How to Remove Super Glue from Plastic

Once super glue is on something, you may think nothing is going to get it off. This is not always the case because it can be removed from nearly every metal, counter, plastic and skin with a little patience and effort. When you accidentally get super glue on plastic there is a method that can be used to get it close to its original condition by using a very common household product, rubbing alcohol.

Rubbing alcohol is an acid that can eat the super glue in a short amount of time. In a situation where your trying to save plastic surfaces, you will want to avoid using acetone because it could more easily eat the structure of the plastic your trying to save. Be sure that you do not use a percent mixture of potency in the rubbing alcohol above 70 percent because it can eat many different grades of plastic, turning your glue issue into a melted plastic blob.

Step 1 - Apply Alcohol to the Cotton Swab

Apply a dab of rubbing alcohol to a cotton swab and lightly apply it to the spot of unwanted super glue. Keep applying it until the glue begins to disappear. The process is delicate to some plastics so you will want to monitor it closely to make sure that it does not eat away the plastic your trying to save. Keep applying the rubbing alcohol to the area and watch as it slowly starts to eat away the glue. The reason for this is that the acid in the rubbing alcohol eats glue's base molecules through a chemical reaction. Most often, there are fumes, so be sure to allow plenty of ventilation to avoid breathing the fumes and becoming sick.

Step 2 - Clean Up the Residue

Use a wet rag once the super glue is gone to clean up the area. You can also use a second swab with rubbing alcohol to clean up and residual stains or marks on the plastic before finishing up. Then simply take a damp rag and clean the final mess. If this is on a keyboard or electrical device, be sure not to apply to many liquids as to avoid ruining electrical devices. Excess liquid can be controlled by keeping a second dry cloth to soak up unwanted liquids. Be sure to use rags handy because the alcohol can bleach, or stain, certain fabrics from its acidic qualities and create instability in the threads.

Step 3 - Removing Thick Globs of Glue

If the super glue is concentrated into a thick glob, you can use an old toothbrush with a dab of the rubbing alcohol on it to slowly rub or brush the thicker concentration of glue off faster. If you have full access to holding and moving the piece your trying to clean up, this can be a much more efficient way of getting the glue to come free. Again, once the bulk of the glue is gone, follow the same process to clean up any residual stains left behind with running alcohol and water.