Starbond CA Glue

CA glue stands for cyanoacrylate glue, also known as super glue. It's a fast-bonding adhesive that works on wood, metal, plastic, ceramic, rubber, and more. In woodworking, it's used for filling voids and cracks, bonding pen blanks, inlays, and small repairs.

The main difference is viscosity, which affects how the glue flows and what it's best suited for. Thin CA is very runny and wicks into tight joints and cracks. Medium CA has an oil-like consistency and works well for general bonding and small gap filling. Thick CA is a gel-like "gap filler" that stays in place and is best for larger voids and uneven surfaces.

For small cracks and fine voids, thin CA works well because it wicks in easily. For larger gaps, thick CA is the better choice as it stays in the void without running. Brown or black CA glue is popular for voids in wood because the colour blends naturally.

The accelerator, also called an activator, speeds up the curing time of CA glue significantly. It's especially useful with medium, thick, and coloured CA glues that have longer bonding times on their own. You can apply it before or after the CA glue depending on the situation.

It's not required, but it's highly recommended. Without it, thicker CA glues can take 30 seconds to over two minutes to cure. The accelerator brings that down to just a few seconds, which is a big time saver when you're doing multiple fills or repairs.

Brown and black CA glues are used to fill voids, knots, and cracks in wood in a way that blends with the natural colour of the material. Black CA is popular for dark wood species like walnut, while brown CA works well for lighter woods.

Yes. Thin and medium CA glues can be applied in multiple coats, sanded between coats, and buffed to a high gloss finish. This technique is popular in pen turning and small woodturning projects where you might want  a hard, glass-like finish.

Starbond makes a debonder specifically for this. Apply it to the dried glue, wait 10–15 minutes, and wipe off the loosened residue. For tougher clean-ups, leave the debonder on for 20–30 minutes and use a scraper or abrasive to remove it. It also works for getting fingers unstuck.

Store it in the fridge or freezer, under 40°F, both before and after use. Starbond guarantees a 30-month shelf life on clear CA glues and 20 months on coloured CA glues when stored properly. Each bottle also includes a red pin cap to prevent the tip from clogging between uses.

CA glue is commonly used to fill voids in charcuterie and serving boards. Once fully cured, it is inert.