4 Tips To Keep Your Super Glue From Clogging! | I've Been Doing It Wrong!

[@damnhandy]

A couple of comments and a cautionary tale: small bottles of super-glue are almost impossible to keep clear of crusty dry glue, and since one usually uses super glue to make very small repairs, it makes more sense to keep several small single-use tubes of the glue instead of depending on squeeze bottles, although acetone (fingernail polish solvent) can revitalize crusty dried super-glue. Now for the cautionary tale: once upon a time I wanted to mend the broken handle on my favorite coffee mug, and I rooted around in my junk drawer until I found an old tube of super glue. Since I had only two hands, I held the ceramic handle onto the coffee mug with one hand while I tried to loosen the cap of the old super glue tube with my other hand. After some futile effort, I tried to loosen the cap with my teeth. As I was twisting the tube back and forth while clenching the cap with my teeth, the cap popped open and splashed super glue all over my mouth, instantly glueing my lips shut with the super glue tube sticking out of my mouth like a cheap cigar! First I tried to free my mouth by gently prying on the glue on my lips with a razorblade. When that didn't work, and I'd stopped the bleeding, I remembered that acetone dissolved super glue, so I snatched a bottle of my wife's nail polish remover, and began to apply it to my lips. Oh my freaking god! That's when I realized human lips are extremely sensitive because my lips felt like they were on fire, and my eyes didn't feel much better. The acetone did loosen my lips though, so I could again open my tortured mouth. So be warned everyone. Never ever open a tube of super glue with your teeth.

[@soupflood]

That sounded horrible, warm water also helps at un -sticking sensitive skin, it's not painful, but it's not as fast as acetone either.

[@74Voyeur]

I ALWAYS keep a bottle of nail polish remover and cotton balls soaked in that solution on the workbench, in case my fingers come in contact with the glue.

[@miguelbarrero5572]

I saw a video of someone trying water with salt to unglue his fingers. All he did was add salt to his glued fingers and then water. He kept doing that until he was able to free his fingers.

[@ivancho5854]

Wow, that is a powerful cautionary tale. I hope that your skin recoverd ok. If I remember correctly one of the first uses of super glue was in the Vietnam war, where it was used by medics as a temporary substitute for stitches. Another chemical was used in the field hospital to neutralise it and open the wound. I can't recall what the neutralising chemical is, but it is used in A&E (ER) to this day to unglue accidents, but I haven't heard that it is painful when applied. All the best.

[@Mallarkey]

😂 Have you reproduced yet? If not, you might wanna give it a miss, for the sake of the species.

[@wendymcdowell2341]

Thank you, Joanna! I have lost count of how many of your videos I’ve watched, and I honestly think I’ve learned something from each one, both The Small Scape and Prime Time Aquatics videos. Your tips for Super Glue have not disappointed… into the fridge it goes! Thank you so much!

[@monicaharmonica7152]

Omg!!! This is the best video!!! Super glue in the fridge?!? Mind blown 🤯 I’m currently missing several fingerprints from having to rip my fingers off of drying items

[@denisekoenig9479]

Put Vaseline on the tip so cap doesn't stick

[@OneWhoWas]

I'm going to try this. Thanks!

[@Ma007rk]

I'll try that, thank you for posting the comment.

[@SpenceBeGarbage]

Been doing this for years and it is definitely a game changer!

[@noelbrucker135]

All great tips! I finally gave up trying to keep mine from clogging, so I just started buying the tiny tube single use 3 packs from the Dollar Tree. But even those I might be able to make last longer with your tips! Thanks!

[@maureenk-farmhousecharms903]

Who knew? The fridge for keeping super glue “fresh”? Mine will be going into zip locks & into the fridge pronto! Love all your tips Joanna!! Thank you!! 😊

[@gorilladisco9108]

I always put it inside refrigerator. But the plastic bag is new to me.

[@CricketsMa]

Good tips! It has taken me years to figure out some of them. The refrigerator tip I never would have guessed!😄

[@shuanaroden5226]

Thank you have no idea how many super glues I've thrown out because of clogged tips It's always a pleasure to watch you I always learn something

[@angiemoore1741]

Great tips! I usually on opening a new bottle every time I want to use some. I guess I needed this video! Lol

[@ltpdogtrainingNJ]

Thanks for the tips! I heard we can put a dessicant in the ziplock bag, as well, to absorb any moisture in the remaining air.

[@Coyo-Tea]

I shall start keeping it the fridge in a plastic bag from now on, thank you for those tips 👍🏻

[@chaselee86]

I kept it in my refrigerator and put some of it on my salad.

[@niniemecanik]

Hi Joanna! I discovered your channel recently and I have binge watched your videos. Today I found a hack and thought of you immediately. Here goes: When trying to cut tiny branches in nooks and crannies of my driftwood, I use my pets' nail clippers to cut them nice and short and smooth. I use the dog nail clipper on the "bigger" branches, and the cat nail clipper is perfect for the real small ones. 😊

[@trenamarie9820]

I would have never thought of keeping it in the refrigerator. Thanks for the tips.

[@trekabe9745]

Very useful tips, didnt know about keeping it in the fridge😊...thanks

[@OneWhoWas]

You could totally recover that bottle with some pliers and work at the end a bit. Then follow up and clean out the port with a tiny drill bit... Or... Take the lid off and decant it into a different container that is almost empty. Air with moisture is the biggest killer.

[@williecanuck5001]

1$ a tube ... nah...

[@miniarefuntopaint]

Had no idea of the temperature issue. Thanks!

[@tentyme1]

I also like to take corner of a zip lock baggie put it over the top and tighten the cap back on. This way it should be even more air tight

[@dragonbowlsupper]

Your channel is so incredibly useful.

[@bunnyviperaquatics2108]

Question Does the accelerator damage plants in any way? I would think not since you use it. Thanks!

[@dulcythefrog]

I 've used baking soda in water as a DIY accelerator. I just rinse it well to dilute, since I know it can be an issue for crayfish, and possibly other inverts.

[@thesmallscape]

Hi - nope - no damage ☺️

[@OneWhoWas]

Activator is usually sodium bicarbonate, and shouldn't damage anything. And takes just a very small amount to do its job. If you put the glue on one part, and activator on the other part, you can get away with a lot less waste and overspray.

[@ausfan100]

Didn't work for me in the fridge. After a month, it was in the trash can. Big fail.

[@lynnbonica4342]

Great tips! I have lost many a super glue to clogging. 😒 Will definitely give your tips a try. Thanks!

[@thesmallscape]

Oh yes, good to hear it. ☺️

[@shesellsfish]

Great tips. I always have bottles of super glue stored with various ongoing projects. 99% of the time when I go back to work on a work in progress, the super glue looks like yours and is absolutely useless. The fridge tip is an excellent idea, my super glues will all be in one place...IF I remember to put them back in there. I'll give me 70/30 odds on that, lol. Hope you guys had a great weekend. 👍❤👍

[@johngoard8272]

Thanks for the tips am going to try the fridge version from now on.

[@thesmallscape]

🙌

[@lewashcliffe]

All great ideas, Joanna! Thanks! You are always so practical!

[@JohnWood-tk1ge]

Didn’t think you were posting today lucky me just got done hauling water! Running this tank into my fall lettuce bed. It’s been so dry here it’s not funny 210 gallon tank of water getting run into the garden daily but things are just to dry. Five minutes after it gets done running out the ground looks just as dry as it did before I started!

[@jennytherose]

Hi I have a question not about glue it's about anubias I got a anubias and half of the this one has a lot of leaves and roots but the other side has no leaves and no new roots what can I do to get leaves to grow on that side

[@jennytherose]

Half of the rhizome not this one

[@SkullAquatics]

The refrigerator?? I would have never thought that. Thanks for the video 👍👍👍

[@LM_Studios95]

Do these tips also work for e6000 glue?

[@dominus6695]

3. Use a needle to unclog it! Can it be stored in the freezer?

[@juliaheinritz3264]

Super glue in the fridge...now that's a new one! Thanks for sharing:)

[@bigdee12k]

Any advice on keeping Gorilla Glue soft, I keep in ziploc but after 3 months it hardens. Thanks

[@TheGameBoy56]

I just use a utility knife when they get like that cut the stuff off Try it Or u can even use small drill bit make the hole again I’m a model builder lol I get every drop out of them

[@thesmallscape]

Oh I did! I tried everything. It’s never been this bad. It’s turned into a rock. I used to use a pin with my model glue.

[@mlrausch7708]

Ohhh, such a good video! Great info indeed, who knew?

[@Trashed20659]

I always tap and test to see the tip is clear. Did not know about the Fridge tip, but it makes sense now that my CA glue down in the cooler basement is lasting longer.😉

[@LSSJTHOR]

I put the cap on, clean it, and today it GLUED at the base and nozzle! Had to keep stabbing with with a needle. They design these things to dry and rip.

[@thesmallscape]

That’s a bummer!

[@cherylbelott]

Hi Joanna, 😊 These are excellent, excellent tips!! Besides aquascaping, I’m always using super glue to fix things around the house. It’s going into the fridge right now! Sorry yours got clogged. Can you cut the tip a little or use a thumbtack or paper clip to force a new hole? I’ve had success that way. (Different brand than yours though) Hope your weekend is a good one! 😃😊☺️

[@williecanuck5001]

😢

[@2hardbackrub743]

Great tips, I've needed this for 35 years hahahaha.

[@Whips_World]

I have yet to try glue of any kind, mostly because I don't know all the hows and whys (mostly the hows) which is one of the many variables to why my thumb is black. Great topic though. Didn't know the fridge tip either.

[@williecanuck5001]

My 3 yo has used glue..

[@tubejim101]

Thanks, did not know it was temp sensitive.

[@dici210]

thank you for this - super helpful and valuable !!!

[@goldeninjasid7310]

Can I spray this on my plants?

[@stephenpiper6212]

Does the super glue work as well when cold? Prob have to warm it up for use?

[@williecanuck5001]

Put in hand 5 mins

[@maric.997]

You can also snip the tip 😉

[@jimweisgram9185]

I have restored a crusty clogged tip by soaking in acetone. You want to be careful of CA and acetone fumes. I wonder how an old prescription bottle would stand up to acetone? Ideally the container is as small as possible, the cap would hopefully seal away the fumes.

[@barrychambers4047]

All good tips! I would add: Acetone on a rag, or fingernail polish remover, will help in keeping the tip clean. Methanol is even better, providing you have some.

[@MEmiria]

Are al kinds of super glue safe for aquariums? I want to start using it to try aquascaping, but I'm afraid that the chemicals will kill my fish. I'll appreciate it if you can please share some explanations😊

[@miket713]

I had no idea about the refrigerator thing or the ziplock

[@tsumplay3094]

In low temperature it will takes very long time for superglue to cure. That's why.

[@physicsariel9237]

Thanks for the tips

[@foxchasejrt1]

Thanks for the great tips!! I love your tips - they work wonders for me❤❤❤ Does anyone know if using the Gorilla Super Glue Brush & Nozzle product instead of Gorilla Super Glue Gel is safe for use in aquascaping? I use the brush & nozzle product weekly to fix my fingernail that splits badly (injured nail bed), and love the way you can control the application of the glue with the brush. Has anyone tried/used this product successfully for plants and rocks?

[@pamelapilling6996]

So now I know! Thanks Joanna.

[@carolebraswell982]

Thanks for the great tips!

[@Dopest_diecast2003]

What happens if you smell it when you use it like the thing you applied it on? I applied it on a fly and I smell it on Accident.. Will I be okay?

[@williecanuck5001]

No

[@JC-ew5ss]

It is not temperature, it is moisture. Refrigerators when running properly are DRY environments and the super glue is sensitive to humidity. This is what my professor told me anyway.

[@ninjascientific]

My local hobby shop sells replacement nozzles and caps for BSI glue. Maybe yours does too!

[@ivancho5854]

Thank you these are really great tips. My wife keeps her nail polish in the fridge as she says that it extends its life (which it probably does). So when I start keeping my super glue in the fridge she won't be able to object! 🤣

[@williecanuck5001]

Acetone can give off enough vapor to ignite in the presence of an ignition source (compressor motor),.lights, etc..... NEVER DO THIS

[@ivancho5854]

@@williecanuck5001 You are correct, however nail polish is sold in a sealed container so that the solvent doesn't evaporate, hence the risk of combustion is utterly miniscule. It would be very different if it were kept in a open bowl. Thanks for the concern anyway and have a great day. 👍

[@Anubis30224]

Me: searching for super glue tips for D&D minis Also me: is also a fish keeper Odd how that worked out

[@samisamuel73]

thanks really nice tips ! I'll put in mind next time when I buy new superglue , my regards

[@2ndflooraquatics609]

THANK YOU!!!

[@Borogerst32697]

please help! my gorilla glue gel will not stick my 2 pieces of teak wood together! :(

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Cool tips!!!

[@davefromiowa3843]

Great ideas

[@edgarpayne8673]

Thank you very much.

[@Evil_Genius_888]

🤔 in the fridge… that might be a whole topic for a video? All the hobby things that keep better in a refrigerator. I certainly didn’t know about superglue.

[@sayeedaislam2740]

The shopkeeper told me this freezing tip today. I was shocked also

[@templerazrael]

Tip 3 is a lifesaver also 🤦‍♂️ I'm so dumb for not knowing this 😅. Thank you!

[@thesmallscape]

Not dumb - hope it helps! ☺️

[@sharyntoner9454]

I too have stored super glue in the fridge however, isn’t the fact that moisture is what ruins it a problem due to moisture from your fridge? Obviously, moisture will form(condensation) after it is removed from fridge…

[@williecanuck5001]

The bag....That's what the bag was for. ..

[@sschario60]

I thought mine was clogged. Nope, just empty (almost). A box knife to slice open the bottle, and a chopstick helped me get java moss on lava rock, today.

[@karenaubrey5737]

Good Mor...hey. Good Evening! LoL

[@escmacs]

I will try your tips and let you know how they worked for me,

[@thesmallscape]

🙌

[@immanutt4442]

Nice ... 'tips'

[@gorilladisco9108]

Don't use accelerator. Use baking soda instead. It works faster to set super glue. Which also mean that you shall not expose the bottle to baking soda.

[@williecanuck5001]

Or wait the 30secs

[@wendihamlett105]

Thank you! Super Glue is the Duck Tape of my fish room! (Now just share your secret to keeping your fingers from sticking to each other, the hardscape and to plants..... lol)

[@debzthomson9671]

i had mine in the fridge and it stil died

[@jamesparadigm]

💙💙💚💚

[@BeeKayCee911]

Thank You👍