Super glues are known for their super quick curing time and amazing bonds. If applied correctly, they are very useful for tons of different projects around the house.
However, if you accidentally apply them to places you didn’t intend to, these quick curing features can become a problem. Especially if you glued your glasses, windows, or any other type of glass.
In this article, we will help you remove the superglue from the glass without any scratches. All you need is a little patience and a few tools.
How To Remove Super Glue From Glass Without Any Scratches
Cyanoacrylate adhesives or superglues, as they are commonly known, are the fastest-setting adhesives on the market. The best models have curring times of just 10 seconds! That’s extremely fast!
If you don’t react quickly, the glue residue will dry and become much more difficult to remove. That’s why we always advise having the tools for glue removal in hand so that you can react quickly.
With that being said, you’re probably reading this article because you already glued some glass, and the super glue has most likely hardened. We will now give you tips on how to most effectively remove the super glue without leaving any scratches or damage to your glass.
Warm Water & Soap
99% of us will have these two in our houses, so it’s always best to try removing the superglue with some warm soapy water first before moving forward.
- Pour hot water and a bit of liquid soap into a small container and mix them for half a minute.
- Try to soak the glue residue with the mixture a few times and wait for a couple of minutes. Repeat the process a few more times.
- Try scrubbing the glue gently with your nail. If the glue starts to soften, continue scraping the residue. Apply more hot water and soap if necessary.
Solvents
For superglue that has fully cured, the solvents are the best option for successful removal. We recommend that you first try acetone.
It’s important to note that the usual nail polish removers won’t work that well for removing dried superglue. You will have to use 100% acetone for the quickest and easiest removal.
You can get 100% acetone on Amazon here. This one will work for most of the super glues if the applied amount isn’t too thick.
- 🌟 PROFESSIONAL NAIL POLISH REMOVER: Our acetone 100 percent gel remover is formulated to gently remove nail polish, glitter or nail glue from your nails. Get your large 16 Fl Oz bottle that is perfect for salon or parlor use, and leave everyone’s hands ready for the next manicure!
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- Apply the 100% acetone to a cotton ball and soak the glued area for at least a minute.
- Try scraping the area with a knife or a razor blade to see if the glue started to dissolve. Be careful, and don’t apply too much pressure while scraping.
- We recommend soaking the dried super glue at least 3 to 4 times for a minimum of 60 seconds. When the glue becomes soft enough, start scrapping with a knife, old credit card, or a similar tool.
- If you still have trouble removing the glue, soak it a few more times before scraping again. Never force anything, you can damage the glass! The glue should come off easily when dissolved properly.
If you didn’t successfully remove the superglue, try our next suggestion.
For the most stubborn superglue stains, you should use a solvent designed specifically for glue removal. We recommend Goo Gone.
It is the number 1 dried glue removal and has by far the best success rate in dissolving superglues. Its specially designed formula removes even the hardest super glue brands like Gorilla or Loctite. You can check it out on Amazon here.
- #1 TRUSTED BRAND FOR REMOVING GOOEY MESSES: Try it on stickers, wax, markers, crayons, glue, tar, window decals, glitter, gum, labels and so much more
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For the application, all you need to do is:
- Apply the Goo Gone solution to a cotton ball and soak the super glue stained glass area for at least 5 minutes.
- Try scraping it with a tool to see if the glue has dissolved. If not, repeat the previous step one more time.
- The glue will most likely soften after the second application, and you can now safely but gently scrape off the superglue from the glass.
- After you have scraped the glue, remove the remaining residue with a wiping cloth and a little more Goo Gone or Acetone.
And that’s it! Your stain is now gone, and your glass stayed intact!
Safety Precautions & Additional Tips
Now that you know how to remove the super glue from the glass, you should now take a few steps before working with the super glue to prevent the same situation from happening again.
Be Prepared For The Accident
When working with superglue, you can expect to glue something that you didn’t intend to. It happens way too often to be overlooked.
Make sure to get your solvents for removal, cotton balls, and wiping cloth ready for any accidental spillage of the glue.
That way, if the glue spills, you will be in the best position to remove it instantly and prevent the whole process again.
Don’t Use Liquid Super Glues
Liquid super glues make a lot of mess. They are usually much harder to control and tend to spill a lot.
If possible, get a gel version of super glue. Gorilla and Loctite both have high viscosity gel versions of their glues that can help you be much more precise and tidy.
You can find the Gorilla Super Glue Gel on Amazon here.
- Impact Tough: Reinforced to increase impact resistance and strength
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The same version of the Loctite Super Glue Gel on Amazon here.
- Superior Performance: Cyanoacrylate super glue specially formulated to fix breaks around the home or office and hold stronger
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Cover the Vulnerable Areas With Protective Foil
Consider using a foil or protective sheet to cover the glass that can be stained by the super glue. This way, if the accident occurs, you don’t have to stop your work to get it removed, which is a great time saver as well.
If you are using prescription glasses, try wearing protective goggles on your glasses to protect them. It might be a bit inconvenient, but at least it will protect your lens from the super glue.
Conclusion
Superglues need the right tools to be dissolved from glass properly.
With a little patience and the right application of these tools, you can remove just about any super glue residue left on your glass.
Now that you know how to remove the superglue from the glass, don’t make the same mistake again, and be prepared for it next time.
