Best Seal for DIY Canon Spongeless Refillable Cartridges – Super Glue vs. Industrial Rubber Gasket Adhesive

Question:
When modifying Canon PG-240, CL-241, PG-245, and CL-246 cartridges to make them spongeless and refillable, would using an industrial-strength rubber gasket adhesive create a better seal than super gluing it, ensuring a perfect seal on the first try?

Answer:
Your question touches on one of the most essential parts of building spongeless refillable Canon cartridges: achieving a long-lasting, leak-proof seal. In the video you referenced, How to Start Making Canon Spongeless Refillable Cartridges: PG-240 CL-241 PG-245 CL-246, we walk through the basic process of converting used cartridges into refillables, but adhesive choice is indeed a point where methods can differ.

Super Glue (Cyanoacrylate) – Pros and Cons

Advantages:

• Bonds quickly, usually within seconds.

• Easy to apply in small spaces without special equipment.

Drawbacks:

• Creates a rigid bond that doesn’t flex—this can lead to micro-cracks if the cartridge experiences internal pressure changes.

• Can become brittle over time, especially with exposure to heat or solvent-rich ink vapors.

• Leaves little margin for error—if applied unevenly, the bond can be incomplete or weak.

Industrial Rubber Gasket Adhesive – Pros and Cons

Advantages:

• Designed to bond rubber to plastics or metals while remaining flexible after curing.

• Highly resistant to temperature changes, moisture, and some solvent exposure.

• Better suited for seals that may experience slight movement or expansion/contraction.

Notable Options:

• 3M Neoprene High Performance Rubber and Gasket Adhesive 1300 – bonds well to neoprene, nitrile, and similar materials; resists water and temperatures up to ~250 °F (121 °C).

• 3M Nitrile High Performance Rubber and Gasket Adhesive 847 – slightly more fluid; works well under heat and moisture, with longer working time for precise placement.

Drawbacks:

• Requires longer curing time compared to super glue.

• More difficult to apply neatly in tight cartridge spaces.

• Usually solvent-based—requires good ventilation and protective gloves.

Which Should You Choose?

If your priority is long-term durability and leak resistance, an industrial rubber gasket adhesive is the better choice. Its flexibility helps the seal endure pressure changes during ink refills and use. However, keep in mind:

• You’d need to bond the gasket to the cartridge first, then attach the lid to the gasket. This creates more surfaces where alignment errors can happen.

• You’ll have to either make or source a properly sized gasket, which can add to the complexity.

• Super glue is still acceptable for quick builds if the sealing surfaces are well-prepared—smooth, flat, and evenly sanded.

For most DIY users, meticulous surface prep (sanding flat and removing debris) combined with super glue can work well enough, but for heavy use or commercial refilling operations, gasket adhesives offer superior performance over time.

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Thanks again for reaching out with such a thoughtful question. We appreciate your dedication to improving your cartridge builds and look forward to continuing to support your projects.