"Superglue - how do I get it to stick?" Topic

I've just spent a frustrating afterneen trying to stick some microarmour to nail heads, so that I have something to hold them by whist I paint them.

I try to use Superglue (cyanoacrillate, or however it' spelled) to stick them, as recommended by several websites, yet I have the same problem I've had repeatedly over the years – the glue doesn't stick!

In the adverts it sticks instantly. On the packaging, it warns that it sticks in seconds. Yet there I am, holding the two parts together for minutes and still this so-called glue has the same effect as (and looks like) plain old water.

Please, someone, what am I doing wrong?

Try using UHU (the one that comes in the yellow tube), I've never had a problem with it. Consequently I don't use superglue.

Use less of it

Or buy War Glue, the only 100% glue

…apart from Warrior Glue, the only other 100% glue

They're both unique

I would think too much glue and not warm enough.

Try dipping the head of the nail in the glue and then putting the figure on – if you try upside down and hold the nail up with BluTak that may help.

I have found with 15mm it sticks great to the fingure but not the metal because of the temperature difference.

As for the 100% glues – still use cheap B&Q stuff here with no problems.

Andrew
kings-sleep.blogspot.com

I use superglue gel, which has never let me down (unless I drop something…).

Putting a few drops on my fingers always seemed to work for me….

You should rough up the surface of the nail head and bottom of the miniature if possible.

When doing micro turrets I hit it with some accelerator and that does it.

Epoxy is better.

Try "Liquid Nails", since it comes pre-mixed in a tube, and stores well, without drying out, like super glue does, once you open it.

What kind of nail are you using? I use a roofing nail, it has a large head and gives a lot of surface to glue. I also have a 2x4 with holes drilled in them that are the same circumference as the nails. This lets the nail and miniature sit straight up. It lets me transport a large number of miniatures around, I can then prime and airbrush them right on the 2x4. I just discovered Gorilla Glue Super Glue, it bonds very quickly and does not expand like the older Gorilla Glue.

Nails aren't the cleanest things…
They are made from wire that is cut, stamped, ground, etc. All of which use oil and generate dust and dirt. If the iron were clean, it would also rust a lot faster.
Sand the head smooth, and then clean and degrease it.

I don't get it.

Superglue will always instantly bond my fingers to what ever I'm holding!!!! ;-)

use accelerator… aka spit.

superglue on one component, lick the other, stick 'em together… that should do it.

don't get distracted and forget which one you put the glue on, though, because superglue on your tongue is not fun.

w.

Ethpethially en oo glue nailth to tung…

i had the same problem….i tried "superglue" of various makes for various things and decided they are all pretty much rubbish tbh. The ONLY thing it is guaranteed to stick instantly is your fingers /sigh

So now i use a big dollop of all purpose Bostick or UHU on the nail which works fine – you just have to be fairly generous with it or the nail won't stick solid enough. Even then the micro armour is still easy enough to pull off after painting with a little twist.

PS as OFM suggests some types of nail head might need a quick file or emery rub before glue will hold to it.

There are superglues and then there are superglues. If you are using the 'three tiny tubes for a dollar' from the 99cent store, you will always have problems. Spend some more and buy the superglue from a hobby store. There really is a difference.

Hope you aren't trying to use finishing nails, with heads only a bit bigger than the shaft of the nail. This is a certain recipe for frustration.

Also, the posts above are correct about cleanliness. Degrease both the mini and the nail head before gluing. I use simple dishwashing detergent and an old toothbrush, subsequently well rinsed and allowed to dry.

You might also try simple fixturing, so you can put 'em together and walk away, not need to sit very still holding them together. Even TINY motions between the two surfaces during curing will inhibit 'sticking'.

Chick

What the OFM said. Nails are filthy, and some of them are shipped almost dripping in oil. Clean the nail heads and you probably won't have this problem anymore.

Clean the nailheads and the surface you're putting them on. i.e. degrease. Be sure the areas are smooth (roughen for epoxy not superglue.)

Otherwise,just use a low temp hot glue gun that will cost as much as a good tube of superglue.

M-

"I've just spent a frustrating afternoon trying to stick some microarmour to nail heads, so that I have something to hold them by whist I paint them."

Be careful what you wish for. If you get a good bond, especially with a small mini like micro-armor, you may have a lot of trouble getting the mini to separate awat from the nail after you finish (there are release agents that will help). I would use some plasticine or florist's green putty to do the job.

Try using blue tack on the nail head, I do this when painting 28mm cavalry and it works fine.

The other tip if using superglue is blowing/breathing on it when you stick them together, the humidity in your breath acts as an accelerant.

Try Gorilla Super Glue found at Home Depot. WOrks wonders and really fast drying.