How to remove super glue residue from plastic

Super Glue is a fast drying and extremely strong bonding adhesive. These characteristics make Super Glue a favorite for craft, construction and repair work. The watery consistency and the fast drying of the glue can cause unintended spills and bonds. Removing Super Glue from clear plastic requires acetone. Acetone is found in common nail polish remover and is Super Glue's weakness according to The Original Super Glue website.

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Step 1

Apply acetone nail polish remover to a clean cotton swab.

Step 2

Rub the cotton swab briskly over the dried Super Glue. The acetone will soften the glue and begin to remove it.

Step 3

Scrape the edges of the glue with a plastic ID card. The edge of a spoon, a compact disk case or a spatula. Scrape and peel up as much of the glue from the plastic as you can.

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Step 4

Reapply acetone nail polish remover to the glue to soften it again as often as necessary, before scraping more of the glue off.

Step 5

Wash and rinse the plastic with warm water and mild soap after removing all of the glue to get rid of any acetone residue.

Super glue is a popular tool for repairing various kinds of damage. Cracks and other breakages become easily fixed with only several drops of it. Another good thing about this adhesive is that it can be applied to numerous surfaces and materials like glass, plastic, wood, ceramic, leather, and even metal!

However, the bad side of it is that super glue is extremely sticky, and removing super glue residue is pretty hard once it’s dry.

Today we will tell how to remove super glue from plastic and also share the list of what removes super glue.

Keep that in mind for the future!

What Does Super Glue Fix?

Super glue is famous for its ability to repair things fast and properly. Everyone knows that a crack on a vase will be fixed in the blink of an eye with only two drops of this magical liquid!

And while someone is struggling to remove super glue, others enjoy its benefits.

A great beneficial trait of it is that super glue can be used for repairing various materials.

It works perfectly on wood, plastic, glass, leather, metal, ceramic, and many other surfaces.

But what really makes this adhesive irreplaceable us the variety of areas where we can apply it for fixing things!

  • Repairing minor tears on a car upholstery
  • Fixing the handles of the tools
  • Stabilizing pieces of wood for hammering them together
  • Repairing shoes
  • Sealing hose
  • Repairing tents
  • Fixing accessories
  • Repairing fraying cords

One can even use it as a protection for the fingers when working on something that can harm the skin! For instance, covering our fingertips with a thin super glue layer will protect them from scratches, splinters, and small cuts! Besides, such “gloves” can be easily removed with acetone.

Nevertheless, a question of how to dissolve super glue is still essential since dealing with a gooey blot is quite a different thing.

How to remove super glue residue from plastic
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What Makes Super Glue So Sticky?

Since removing super glue may be quite problematic, let’s figure out why in fact it is so hard to dissolve in certain situations.

Those who work with this adhesive often enough probably already noticed that super glue is much stronger compared to other adhesives. 

How to remove super glue residue from plastic
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The thing is that it contains an acrylic resin which is able to create the strongest bond instantly. The joint is made due to the exposure of humidity, either in the air or as water traces on the surface that must be glued.

That is why it is so hard to remove super glue since it will anyway get in contact if not with water than with the air for sure and will stick.

For the same reason, everyone must know how to remove dry super glue, especially from the skin, since this adhesive may cause burns if spilled on our hands and it may be quite painful to remove super glue residue in this case.

How to Get Super Glue Off The Skin

How to remove super glue residue from plastic
Remove super glue from hand skin without acetone or nail polish remover – House keeper

It’s essential to act fast so choose the method that takes less time.

  • If the adhesive isn’t hard completely, wet the damaged zone in soapy water. Keep the damaged zone there for 10 min until the adhesive is compliant and carefully peel it away.
  • Acetone also works well.
  • For more complicated cases, go for a pumice stone to soften the adhesive previously wetting the harmed zone with the soapy blend.

Never pull the stuck fingers apart with a sudden move, otherwise, it will harm the skin! Also, treat the adhesive spill carefully to prevent skin irritation.

What Removes Super Glue From Plastic?

How to remove super glue residue from plastic
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Taking the gooey blot away is necessary since superglue tends to harden very fast and after it’s dry, successful removal will be much harder to make.

Of course, everyone wants to know what superglue remover works best!

Hanging upon the surface the adhesive was spilled, try the nail polish remover, rubbing alcohol or even vodka! Another non-chemical decision is vinegar.

But as for the super glue remover from plastic, one must be careful.

Since super glue makes a plastic layer when drying, the means that remove super glue from plastic get through this plastic blot. Respectively, there’s a high risk of ruining the surface.

For this reason, use other, less aggressive means for dealing with this adhesive on plastic to prevent the ruination.

How Do You Remove Super Glue From Plastic?

How to remove super glue residue from plastic
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In case you decided to use a more friendly approach, be ready to spend some time and effort. This way of how to remove super glue off the plastic will require your patience. 

  • Prepare some H2O, soap, plastic wrap, rubbing alcohol, napkins, cloth, and a deep tank
  • Blend together H2O and soap
  • Moisten a napkin with the blend and spread it out over the harmed zone. Cover with polyethylene film to protect from drying, and leave. This method will help to dissolve super glue from plastic, for this reason, the adhesive must remain properly moistened for a long period of time
  • Once the adhesive is emolliated, clean super glue off the plastic 
  • Reiterate the procedure until the adhesive is gone
How to remove super glue residue from plastic
How to Remove Superglue from Plastic

This is the best way to remove super glue from plastic without causing harm. 

To know how to remove super glue from vinyl, use a different way.

  • Wet the adhesive with pure acetone until it begins to emolliate
  • Take away the adhesive when it’s compliant enough
  • Keep on working until the adhesive is totally gone
  • Wipe the damaged zone with the watered cloth to delete the rest of acetone

And remember that it tends to change the color of plastic items and also coloring, so be careful!

How to remove super glue residue from plastic
Photo by Nefeli Kavvada on Unsplash

To be absolutely sure that there is nothing unknown left, memorize handy life hacks regarding the superglue removal.

How to remove dried super glue from plastic?

First of all, make the adhesive soft, otherwise, it will be impossible to delete it.

Start with wetting the adhesive spill with soapy warm water. When the gooey mark is emolliated, blot it up carefully.

How do you get super glue off plastic without acetone?

A nitromethane component is milder than acetone, but stronger than soapy water. Use it to remove super glue from plastic in the same way as acetone. You can find this de-bonding agent at hobby stores, where it's also called a de-glue solution.

Can vinegar remove super glue from plastic?

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.

Does WD 40 remove super glue from plastic?

If you've ever wanted to know how to remove super glue quickly and easily, just reach for the can of WD-40 Multi-Use Product you probably have in your cupboard. Simply spray it on, wait a minute to allow it to penetrate the adhesive, and either scrape the sticker off or wipe the residue away with a soft cloth.

What dissolves super glue fast?

Here are several common household products that will help you get super glue off just about anything:.
Acetone/nail polish remover. ... .
Rubbing alcohol. ... .
Vinegar. ... .
Sandpaper. ... .
Nail file/emery board. ... .
Coconut oil and baking soda. ... .
Hot, soapy water..