Tamiya CA Cement Accelerator

When the accelerator helps

Super glue only cures quickly in a thin layer and at a certain air humidity. In a thicker layer, on smooth metal or in a dry environment it can take long minutes to set, during which the part has to be held. The accelerator solves this: once applied, the glue hardens practically at once, so the joint does not have to be held in place.

Main field of use

• Gluing photo-etched parts, where cement for polystyrene cannot be used
• Joints of metal to plastic and of resin to plastic
• Filling small gaps with glue that would otherwise not set
• Situations where a part cannot be clamped or supported

How to work with it

It is applied in a very small amount, ideally sprayed from a distance or brushed on away from a visible surface. Excess leaves a white bloom that is clearly visible on a dark surface and has to be sanded off. A joint cured with accelerator tends to be slightly more brittle than one that set on its own.

Work in a well-ventilated area and store the product away from heat. Close the bottle carefully after use, as the contents evaporate.

What to watch out for

• Never apply the accelerator to a visible surface, as the white bloom shows
• On clear parts there is a risk of permanent fogging, so do not use it there at all
• Apply the glue first and the accelerator only once the part is in place
• Close the bottle carefully after use, as the contents evaporate

On photo-etched parts it pays to apply the accelerator to one of the two surfaces being joined and the glue to the other. The joint then hardens at the exact moment of contact and the part does not have to be held, which is a decisive relief with small parts.