CA Glue Vs Super Glue: What’s the difference?
Both CA glue and Super Glue are ethyl cyanoacrylate-based adhesives with fast cure times. The CA glue has a thicker viscosity while Super Glue is lower viscosity.
CA Glue Vs Super Glue: Specs & Uses
Super Glue has a wider specified temperature range but CA glue may have similar capabilities.
My Hands-on Test: CA Glue
ā Pros: CA Glue
When it comes to finishing, sanding, and polishing, this glue performs exceptionally well, and it also works seamlessly with Starbond’s accelerator as well as other brands.
Filling Small Holes and Cracks
For my woodworking needs, I’ve found Starbond glue to be an excellent choice for bonding and filling small holes and cracks. The glue itself performs admirably, providing strong bonds and seamlessly filling cracks and knot holes. It blends in seamlessly with the surrounding wood, ensuring a smooth and polished finish. Additionally, the accompanying accelerator significantly speeds up the drying process, making it convenient and efficient for my woodworking projects.
Wood Carving
It holds tough and can be easily worked and sanded, allowing me to achieve the desired level of detail and smoothness in my carvings. The quick-setting feature, especially when used with the accompanying spray, is truly remarkableāthe glue dries and hardens almost instantly, saving me valuable time.
āCons: CA Glue
Without the activator, the glue was runnier than I expected, and I encountered some difficulties. However, once I acquired the activator, the glue’s performance improved significantly. It sets quickly and provides a strong bond that I can rely on.
FAQ: CA Glue
Q: Have you ever used this adhesive with EVA?
A: No, I have not used it with EVA. I have only used it on wood and rubber.
Q: Could CA Glue damage the apex coating of infloor heat tubing in concrete?
A: I don’t think so, but it’s important to note that this product is not specifically designed for that purpose.
Q: Will the black color seep into the adjoining wood when filling cracks in cherry, walnut, or maple?
A: The Black-Medium Thick CA glue has a syrup-like thickness, which makes it less likely to seep into low-porous woods adjoining the crack. To ensure it doesn’t seep, you can stabilize the crack by applying a coat of clear superfast thin CA glue first. Additionally, spraying the accelerator before applying the CA glue will ensure immediate curing upon contact and prevent seepage.
Q: Can Starbond be sanded?
A: Absolutely! It can be sanded and polished to achieve a smooth, glassy, mirror-like finish. Many users apply it as a finish on various items such as pens, duck calls, and wine stoppers.
Q: Can CA Glue withstand high-temperature voice coil winding (220Ā°C)?
A: No, I would not recommend using it above 250Ā°F (121Ā°C).
Q: Can it be painted to match?
A: There are many types of paint available today, each based on different chemistry. While I cannot guarantee the results, I see no reason why you shouldn’t try painting it. Since you’re trying to adhere paint to both rubber and a cured cyanoacrylate surface, there is a high probability that the paint will stick to one or both surfaces.
Q: Can I polish a rubber speaker edge with CA Glue?
A: Personally, I have not used it on rubber. However, based on my experience with wood, I can say that it can be sanded and polished to resemble the applied wood.
Q: Can the clear CA glue be tinted with any color?
A: Yes, you can tint clear CA glues, but it is generally not recommended. However, if you decide to do so, please avoid adding the tint directly into the glue bottle to prevent contamination or any negative reactions.
Q: Can CA Glue be used to bond leather to rubber for shoes?
A: I recommend using a specialized adhesive that is specifically designed for bonding leather and rubber together. These adhesives are typically formulated to provide excellent adhesion and flexibility, making them ideal for shoe repairs. You can find such adhesives at shoe repair shops or in specialized shoe repair kits.
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My Hands-on Test of Gorilla Super Glue Gel
ā Pros
Just a small amount on the rhizome of the plant, pulling it in place for just a second.
Automotive Repairs
But let’s talk about the performance. I recently had a piece of my car start to fall off for reasons unknown. Instead of shelling out several hundred dollars for a replacement, I decided to give this glue a try.
I cleaned the area thoroughly, both inside and out, and glued back on the plastic, foam, and rubber parts of the piece to the car. It was a roughly 1-foot triangular piece beside the window on one of the doors. After letting it sit for 20 minutes, I took a 15-minute drive, and then left it untouched for almost 20 hours. To my surprise, I haven’t had any trouble with the piece since, and it was ready to fly off in traffic! The result was unbelievable. It looks as if there was never a problem in the first place.
Bond Wood, Plastic, and Tempered Glass
In addition to automotive repairs, I’ve also used this glue to bond wood, plastic, and tempered glass.
Most superglue formulations have a weakness in that the glued parts can sometimes break apart with a sharp blow. It’s unclear whether it’s due to the glue becoming brittle or something in the crystalline structure of the cured glue. However, the Gorilla version I’m reviewing here isn’t prone to such issues. That’s why it’s perfect for gluing vanes to my carbon fiber arrows, which endure repeated impacts on various targets as I shoot them from my 60-pound compound bow. Many other adhesives fail this test, but Gorilla super glue works like a charm.
Fix Earbud Case
Now, let’s talk about my personal experience with this glue. I used it to fix a small broken part in my earbud case, and it has held up well even after a month of frequent usage. I also used it to repair a pin that had broken off from an image on my backpack. It’s still holding well. I even managed to fix a fan using this glue.
āCons
When I opened the bottle, about 30-40% of the contents rapidly oozed out the top due to the air pressure inside the bottle trying toequalize with the lower atmospheric pressure at my location.
FAQ of Gorilla Super Glue Gel
Q: Is Super Glue suitable for repairing the plastic frames and handles of sliding garage screen doors in Florida?
A: I’m not certain if this adhesive will withstand the heat and humidity in Florida. I suggest trying J-B Weld, which is designed to be waterproof. You can see my test here 
JB Weld Vs Gorilla Glue.
Q: Can this glue be used in below freezing temperatures?
A: Gorilla Super Glue Gel can endure temperatures as low as -65Ā°F once it has fully cured. However, it is recommended to apply the glue at room temperature and avoid using it outdoors.
Q: Is this glue suitable for assembling Warhammer miniatures?
A: Yes, it works effectively on a wide range of materials, including Warhammer miniatures.
Q: How quickly does this glue dry to repair cuts? Can it dry fast enough to seal a cut and continue with the task?
A: The glue dries fairly quickly, but I recommend allowing a few minutes for it to dry completely.
Q: Can super glue be used to fix wicker furniture?
A: I have used Gorilla Super Glue successfully on wood, so it should work well on wicker furniture too.
Q: How long can unopened tubes of this glue be stored without losing adhesion?
A: Gorilla Super Glue products have a shelf life of approximately 2 years from the manufacturing date.
Q: Is it safe to use this glue on acetate?
A: This glue bonds instantly to skin.
Q: Is Gorilla Glue Super Gel food-safe for use on dishes or repairing a glass lid for a nut jar?
A: I believe it is safe to use this glue on dishes and glass lids. Gorilla Super Glue is a cyanoacrylate glue (or super glue) that can be used to stop bleeding on open wounds, which suggests its safety for dishes and glass.
Q: What is the shelf life of unopened tubes of this glue?
A: Gorilla Super Glue products have a shelf life of approximately 2 years from the manufacturing date.
Q: Can this gel glue be used for fake nails?
A: According to my article on Nail Glue vs Super Glue, Gorilla Super Glue Gel has not been designed or tested for use on fake nails.
Iām Ronald Stevens, a Mechanical Engineer obsessed with adhesives, glue, and all things sticky! My passion began in childhood when Iād always be the one playing with glue during arts and crafts. And Iād spend hours researching and experimenting. Happy reading, and remember: stick with the best, and youāll never be stuck in a mess!
Feel free to contact me and join our discussion:
Is refrigeration necessary for CA glue storage?
Hello Grant! Thank you for your question :) Refrigeration is not required for storage. However, if it is safe for you and your family, you can enhance the shelf life of the glue by storing it in a refrigerator or freezer. Please note that the glue does not freeze.
Is CA glue suitable for filling in lettering on an old granite monument where the ink has disappeared?
Well, that depends on whether the monument lettering is vertical or horizontal. However, as a general rule, I would not recommend using CA Glue for that purpose. Cyanoacrylate (CA) glue can be challenging to control, and the results may not be satisfactory. I suggest using Sign Painters enamel paint, which dries extremely hard and tough, for filling in the lettering.…Read More
Well, that depends on whether the monument lettering is vertical or horizontal. However, as a general rule, I would not recommend using CA Glue for that purpose. Cyanoacrylate (CA) glue can be challenging to control, and the results may not be satisfactory. I suggest using Sign Painters enamel paint, which dries extremely hard and tough, for filling in the lettering. If any mistakes occur, you can use mineral spirits to remove the error, which is more difficult with CA glue.
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