Craft Tip: DIY Super Glue (Cyanoacrylate) Accelerator Spray

If you’re a user of cyanoacrylate (CA) glues (super glues) in your projects, then you’ll know that it doesn’t always bond instantly. You often have to hold the pieces in place until the glue sets enough that it can hold the pieces together on its own. In the meantime, a slight bump can cause separation and misalignment. If you’re in a hurry, you can use a commercial accelerator spray, or make your very own.

To make your own accelerator spray, you will need a spray bottle, baking soda, and 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA). Combine 150mL of isopropyl alcohol and 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda, mixing very well—not all of the baking soda will dissolve. Slowly pour the mixture into a spray bottle, making sure not to pour in the undissolved baking soda, which will clog the sprayer.

Although this solution does work, it only hardens the outside of the CA glue enough to hold the pieces together—the glue still needs time to fully bond and cure. You can experiment with different ratios of baking soda and IPA, and even with different concentrations of IPA.

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