Knowing how to remove super glue is essential when working with powerful adhesives. If they get on your skin, your projects, or your work area, you will have to deal with it the right way. The following guide will help you quickly get unstuck and back on track with your latest job.
How to remove super glue
Super glue can work wonders on everything from home fix-ups to your latest craft project. However, it can be really frustrating when it gets on surfaces it’s not supposed to.
If this happens, don’t worry: our guide explains everything you need to know to get super glue, super glue stains, and super glue residue off your skin, out of your work area, and away from your projects.
Super glue can save you in a pinch during all your projects. Powerful adhesives like Loctite Super Glue Liquid Professional work faster and have a stronger hold on most surfaces than normal instant adhesives thanks to patented additives. Unfortunately, removing super glue from your skin can be a challenge since it dries so quickly. Follow our easy steps for removing super glue, and you’ll be unstuck and back to your projects in no time.
Check out this quick video to learn more about Loctite Control Gel Super Glue:
How to remove super glue from skin
Cyanoacrylate glues like Loctite Super Glue Liquid are specially formulated to create powerful, durable bonds with all kinds of surfaces. Unfortunately, that means it can also bond to your skin. But knowing how to get super glue off skin does the trick:
- Begin by soaking your skin in warm, soapy water as soon as possible. This will soften the glue.
- Dip the affected area in an acetone-based nail polish remover. Let the area dry.
- Use a nail emery board to remove the glue.
Watch this video for more information on how to remove super glue from fingers.
How to remove super glue stains from your work area
Working with super glue can sometimes leave you with a messy work area. Here’s how to remove super glue residue so you can get back to your latest job.
- Add a small amount of acetone-based nail polish remover to a clean cloth. Make sure it won’t damage your affected surface by spot-treating an inconspicuous area.
- Apply to the surface. Wait 10 minutes to see if the acetone is too harsh for the surface. If it’s not, reapply acetone to the cloth and dab the liquid onto the dried super glue.
- Gently scrub off any residue with a soft-bristle toothbrush, adding more acetone as needed. Make sure to proceed slowly.
- Once the stain is gone, dampen a clean cloth with water, and dab the area to remove any remaining acetone. Finally, use a clean cloth to dry.
How to remove super glue residue
Loctite Super Glue Ultra Liquid Control comes in a patented side-squeeze design for maximum control, and its ultra-control applicator allows for unmatched precision to prevent stains.
But no matter how careful you are, spills and overflow sometimes just happen. Here’s how to remove super glue residue from metal, wood, plastic, or fabric.
For metal: Try acetone [jump mark to “How to remove super glue stains from your work area”], commonly found in nail polish remover. If that does not work, give your metal project a 30 minutes soak in a 2:1 mix of water and white vinegar. Now try to remove the residue with a rough cloth or fine sandpaper.
For wood: Try the nail polish remover trick again. Alternately, use coconut oil or olive oil. Once the glued area has detached, scrub the entire affected area with fine sandpaper.
For plastic: Lay a damp cloth over the glued area and secure it tightly. Alternately, soak the glue in vegetable oil or diluted vinegar. Let it sit for a few hours to allow the glue to moisten. Blot the glue with acetone or rubbing alcohol and let this substance break down the glue. Clear away with a damp cloth.
For fabric: Use acetone, but test sparingly first to avoid potential damage. Once the adhesive bond has begun to break, apply a pretreatment stain remover deep into the glue. Let it sit, then wash the fabric item at a warm temperature.
No matter how careful you are, spills, overflow, and misplaced applications happen when using glue. Fortunately, to remove glue, most of the supplies you’ll need are already in your cupboard. Follow our tutorial for techniques to getting unwanted glue off metal, plastic, glass, fabric, leather, concrete, and other common materials.
No matter how careful you are, glue can end up where you don’t want it.
How to remove glue from any surface
We all occasionally get a little sloppy with our projects. Spills and overflow are possible when working with glues, epoxies, and adhesives, resulting in unwanted residues. However, powerful multipurpose super glues, like Loctite Super Glue Ultra Gel Control, can usually be removed using materials commonly found in your workshop or around your home. Save time and your surfaces by being ready to react quickly with the right know-how.
Getting unwanted glue off steel, aluminum, or other common metals requires careful attention, but doesn’t have to be a challenge. Here’s some simple tips for how to remove glue from metal.
- Always begin by cleaning away any dirt or residue from the area with water and a cloth. All techniques work better on clean surfaces.
- Soak a cleaning rag or cotton ball in pure acetone. If pure acetone isn’t handy, try nail polish remover. Press the rag or cotton against the glue until it dissolves. Wipe away thoroughly.
- Try scraping it away with a putty knife or razor blade. Be careful with this tactic to avoid scratching or scuffing the metal. Try softening the glue first with a household all-purpose cleaner.
- For a tougher alternative to acetone, experiment with denatured alcohol, lighter fluid, or hydrogen peroxide. Apply with a rag or cotton ball, hold to dissolve the glue, then wipe away.
Knowing how to remove glue from metals keeps your shop and work area clean.
How to remove glue from painted metal
Removing glue from painted metal follows a similar process but requires a bit stronger solution.
Again, start with a clean surface. Then, coat the area in question with a spray lubricant. Let it soak in, wiping away any excess on surfaces beyond the glue. Butane lighter fluid may also do the trick.
Use a plastic card, putty knife, or similar dull edge to scrape away the glue. Use firm pressure and smooth strokes until the glue is entirely removed. For some surfaces, such as car exteriors, you may want to wax the surface.
Tip! For a milder alternative to these powerful solvents, try this same method using vegetable oil.
Removing glue from painted metal might require a bit of extra care.
How to remove glue from plastic
Getting glue off plastic requires understanding your plastic. If possible, always test any product on an inconspicuous spot first to see how it reacts, as different grades of plastic will respond differently. Be sure to read product instructions for warnings.
For a gentle approach, try vegetable oil or skin moisturizer. Use a soaked cloth and dab it repeatedly, saturating the glue. Let it soak in, then clean off with a rag. Vinegar can also remove unwanted hardened glue from plastic. Soak the area using only white vinegar, then work the glue away with a credit card, spatula, or similar edge.
Plastics are everywhere, but removing glue from plastic surfaces can be tricky.
How to remove glue from glass
To remove glue from glass surfaces, try a combination of manual and chemical methods. Apply petroleum jelly, nail polish remover, vinegar, or oil (alternately, oil-based substances like mayonnaise or margarine) to the area. Saturate fully and gently work the glue away with a scraper or scouring pad.
Another method for removing glue from glass, is by varying the temperature. Soak the area with warm water, then scrape away glue. Soaking the glass overnight in hot soapy water can also help loosen the adhesive. If this doesn’t work, try acetone or alcohol, testing on a small area first in case of damage to the glass.
Working with glass, and keeping it clean, is easy if you know how to remove glue from glass.
How to remove glue from fabric
To get stubborn super glue stains or spills out of fabric, begin by trying to scrape off as much glue as you can, using a gentle touch so as not to stretch or tear fabric. Soak the fabric overnight in cold water.
After soaking, apply a small amount of liquid laundry detergent into the glue and massage it in with a soft brush. Wash the fabric as normal in warm water. If the glue persists, try applying acetone on a cotton ball and working it into the glue. Be mindful with delicate fabrics, as acetone can cause discoloration. Wash again on the warm cycle.
Get glue out of your rugs, clothing, and other fabrics with common household products.
How to remove glue from leather
Removing glue from leather, or similar materials such as suede, takes a light touch.
Begin by scraping the glue gently with a dull edge to remove as much material as you can without damaging the leather. Apply warm soapy water with a sponge, soaking the glue with suds. Wipe with a clean, dry cloth, repeating as necessary.
If the glue still sticks, try the acetone method. Dab a cotton ball soaked with acetone-based nail polish remover on the glue, being careful not to smear it. Allow it to permeate and loosen the glue, then wipe it away with a cloth.
Leather glue can be removed easily.
How to remove glue from concrete
All-purpose adhesives, like Loctite Extreme Glue, create durable, water-resistant bonds with concrete. Barring a precise application, you might end up with unwanted glue on your concrete. Fear not, removing the glue is easy.
Begin by physically removing the hardened glue with a putty knife, or similar dull edge. For working on concrete floors, you can also try a long-handle razor blade scraper.
Boiling water can soften the glue. Try just hot water first, working it into the glue and washing it away. For stubborn glue, try mixing in a small amount of ammonia with dish detergent and scrubbing.
Heat it up! For glue stuck to floors, try warming it up using an iron. Cover the glue with kitchen paper and glide the iron over the area, then pry the loosened glue away.
Floors and other concrete surfaces can require tough measures when removing glue.