Why/when would you use UV cure vs zap-a-gap or superglue?

[Josh]

Why/when would one use UV cure on a fly instead of just a drop of zap a gap or superglue? Does anyone use UV cure on finishing wraps to keep things from coming apart? Or is that just a zap-a-gap sort of thing?

Pretend I'm an idiot about fly tying (because I am).

 

[Matt B]

Why/when would one use UV cure on a fly instead of just a drop of zap a gap or superglue? Does anyone use UV cure on finishing wraps to keep things from coming apart? Or is that just a zap-a-gap sort of thing?

Pretend I'm an idiot about fly tying (because I am).

I will use UV cure on a fly head when I want it to look more built up and glossy. I will use it on fly bodies. And I’ll use it if it’s just out and convenient and the superglue is not.

 

[mcswny]

Can I add on another question? What’s the difference between zap a gap and superglue? Why should I buy zap over superglue and is the inflated fly shop price worth it?

 

[Stonedfish]

I use super glue to bond things together like dumbbell eyes to a hook shank.
I use UV cure to coat things like fly heads, bodies, shell backs etc.
SF

 

[Mike Cline]

Zap a Gap vs. Super Glue | Extensive Analysis – Sticky Aide

www.stickyaide.com

UV resin is excellent for building shiny, full heads (thread wrapped, over flat or dome eyes or masks), especially on large streamers or saltwater flies. Super glue works well in many cases, but should be avoided (from my experience) when you apply an adhesive to an area with rubber or vinyl legs. Will cause the rubber or vinyl to become brittle and break. Use Sally Hansen nail polish on those areas.

 

[SurfnFish]

translucence - giving chironamids a thin coat of clear UV as a last step provides extra 'depth' to them when submerged.

 

[_WW_]

One is a glue and one is a coating.

 

[Josh]

One is a glue and one is a coating.

Did a bit of googling after reading your comment and found this, which is pretty informative:

What is the difference between UV resin and UV glue? - Longchang Chemical

What is the difference between UV resin and UV glue? UV resin and UV glue are two different chemical. UV resin is an oligomer and is used as a solvent and coating, while UV glue is a prepolymer of 30-50% acrylate and is used as an adhesive. 1. UV resin, also known as […]

longchangchemical.com

 

[Zak]

I use mostly Locktite gel control in the blue bottle and Sally Hanson's.

The UV resins are cool, but the fumes make my throat feel weird.

 

[Northern]

I use mostly Locktite gel control in the blue bottle and Sally Hanson's.

The UV resins are cool, but the fumes make my throat feel weird.

Yep - Loctite gel for securing whip finishes or half hitches, particularly if they're not going to be visible (like tight behind a bead or cone.) I coat about 2cm of thread closest to the fly, then do a couple wraps & 2-3 hitches quickly. Also used to secure hidden underpinnings like dumbells, under maylar body wraps, etc.

Sally Hanson's to secure small, visible heads that benefit from a glossy finish.

UV resin for bigger heads, either coated or built up. Finish those off with InstaDry clear nail polish to coat over any tack or oily resin residue.

Zak - are you using Solarez UV, by any chance? I have a significant contact allergic rxn to that, but not to any other brand I've tried.

 

[Zak]

Yep - Loctite gel for securing whip finishes or half hitches, particularly if they're not going to be visible (like tight behind a bead or cone.) I coat about 2cm of thread closest to the fly, then do a couple wraps & 2-3 hitches quickly. Also used to secure hidden underpinnings like dumbells, under maylar body wraps, etc.

Sally Hanson's to secure a small, visible heads that benefit from a glossy finish.

UV resin for bigger heads, either coated or built up. Finish those off with InstaDry clear nail polish to coat over any tack or oily resin residue.

Zak - are you using Solarez UV, by any chance? I have a significant contact allergic rxn to that, but not to any other brand I've tried.

I am not using Solarez. I was using Loon resin for a while and that was fine and then I started using Gulff. Gullf worked fine for a while but I hadn't used any UV for months and a couple days ago I coated a buzzer in Gulff and it made my throat irritated when I cured it. I probably should have had a window open for ventilation...

 

[Northern]

I am not using Solarez. I was using Loon resin for a while and that was fine and then I started using Gulff. Gullf worked fine for a while but I hadn't used any UV for months and a couple days ago I coated a buzzer in Gulff and it made my throat irritated when I cured it. I probably should have had a window open for ventilation...

Both of those are ok for me, but I do make an effort not to huff them!

 

[Shad]

I find UV resin (the "flow" hardness) to be ideal for finishing flies and for adding durability, rigidity, and UV flash to otherwise delicate or boring parts of flies. Super glue is best for simple adhesion within the body of the fly, IMO. As a head cement it kind of sucks because it doesn't dry pretty like UV and tends to become brittle, which is not what you want in the part of your fly that holds the whole thing together.

I've never worked with Sally Hansen, but I hear it's quite versatile and strong....

 

[Shad]

And yes, avoid breathing in the fumes from curing UV resin. Lots of people are allergic to those fumes, and even if you're not, it can't be a great idea to expose yourself to that chemical reaction frequently.

 

[Northern]

I find UV resin (the "flow" hardness) to be ideal for finishing flies and for adding durability, rigidity, and UV flash to otherwise delicate or boring parts of flies. Super glue is best for simple adhesion within the body of the fly, IMO. As a head cement it kind of sucks because it doesn't dry pretty like UV and tends to become brittle, which is not what you want in the part of your fly that holds the whole thing together.

I've never worked with Sally Hansen, but I hear it's quite versatile and strong....

I'm pretty sure "Hard as Hull" - the blue bottle in fly shops, is identical to SHHAN

 

[Matt B]

I think zap a gap is just a gel cyanoacrylate superglue with a nifty applicator and a good deal with the fly shop distributors. It’s useful but I like gorilla glue gel superglue too. But my favorite superglue for tying flies is Loctite brush on superglue.

 

[mcswny]

I think zap a gap is just a gel cyanoacrylate superglue with a nifty applicator and a good deal with the fly shop distributors. It’s useful but I like gorilla glue gel superglue too. But my favorite superglue for tying flies is Loctite brush on superglue.

I read a couple of those “what’s the difference” articles and the biggest difference is zap is flexible whereas super glue is brittle

 

[J Watrous]

Why/when would one use UV cure on a fly instead of just a drop of zap a gap or superglue? Does anyone use UV cure on finishing wraps to keep things from coming apart? Or is that just a zap-a-gap sort of thing?

Pretend I'm an idiot about fly tying (because I am).

Lately I’ve been putting uv resin on the fly, winding on hackle or marabou, and then when I’m good and ready I’ll hit it with a uv light. Can’t do that with other cements and glues.

Also good for building scud or shrimp bodies, surf candy, etc.

I do use the thin bone dry resin for head cement as it or the flashlight is already at hand.

I also like the lack of odor vs zap or super or sally hansen’s.

 

[Northern]

I also picked up a small UV nail dryer thing from my local Goodwill. They're used for acrylic fingernails/UV polish at salons. It's a box with one open side, uv lamps inside, and a 2-3 min timer. I can stick a fly on a piece of foam, put it inside and let it set really well while I start the next one.

 

[Matt B]

I also picked up a small UV nail dryer thing from my local Goodwill. They're used for acrylic fingernails/UV polish at salons. It's a box with one open side, uv lamps inside, and a 2-3 min timer. I can stick a fly on a piece of foam, put it inside and let it set really well while I start the next one.
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Great tip! I didn’t know these exist. Because I don’t get my nails did. But it’s always good to know the non fly tying BS markup option.