The Board

Do we know what effect saltwater might have on EXPOSED super glue...if any?
Lou

Really depends on the superglue? Most gets brittle in water, some don't.

Cheers
Lasse

So, if it could become brittle, there's a possibility that the glue could break. Then lose its adhesiveness.

So, best to layer the glue with thread wraps...or something else. Depending on application I guess.
Lou

Superglue comes unstuck for me in water. This is because it sets through evaporation. I use it in poppers, when leading flies etc but it won’t stick eyes and it will eventually fall apart.

I know people who swear by UV glues. They don’t work well for me either. It depends on the application but epoxy may be best. It’s a pain to use.

What’s it for, Lou?

Cheers, Paul

Paul Arden wrote: ↑Wed Apr 21, 2021 4:55 am Superglue comes unstuck for me in water. This is because it sets through evaporation.

Cheers, Paul

Hi Paul,

'Super' glue is a brand name for a cyanoacrylate adhesive. These cure due to the presence of water (moisture in the air) causing the polymerisation chain reaction.

I use superglue in my saltwater flies - firstly to secure the initial wrapping of thread, then I add some around the dumbbell eyes. I don't worry too much about deterioration because all the fish I cast will mess it up before the glue fails

James

Ah! Thanks for the correction! This I didn’t know

Paul Arden wrote: ↑Wed Apr 21, 2021 4:55 am Superglue comes unstuck for me in water. This is because it sets through evaporation. I use it in poppers, when leading flies etc but it won’t stick eyes and it will eventually fall apart.

I know people who swear by UV glues. They don’t work well for me either. It depends on the application but epoxy may be best. It’s a pain to use.

What’s it for, Lou?

Cheers, Paul

Paul
I've been trying simple tarpon flies that use rabbit strips. I super glue the strips. Without giving a list of all my flies, I've been trying different saltwater flies. Different sizes, material, natural and synthetic also. I use super glue, gel on most of my flies along with UV resin on some.
Lou

James
So is using super glue a waste?
Any alternative?
Loi

Hi Lou,
I think for rabbit strips just tie it Matuka style. I sometimes put a small dollop of UV glue at the tail connection to the hook bend to stop tail wrap but there are other ways of avoiding it. Eg a loop of nylon that the strip rests on or is even needled through. (I can’t remember where I learned that - Matt Klara I think). I too like rabbit strips although in the salt, however I’ve often found that the teeth bite through them!

Cheers, Paul