source that models built using Superglue have a limited shelf life and not recommended?

Anybody heard of this?

Sounds plausible I suppose?

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Bob

I have heard it as well, but take it with a pinch of salt. The life of a model is dependent on lots of things. I have built models that only had a life-span of a few days because they were either dropped or squashed flat whilst being delivered. A friend of mine has been building a 74-gun ship of the line for over 30 years. The planking was all stuck on with superglue that he first used well over 20 years ago and it is still OK. I have one or two models that I built about 25 years ago with it and they are still OK. Who is to say which glue will outlive other glues?

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thanks Bob

I would think that a few coats of paint or varnish also plays a major part too?

Bob

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

I think some makes of 'superglue' are rather superior to others. The main problem I have heard is that it becomes brittle with age and joints under stress can fail or fittings become detached. That is why i always try to both glue and pin fittings to my models.

I suppose there is something to be said for boiling down horses after all….

Colin

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Aaah Colin!

That lovely smell of boiling glue in the woodwork class at school!

Remember?

Bob

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Oh yes Bob, the trouble was that once you'd boiled down your horse to make a foot stool for your poor old Mum you had nothing to ride home on….

Colin

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

I expect this will bring forth screams of anguish from those who know better, but I have done it for years

I put contact adhesive on one surface and superglue on the other! When I bring them together, the immediate effect is an enormously strong bond in a split second.

I have subjected bonds like this to the most extreme tests and they never seem to come apart!

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Screams of anguish!……….What a concoction!

I like to be able to adjust things and mess about, before the glue goes off!

There was a chap on the telly, Chester somebody, who used PVA as the main adhesive but added a few blobs of superglue to hold the position

Bob

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Well, you certainly don't have time to mess about with it, as it grabsit instantly and permanently. Never thought of trying it with PVA, but will give it a go!

Bob

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