Working with Cyanoacrylate (CA) Glue

An introduction to working with Cyanoacrylate glue by expert kayak builder and designer, Nick Schade:

To hold together puzzle joints, seams, and other parts before they are epoxied, I use Cyanoacrylate (CA) glue – otherwise known as super glue. The CA glue sets up almost instantaneously, so be sure to pay attention to alignment before you activate the glue with the accelerant!

The CA glue is not very strong, but it is generally strong enough to hold the parts together until the boat is fiberglassed. I apply small dots of glue right onto the seam between the two panel parts. The "gel" type CA glue has low enough viscosity that it will flow into seam a bit and thick enough that it will bridge small gaps. Place dots every inch (a couple centimeters) or so.

Go as far along the seam as you can holding tight and flush with your hands while the glue cures. A quick spray with the CA glue accelerant will dry the glue in a matter of seconds. You can give a light spray and then hold the part with both hands. Don't get your fingers in the glue or you may become a permanent part of the boat. Work down across the joint, gluing and spraying as needed to hold the joint smooth and flush.

I give a light sanding of the glue dots when I'm done so they don't stick up much. The glue soaked into the seam should be enough to hold the joint even with the dots sanded away.

It does happen that these spot welds of glue are not enough. Handle the parts carefully, but don't fret if they pop apart, just re-glue them and maybe use a little more.