Thread: Gorilla Glue Brand CA Finish "Works Great"

Thank you very much. I was looking for an online source of glue because I live in Europe. I was looking at a glue called E-Z Bond medium and thick CA too, someone linked it in another thread. Could I use it instead of Gorilla? Because I have to order overseas, 0,5 oz of Gorilla would get me 3 oz of E-Z bond CA glue, and thats not only a little difference in price

I am not sure whether you could use either of the two glues you just mentioned or not. I would guess that you have read the stickied CA finish post: http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...ints-tips.html

If not, it has some pretty good info. I think that the Gorilla glue method works well without the multiple applications of different glue seen in the above-linked post is because it has some sort of additive in it. The package mentioned a component that makes the glue more rubbery. I would say that as long as you use a glue that sufficiently absorb into the wood as the first one or two coats, any other CA glue will suffice for the last coats, if done in proper quantity, i.e. more for thin and less for thick glues.

I have used CA glue for any number of things in my shop and what I have found is that it is not so much the brand, while I would stay away from the really cheap imitation stuff, but that it is fresh. CA degrades rather fast when exposed to air. There are several makers of the stuff and many will offer a hobby shop or retail chain the chance to have their name put on the bottle. Insider info from my brother who manages a hobby store. This often leads to over buying on the part of the store in an effort to get the best price. However you dint want to go in and get stuff that was made 6 or more months ago. It will not be the same glue as when it was made. I think the reason the GG CA is working well is that their products are popular and what is popular sells, hence fresh glue on the shelves. If you dint believe me just take a bottle of the GG and leave it sit six months and it will be just like the others. So, like the days of actual film in cameras buy your CA like you used to buy your film, from a high volume dealer like a big chain store and dint stock up, just get what you need.

What's funny is just a few short years ago I was laughed at on a woodturning forum for mentioning a certain brand of CA because they label the production date on the bottle. Now this in common knowledge on that same forum. I am glad to see the freshness being mentioned here. It does make all of the difference.

Originally Posted by deighaingeal

What's funny is just a few short years ago I was laughed at on a woodturning forum for mentioning a certain brand of CA because they label the production date on the bottle. Now this in common knowledge on that same forum. I am glad to see the freshness being mentioned here. It does make all of the difference.

You are both quite right. Standard super glue is composed mostly of ethyl cyanoacrylate, which forms polymers in the presence of water. This means, that super glue should be stored in airtight containers so that no atmospheric water can react with the monomer. The handy-dandy wikipedia link: Cyanoacrylate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia suggests storing in an airtight container, with some form of desiccant (something that sequesters water).

Edit: The article also mentions storing opened/unopened bottles of CA in the refrigerator to prolong shelf life. However, the GG FAQ website advises to not store it in the fridge, because vapors can be released, and that's not good near food. http://www.gorillaglue.com/glues/superglue/faqs.aspx

So would any good quality med or thick CA do the same as the gorilla? It would be very good if I could get ready a set of scales with 2-4 layers of glue, so thats the most important part for me.

In theory yes. I think the med CA would be fluid enough to soak into the wood. So the thinnest glue you have should be used as the first layer so as much glue as possible can be absorbed.