I am having allergic reactions to CA glue whenever I use it in my builds.  I get a runny nose, sneeze and have these symptoms for a day or so after using CA.  Is this a common reaction to use of CA for many modelers?  And, is it the direct contact with the CA, the breathing of the fumes, breathing of the sanding dust with CA residue on it that causes the reaction? 

Can gloves, respirators, etc, help?  I use sanding dust collection fan systems, ventilate my build room, wear dust masks while sanding and take other basic health precautions, but the allergy symptoms seem to still appear.


I am transitioning to using sig bond aliphatic glue, and sig-ment as they are available from the local hobby shop.  What glues would you suggest if I have to abandon all CA use?


Thanks for the advice. 


By the way, I have a Midwest BF-109 kit all put together ready to cover and finish and an old Smoothie model in final build on the board, so I need some ideas so I can cut down on my Kleenex use.


Steve Holt

Secretary / Treasurer
Northwest Skyraiders Control Line Model Airplane Club
Seattle, WA

There are CA glues that don't do that.  Look for "low odor" or some such on the label.

Yes, "odorless". We use it for foam indoor models. But it is slow, normal work will need activator, also specific for that type pf glue, not standard CA activator.

http://bsi-inc.com/hobby/super_gold.html

I thought CA was getting to me, I'd get the stuffy nose and sneezing in the middle of the night and the next morning.  turns out it was the balsa dust, as I'd get it just spending a couple hours sanding!  my work area isn't exactly well ventilated...  I started wearing a disposable respirator when doing the sanding, voila!

I hate it when my girlfriend is right.....

Gentlemen,

Thanks to each of you for your replies.  I had heard of such allergies but assumed that I would never experience the same.  Wrong again!

I am having good luck with the Sig Bond Aliphatic glue with no smells in the shop or allergic reactions.  It just takes a lot more time to build.  The cleanup of any excess is easy and if you plan your build well, sig bond will work.


Are there other non allergenic glues that would set up a bit faster than sig bond?  I have heard some of the tite-bond glues, specifically type 2 and type 3 work quite well.  Do you have any thoughts on these or other options?  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I used to use a lot of CA in construction of model planes, especially after watching a video of its use.   He used only regular CA.   I lost count of how many flights I had on the plane before after several years of flying it I sold it.   For laminations you had to punch/drill holes in one of the sheets.   Even the engine mounts used CA.   But as stated started getting sinus problems and now only use it sparingly.   Elmers is my glue of choice.