Can i use acetone to thin out CA? i have some thin CA that has begun to thicken a little bit, and i would like to know if there is a way to restore it without buying a new bottle.

Buy a new bottle of CA.

When thin CA thickens up, it is time to question the strength of the bond it will provide.

Is your plane worth more than the cost of a bottle of thin CA ?

well, at my climate it only takes a couple of weeks to start thickening up, so that would make no sense. i dont use it for planes mostly, as i dont have very many repairs to do. will acetone work?

I don't think it will....

just get a new bottle....and keep it in the refridgerator

I agree with Campy.... if it has thickened, I wouldn't trust it, but that is your decision

Plain and simple NO. The Acetone will react with the acrylate (thats the A in CA ), this will make the glue unstable and you will never get it to set, that is why you can use acetone to clean up CA spills and unstick your fingers and anyother appendage you glue by mistake.
Hope this helps.

While I absolutely agree that thinning a bottle of CA is a VERY BAD IDEA, I must point out (as a professional chemist) that cyanoacrylates do not react with acetone. You can make a solution of cyanoacrylate in acetone if you want to, there is no real problem with that.

The reason that thinning with acetone is a bad idea is simply that acetone is a very good solvent for both the CA monomer and the cured CA polymer. When you apply the CA to your joint, the acetone will not just vanish - some at least will be entrapped in the cured CA and it will weaken the joint. But, it does not react with the CA - it simply acts as a solvent inside the joint. That's why you can clean up CA with acetone - it dissolves the polymer.

You should ask yourself why the bottle of CA has thickened. The answer is: because it is slowly curing as it sits in the bottle. Now, this partially cured CA will not form the nice long interlocked polymer chains that you need to make a strong bond - you'll get the partial cured bits all mixed up with properly bonding material, and presto- a very weak joint.

By the way, if you keep CA in your fridge, two points: 1) keep the CA bottle inside a glass jar with a very tight-fitting lid, and put a packet of silica gel dessicant in with it to absorb moisture; and 2) when you take it out of the fridge, let it warm to room temperature before you open the outer jar because unless you live in an arid climate moisture will condense on the cold surfaces. Unlike acetone, moisture will react with CA - that's what triggers the curing process when you make a glue joint.

I would like to know if it is possible to thin the thicker versions of CA. We use a thick Loctite brand CA at work and when we change bottles in the dispenser, we always throw out at least an ounce in the bottom of the bottle, which the dispenser doesn't pick up. I've used the thick in places where I needed it, but would like to be able the thin it for other uses. Ever seen a quart bottle of CA! If you think that cleaning the tip of a 1 oz. bottle is bad, try cleaning 3 feet of hose and a automatic dispensing gun.

Nashcat

If your having problems with your CA, put it in the freezer when you are not using it and it won't thicken.

Consider buying a different brand and a different source. There is no reason it should start to thicken that quickly... unless you are storing in underwater. Maybe what you have had been sitting on a shelf somewhere for a long time before you bought it. I have a 2 oz bottle of the cheap Hobby People thin that is still thin after two years of storage in the garage with no other special storage effort, other than keeping a lid on it when it is not in use. My weather is pretty much the same as yours.