4 Tips for Removing Dried Super Glue

It doesn't matter if you get super glue stuck to wood, glass, metal, tabletops or any other unwanted area in your home, because it can be removed with some time, patience and the glues natural enemy, acetone. This chemical is actually nontoxic and we metabolize it naturally in our bodies. It is safe for exposures up to 500 ppm. It can be found in many household cleaners, and in some types of finger nail polish.

1. Certain Types of Surfaces Need to have Different Methods Applied

It depends on the type of material that you get super glue on as to how to properly deal with the situation. Acetone works great as an erosive agent to super glue, but it can also eat paint, as well as your fake fingernails. It can stain wood surfaces that are not lamented and leave stains behind where the glue has been. With metal and glass surfaces, you can switch between acetone and razor edges or even a hammer to loosen its grip on the material.

2. The Natural Enemy of Super Glue

Acetone is the natural enemy of super glue and can be used without issue in many situations where it has gotten dried and stuck onto surfaces where it was not wanted. You want exert caution when trying to apply acetone to wood surfaces, and avoid too much liquid in the case of removing it from plastic electronics, like keyboards or calculators. Acetone can be found in household cleaners and is a common ingredient in nail polish remover. Be sure to check the product label for a list of ingredients to ensure that it is in the list. As an example, some nail polish removers do not contain acetone, as it will damage fake nails by eating the glue that holds them on.

3. Check Your Product Labels

Again, checking product labels in your home will let you know if any products contain acetone. If you find something that does contain acetone, be sure that if it is an abrasive formula you exert caution when applying it to painted or stained wooden surfaces. You don't have to show as much caution with metal, obviously, and can use the acetone and a hammer to lightly squash and break up the glue. On a glass surface, you would combine light usage of the chemical and a razor blade or other flat window scraping tool.

4. Some Glued Objects Require More Effort than Others

Either way, when removing super glue you will want to exert caution, depending on what type of surface you have the glue stuck to. It may very well take some time and effort to work it free, but with some perseverance and patience, you will soon be glue-free. You can use a damp rag with acetone on it to clean up any residuals on glass, metal or plastic afterward to avoid having a nasty ring or stain to remind you of the incident down the road.