Cyanoacrylate (CA), commonly known as super glue, is a fast-acting adhesive used in a wide range of applications.  It offers extremely high tensile strength (push-pull), but lower shear strength.  CA glue bonds quickly to materials such as wood, rubber, metal, fibreglass, leather and most plastics.  It cures by reacting to the moisture present on the surface of the materials being joined.

Thin CA - Ideal for high-gloss finishes, inlays, stabilising hairline fractures, and penetrating tight pores via capillary action.

Medium CA - Best suited for bonding tight-fitting parts, repairing small cracks or voids, fixing wood blowouts, model building, RC tyre bonding, pen turning, and general-purpose repairs.

Thick CA - Perfect for gap-filling, bonding porous materials, and hobby model assembly (e.g. RC plane sparring).  The thicker viscosity helps keep the surface instead of soaking in.

O3a CA adhesives begin forming a strong bond within 10-15 minutes.  However, for maximum bond strength, we recommend allowing 10-15 hours of cure time.

An accelerator is recommended when:

• A large volume of glue is applied (e.g. knots, voids)

• The ambient temperature is below 18 °C (65 °F)

• The bonding surface is dense, smooth, or non-porous

• With accelerator:

  • Thin CA: 1–2 seconds

  • Medium CA: ~5 seconds

  • Thick CA: ~10 seconds

• Without accelerator:

  • Thin CA: ~5 seconds

  • Medium CA: ~20 seconds

  • Thick CA: ~40–50 seconds

Note: These times assume one drop per square inch. Larger applications will increase drying time.

After each use, wipe off any excess glue from the nozzle. Tap the bottom of the bottle on a hard surface to draw remaining glue back into the bottle. Then snap the white cap securely over the nozzle to keep it sealed and clog-free.

Shelf life is typically 12 months, but this is a general guideline. When stored correctly, the glue may last much longer. For optimal longevity, store your CA adhesives below 5 °C (ideally in a refrigerator).  

Absolutely. Cold storage is excellent for prolonging shelf life and won’t affect glue performance. Just allow the bottle to warm up to room temperature (about 1–2 minutes) before use to ensure optimal curing speed.

When working with thick O3a Cyanoacrylate, it’s important to apply the adhesive in thin, controlled layers to avoid uneven curing. Applying too much glue at once can result in the outer surface curing while the interior remains soft or uncured.

To ensure an even, reliable bond:

• Apply in thin layers – Build up the adhesive gradually rather than applying a single heavy layer.

• Allow each layer to cure before applying the next – Wait until the previous layer has set or is no longer tacky.

• Use an O3a Accelerator – A light mist of O3a Accelerator between layers can help speed up curing and promote a more consistent set.

• Avoid air pockets – Spread the glue evenly and ensure surfaces are properly aligned to prevent trapped air.

This technique is especially useful when filling large voids, cracks, or knots in wood, or when bonding very porous materials.