When to Use Each Viscosity on Plastic:

• Thin CA (100 CPS): Tight-fitting joints like fuselage halves. Apply to one side, press together, and the thin CA wicks into the seam by capillary action. Creates invisible bonds with no cleanup.
• Medium CA (700 CPS): General assembly work—landing gear, cockpits, detail parts. Gives you 2-3 seconds of working time before it tacks.
• Thick CA (1500 CPS): Gap-filling on poor-fitting kits. Bridges gaps up to 0.02" without needing putty. Essential for older or short-run kits.
• CA Gel: Clear canopies and vertical surfaces. The gel won't run down and fog clear parts like thin CA can.

💡 Pro Tip: The Capillary Application Method

For seamless plastic joints: dry-fit parts, hold together with tape or clamps, then apply thin CA to the outside edge of the seam with a fine applicator. The CA wicks deep into the joint via capillary action. No mess, no squeeze-out, perfect bond.

Balsa Building Techniques:

• Stick framework: Use thin CA on one stick, press against another. Tacks in seconds. Build a wing rib structure in 10 minutes vs. hours with white glue.
• Sheeting (covering ribs): Medium CA applied in small dots along ribs. Too much thin CA soaks through and warps the sheet.
• Hardening soft balsa: Brush thin CA onto soft balsa edges to harden them before sanding. Creates crisp, chip-free edges.
• Accelerator for production work: One light mist between glue applications. Cures in 5 seconds. Critical for building multiple assemblies quickly.

⚠️ Don't Glue Balsa to the Building Board!

Thin CA soaks through balsa and parchment paper. Use wax paper, or better yet, apply CA to the side joint, not the face touching the board. Veteran builders learn this lesson once (the hard way).

Thick CA (1500 CPS) is the resin modeler's best friend:

• Fills gaps between poorly-fitting parts
• Bonds instantly—no waiting for epoxy to cure
• Can be sanded smooth after 5 minutes
• For larger voids: mix CA with baking soda for instant rock-hard filler

The Professional Tire Gluing Method:

1. Clean wheels with alcohol — Remove mold release and oils. This step is critical. Dirty surfaces = weak bonds.
2. Mount tire onto wheel — Ensure it's seated properly in the bead groove all the way around.
3. Lift the tire bead on one side — Pull back enough to expose the groove, but not so much it unseats the other side.
4. Apply Medium CA (700 CPS) into the exposed gap — Work around the circumference. Medium flows into the gap but doesn't run everywhere like thin.
5. Let the bead snap back into place — The pressure spreads the CA. Wait 2-3 minutes for initial cure.
6. Run a thin bead of CA around the outer edge of the bead — This seals the joint from the outside.
7. Repeat on the other side — Both beads must be glued or the tire will roll off the wheel sideways under cornering load.

⚡ Why Not Thin CA?

Thin CA wicks away too fast and can soak into the foam tire insert, bonding it to the wheel. Medium CA stays in the bead area where you want it. For warm-weather racing (60°F+), medium also has better heat resistance.

• Broken suspension arms (plastic): Thin CA wicked into the crack, then thick CA on the outside for reinforcement. Stronger than the original.
• Threadlock alternative: One drop of thin CA on set screws. Easy to remove later with heat (unlike permanent threadlock).
• Wire tacking on speed controllers: Medium CA to hold solder joints in place against vibration.
• Body mounting foam: Gel CA works best on vertical surfaces and porous foam.

FPV drone builders use CA for:

• Camera mounting: Thick CA + zip ties for vibration-resistant mounts
• Wire management: Small dots of gel CA to tack wires to the frame
• Carbon fiber repairs: Thin CA wicked into cracked carbon, then thick CA as filler. Sand flush after cure.
• Propeller balancing: Tiny drops of thin CA on prop tips to balance (advanced technique)

Common Jewelry Applications:

• Securing knots on silk cord: One tiny drop of thin CA on the knot. Wicks in, hardens, prevents unraveling. Don't over-apply—it will darken the silk.
• Bonding metal findings to stones: Medium CA on clean, degreased surfaces. Works on most metals (sterling, brass, stainless). Test on plated metals first.
• Seed bead embroidery backing: Thin CA to stiffen and seal thread paths on the back of beadwork. Prevents thread from pulling through.
• Gluing rhinestones: Gel CA for control. Apply to the setting, not the stone. Dries clear on most materials.
• Leather cord ends: Dip leather cord end in thin CA before inserting into cord end caps. Creates a stiff, easy-to-insert end.

💡 Pro Tip: CA + Baking Soda for Instant Settings

When setting stones or creating bezels: apply thick CA, position stone, sprinkle baking soda on the CA. It hardens instantly into rock-hard filler. Sand/file to shape. This technique builds up material fast—great for filling gaps around poorly-fit stones.

Best Practices for Minis:

• Thin CA for arms, legs, weapons: Small parts with tight joints bond perfectly with thin CA. Apply to one side only, press, hold 5 seconds.
• Medium CA for torso/base assembly: Larger contact areas. Medium gives you a moment to adjust alignment.
• Thick CA for poorly-cast resin parts: Fills gaps and air bubbles. Let cure 5 minutes, then sand smooth before priming.
• Pinning + CA: For heavy metal miniatures, drill pin holes, insert brass rod, secure with thin CA wicked around the pin. Strongest possible joint.

Cosplayers use CA for fast assembly and detail work on foam, plastic, and 3D-printed armor/props:

• EVA foam seams: Gel CA on edges, press together. Sets before the foam shifts.
• 3D-printed helmets/armor: Thin CA wicked along print layer lines creates a smooth, sandable surface for painting.
• Adding details (gems, studs, trim): Gel CA for control and gap-filling on uneven foam surfaces.
• Hardening foam edges: Brush thin CA on cut foam edges to seal and harden before painting.

Thin CA (100 CPS)

Tight joints, capillary action, model assembly

2 oz Bottle

Medium CA (700 CPS)

General bonding, RC tires, jewelry, versatile

8 oz Bottle

Thick CA (1500 CPS)

Gap filling, resin kits, repairs, porous materials

8 oz Bottle

CA Glue Gel (20g)

Vertical surfaces, foam, precise application

20g Tube

CA Accelerator

Speed up cure time for production work

6.8 oz Aerosol

All Purpose CA (20g)

Starter size for small projects and testing

20g Tube

Scale Models

Thin for tight joints
Medium for general assembly
Thick for gap filling

RC Vehicles

Medium for tire gluing
Thin for threadlock
Gel for foam/vertical

Jewelry & Beads

Thin for knots
Medium for findings
Gel for rhinestones

Miniatures & Cosplay

Thin for small parts
Thick for resin gaps
Gel for EVA foam