Super glue has long been the go-to product for repairing just about anything. It is strong and bonds pieces of broken items together, and it only takes a little bit of super glue for each repair. When people use super glue, they can accidentally get it on something it doesn’t belong on. Fortunately, there are ways to remove super glue from just about anything, but you need to know the methods for different products. Continue reading to learn how to remove super glue from different items.
Table of Contents
How to Remove Super Glue From Plastic
It can be challenging to remove super glue from plastic because when super glue dries, it is plastic. Most methods you would use to remove the super glue would actually eat through the plastic item as well. You will need to use a different method. It is more time-consuming, but it won’t damage your plastic item.
You will need the following supplies to remove super glue from plastic:
- Water
- Soap
- Plastic wrap
- Tape
- Rubbing alcohol
- Cotton balls
- Paper towels
- Soft cloths
- Large bowl
When you have all of your supplies, you can follow these steps to remove the super glue:
1. Mix the soap and water in a large bowl.
2. Wet your soft cloth in the soapy solution.
3. Place the cloth over the super glue.
4. Cover the plastic and the wet cloth with plastic wrap and tape it around the edges to seal it.
5. Let it sit for three to four hours.
6. Remove the plastic wrap and cloth.
7. Blot the super glue with a clean soft cloth.
8. Continue until the super glue has all been removed.
9. Take a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol for any remaining spots of glue.
10. Blot the spot with a soft cloth until the remaining glue has been removed.
11. Wipe the plastic with a cloth and warm water.
12. Dry completely.
Video: How to get off super glue from plastic
How to Remove Super Glue From Skin
If you get some super glue on your skin, you don’t need to worry because you can remove it. You need a few basic supplies, including the following:
- Warm water
- Mild soap
- Soft cloth
- Acetone (nail polish remover)
- Cotton ball
- Lotion
Follow these steps to remove the super glue from your skin:
1. Put the acetone on the cotton ball and blot the super glue on your skin.
2. As you feel the glue soften, make sure that you carefully pull fingers apart.
3. If possible, soak the skin in warm water with soap.
4. Gently rub with a wet soft cloth until the super glue is all removed.
5. Apply lotion so that your skin retains its moisture.
Video: How do you get super glue off your skin with acetone
How to Remove Super Glue From Nails
When you are gluing small, fragile items with super glue, it is easy to get a spot of it on your nails. You can remove it using the following supplies:
- Acetone (nail polish remover)
- Petroleum jelly
- Cotton ball
- Cuticle pusher
- Q-tip
Now, you can follow these steps:
1. Put petroleum jelly on your fingers around your nails. It will repel the acetone if your skin is sensitive to it.
2. Use a cotton ball and acetone to soak the super glue on your nail.
3. Use a cuticle scraper to remove the softened super glue.
4. Use a Q-tip to get any glue under your fingernails.
5. Wash your hands with soap and water when you finish.
How to Remove Super Glue From Glass
If you get super glue on glass, you don’t want to risk damaging it by trying to scrape the glue away. You can remove it with the following supplies:
- Acetone
- Soft cloths
- Razor blade
Once you have your supplies, you can follow these steps:
1. Soak the soft cloth in acetone and place it on the glass.
2. Let it sit until it softens the glue.
3. Use the razor blade to peel the glue.
4. Once it is gone, wipe the glass clean.
How to Remove Super Glue From Metal
Sometimes, people end up with super glue on metal, and they need to remove it. If this happens to you, you can start by gathering these supplies:
- Acetone
- Soft cloths
- Razor blade
It is a simple process to remove the super glue. Follow these steps:
1. Soak a soft cloth with acetone.
2. Let it sit until the super glue is soft.
3. Use the razor blade to lift the glue from the metal.
4. Wipe the metal clean with a clean soft cloth.
How to Remove Super Glue From Clothes
If you get super glue on your favorite outfit, you might think you need to rub it off before it dries. The fact is that it is easier to remove it once you let it dry. Trying to get rid of it when the glue is still wet can actually rub it into the fabric and make it much more difficult to get rid of it.
Once you let the super glue dry, gather the following supplies:
- Cotton balls
- Acetone
- Spoon
- Washing machine
Start off by making sure that you let the super glue dry. Then, follow these steps:
1. Let the super glue dry completely.
2. Use the spoon to try to scrape the glue off of the surface of the fabric. Be gentle.
3. Put acetone on a cotton ball and test the inside of the fabric by dabbing.
4. If there is no adverse reaction, then dab the super glue with the cotton ball to loosen the bond.
5. When the glue has softened, gently lift it off of the fabric.
6. Check your label, and if it is okay, wash your clothing with the highest heat setting it can handle.
7. Follow care directions for drying your article of clothing.
How to Remove Super Glue From Countertop
If you spill some super glue on your countertop, acetone will help you remove it. First, you should gather the following supplies:
- Soft cloth
- Acetone
- Soap
- Razor blade
If the super glue is still wet, you can put acetone on a damp cloth and wipe it up. If it has dried, you will want to follow these steps:
1. Soak the cloth in acetone.
2. Once it is soft, gently peel it off the countertop.
3. Use a razor blade to remove the remaining super glue.
4. This method will not damage natural stone.
5. Wipe your counter down with warm water.
How to Remove Super Glue From Wood
People often spill super glue on their wood tables, or it may leak out of something you are repairing. You can remove super glue from wood using the following supplies:
- Acetone
- Cotton ball
- Soft cloth
Once you have your supplies, follow these steps:
1. Apply the acetone to the cotton ball.
2. Blot the super glue until it is soft.
3. Continue blotting as you lift the super glue off the wood.
4. Wet the soft cloth with warm water and wipe the area clean.
How to Remove Super Glue From Car Paint
Getting super glue on your car’s exterior can be very upsetting, but there is a way to remove the glue. First, you need to gather the following supplies:
- Acetone
- Warm water
- Hand cream
- Dish soap
- Cloth
Once you have your supplies, it is time to get started. Follow these steps:
1. Wash the area with warm water and a soft cloth.
2. Mix mild dish soap with hand cream and place it on the soft cloth.
3. Gently apply it to the super glue.
4. Blot the spot until the glue softens and lifts off the car.
5. Be patient because if you try to rush the process, you can lift the paint.
6. If you are having trouble, place some acetone on the cloth, and blot the difficult area.
With car paint, you need to use very little acetone because it can damage the car paint. If you do, you will have to repaint the area. The acetone can also remove wax, so you will need to wax the area again. You should take the time to remove the glue with the solution of mild dish soap and hand cream, and only use a drop of acetone on difficult areas.
FAQ Section
Does WD-40 Remove Super Glue?
Many people have used WD-40 to remove the sticky residue left behind by stickers. You can also use it to remove super glue. It works by spraying it on the area. Then, you let it sit long enough to penetrate, and you can scrape the glue away or wipe it with a soft cloth.
You can use it on different surfaces, including wood. You can use it on metal, glass, and plastic, but you should avoid using it on delicate objects such as your clothing. It is a great alternative to acetone for removing super glue.
Can Vinegar Remove Super Glue?
Vinegar can also remove super glue from different surfaces, including countertops, plastic, and glass. You simply use the white vinegar in place of acetone, and soak the area that is affected.
Then, gently rub or use a razor blade, a credit card, or a spatula to scrape the glue away. It takes longer than acetone, but it is a natural product that works well.
Does Vaseline Remove Super Glue?
You can use Vaseline or petroleum jelly to remove super glue from your skin. It works as a great option for people who have sensitive skin because acetone can burn. You will start by washing your skin with warm water and soap.
Then, rub the Vaseline on the affected area. You should use a generous amount of Vaseline to thoroughly cover the area. Then, rub it until the super glue releases and lifts off of your skin. You can also use it on sensitive areas such as your lips. It will help to reduce the bond made by the glue.
Are There Other Products That Remove Super Glue?
There are many different common household products that you can use to soften and eliminate the bonds formed by super glue. It is important to make sure that you choose a product that won’t harm the item during the removal. Mild soap and warm water will always be gentle, but you can choose any of the following products:
- Coconut oil and baking soda: Make a paste with these two products and let it sit on your skin for 15 minutes. Then, rub your hands until the super glue is completely gone.
- Salt and warm water: Dip fingers with super glue in a mixture of warm water and salt and rub them together to remove super glue.
- Margarine or butter: You can apply margarine or butter to the super glue to soften it. Then, wash with warm water and mild soap.
- Olive oil: It takes longer than other products, but you can use it to rub the glue loose. Then, wash with warm water and mild soap.
- Laundry detergent: You can remove a stain from super glue with laundry detergent, especially on your clothing. Once you remove the super glue, you can place laundry detergent directly on the stain before you wash it in hot water.
- Lemon juice: You can use lemon juice on skin and other materials. Use a cotton swab or a cloth to dab it onto the affected area. Then, wipe it clean with warm water.
- Sandpaper: You can use sandpaper to remove super glue, but you need to be careful because you can damage the material underneath. Mark off the area with masking tape, and gently sand the top of the super glue area. Then, wipe the rest with a cloth and warm water.
- Neosporin: If you have neosporin in your medicine cabinet, you can use it the same way you would Vaseline.
- Nail file: If you want to scrape the super glue off, a nail file will work similar to sandpaper. You need to make sure that you don’t damage the item underneath the glue.
- Hand lotion: You can use hand lotion on your skin or clothing. Rub it in gentle circles to loosen the super glue. Then, you need to wash with mild soap and warm water.
- Rubbing alcohol: You can use rubbing alcohol in place of acetone for any of the items that take acetone to remove super glue.
- Peanut butter: The oils in peanut butter will break down the super glue bonds. You can use it on your fingers, your countertops, and other surfaces. Once you remove the glue, wipe the area with a soft cloth and warm water.
Is it bad if you get super glue on your fingers?
Super glue sticks to your fingers or any skin, the same way as it does to surfaces. If you try to pull super glued fingers apart, it might cause it to tear. Luckly super glue on fingers or skin is not lasting, and will dissolve on its own after a few days.
