Gorilla glue is a super glue that works well for long-lasting repairs and various household projects. Known for its adhesive strength and quick-drying properties, gorilla glue is extensively used for its efficiency as a permanent glue.
Often, it can happen that while working with gorilla glue, you accidentally get some of the product on your skin or other surfaces. In this situation, it is important to know how to remove gorilla glue from skin.
Since it is a permanent adhesive, the properties and components of gorilla glue can be extremely harmful if it comes into contact with skin. As with other fast-drying adhesive products, there are multiple ways to get rid of gorilla glue from any surface.
In this article, we list all of the ways you can get rid of gorilla glue whether it is spilled on wood, glass, clothes, skin, or metal. With just a few household solvents and a little effort, you will be able to remove the adhesive in no time.
Why Gorilla Glue is Tough to Remove
As most people know, getting even normal glue on the skin can be annoying. Hence, it is easy to deduce that spilled superglue will not only be a nuisance to remove, it will also cause harm.
Typically, like most permanent adhesives, gorilla glue dries within fifty seconds. If you have managed to get some on your skin, it is advised to start removing it as soon as possible before it completely dries as this will make it much more difficult to scrape off and remove.
Dry gorilla glue is not only tough to remove, the process of removing it can be increasingly painful the longer it is left on. Moreover, gorilla glue tends to penetrate the surface it is applied to a certain depth. Naturally, this makes it even harder to remove.
All these factors make it tough to remove. However, if you read on below we provide several insights on how to remove gorilla glue from skin and other surfaces.
How to Remove Gorilla Glue From Skin
There are three main steps you can start with to remove gorilla glue from your skin:
- Wiping up when it’s still wet/tacky
Gorilla glue dries within fifty seconds, but wiping it up with a clean cloth or paper towels as soon as it spills can make removal easier. The aim is to wipe up as much as possible before it dries so that you can then wash off the residue with warm, soapy water.
- Dissolving
Acetone is sort of a magic product in situations like this. Also used in nail polish removers, acetone can easily dissolve a number of chemical substances. Use a cotton pad dipped in acetone to wipe off whatever you can, and if that doesn’t work you can directly soak the affected area in acetone.
After this is done, wash the area with soapy water thoroughly to loosen the glue and try acetone again if any residues are still present.
- Exfoliation
Abrasion or exfoliation is the final step in removing gorilla glue from your skin. You can use a readymade exfoliant or mix coconut oil with sugar and lightly scrub the area. Further, you can proceed to wash it with soapy water when done scrubbing.
Without Acetone
Some people have sensitive skin and experience skin irritation from acetone. So, how to remove gorilla glue from skin without the use of acetone? Try these simple steps:
- Mix a light abrasive like salt or baking soda and butter or coconut/olive oil to make a thick paste
- Cover the entire area affected by gorilla glue
- Let the paste rest for at least five minutes
- In circular motions, begin to rub the paste in
- Start to peel away as much of the glue as you can
- Keep adding paste and repeating the process until no glue is left
From Eyelids
Since the area around the eyes is so sensitive, it is recommended to immediately consult a medical professional in case you get gorilla glue anywhere near them. However, there are a few things you can do to try and loosen the glue.
- Soak a clean cloth in warm water and gently dab the area with glue on it. This helps in softening the glue particles.
- Do not try to force your eye open. Soak the area in warm water and let your eyes open naturally when they can.
From Hands
It is important to take things one at a time when you are trying to remove gorilla glue from your hands. Mostly, warm soapy water does the trick but if the glue refuses to come off, acetone or alcohol can help. Follow these simple steps to remove gorilla glue from your hands:
- Fill a basin with warm, soapy water
- Dip your hands in the basin for a couple of minutes
- Apply more soap, and start rubbing the affected area gently
- Soak your hands in the basin for another minute
- Start to peel off whatever portions of the glue are soft enough
- Whatever residue is left can be removed by using cotton pads dipped in acetone or alcohol
- Keep scraping off all the residue as it softens until it is completely removed
How to Remove Gorilla Glue From Other Surfaces
If you are doing household projects like woodworking, you might spill gorilla glue on a variety of surfaces or possibly your clothes. In this section, we explain in detail how you can remove gorilla glue from all surfaces you might be working with at home.
Glass
Glass is a very delicate material and it is easy to damage glass when removing permanent adhesives from its surface. Cracks, scratches, and shattering are likely to happen. Therefore, it is essential to work patiently and be gentle with the glass.
First, you should soak the glass in acetone. The longer you soak it, the softer the adhesive particles will be. After the glue is loose enough, start to gently scrape it away from the glass. Be careful to not cause any scratches.
Keep repeating the process until no glue remains.
Wood
Getting rid of gorilla glue from wood surfaces can be a tricky process. This is due to the fact that wood can have finishes that will most likely be damaged by the use of acetone. So, we have to get creative while thinking of ways to remove adhesives from wood surfaces.
To determine whether acetone can be used, test a small area of the wood by applying acetone to it. If it is safe to use, you can follow the same process used for removing glue from glass. If not, follow these steps:
- Use masking tape to mark off the glue-covered area
- Use 1,200 grit sandpaper to sand off the glue using circular motions
- Keep repeating the process until the glue is completely gone
You can then polish the wood surface with stains or polishes to restore its look.
Metal
It is possible that while working with wood you may have spilled paint or glue on it.
Like wood, gorilla glue can be removed from metal by sanding. However, it has to be done quickly as the longer glue is left to dry, the more waterproof it gets.
Use a cloth dipped in warm water to wipe off as much glue as you can. Then, use a chisel to remove more adhesive from the surface. After this, you can use any fine-grit sandpaper and sand off all the remains of the glue.
Additionally, you can try using a heat gun on some metals. Gorilla glue begins to degrade at 215 degrees. If the metal does not melt or warp at this temperature, you can easily use a torch to melt off the glue.
Clothes
In the case of removing glue from clothes, it is important to first let the glue dry up. If you do not wait until the glue is completely dry, you may cause the cloth to stain.
After the glue hardens, lay the cloth over a hard surface like a corner desk or table and start to slowly remove the glue with your fingernails from the outside in. Some solvents that can help soften the glue particles are lemon juice or acetone. Just let the affected spot soak for ten to fifteen minutes in the solvent.
For a gently abrasive action, you can use a toothbrush on the area. After most of the residue is gone, you can machine wash the cloth. If it is a delicate material, simply pour some laundry soap on the glue stain and let it soak for a bit before gently washing it.
Finally, rinse out the cloth with cold water and gently pat dry with a soft towel. If there is any leftover staining, you can run the cloth through the washer one to two times to remove it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does Gorilla Glue Take To Dry?
Gorilla glue dries up within ten to forty-five seconds. During this period, it soaks into the surface it is on and turns completely solid in under five minutes.
While total curing can take up to a day, it is advised to start removing the glue within the first sixty seconds after the spill.
What Can Gorilla Glue Be Dissolved With?
Acetone, isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol, and paint thinner are your best options when trying to dissolve gorilla glue. Acetone is the easiest to obtain as it is used in nail polish removers.
Warm, soapy water works great on the skin but for other surfaces, water might be the wrong thing to use as the adhesive can often be waterproof.
How To Avoid Dripping The Glue While Working?
It is advised to use all permanent adhesives with high caution. Keep the tube closed at all times when not in use and keep it away from your workstation. If you need to keep the glue open for use while working, keep a small lid near its opening so that it can catch any spillage.
Use gloves while working with gorilla glue and try to apply it with toothpicks or a small applicator stick to prevent excess glue from coming out of the tube.
What Is A Super Glue Burn?
Super glue can cause chemical burns on your skin. Cyanoacrylate, the adhesive chemical in superglue, can react to materials like the cotton in your clothes and cause a harsh, red burn.
To prevent this, keep gorilla glue away from cotton clothing, tissues, and other materials that it can react with and cause burns. To treat a burn, wash the area with cold water. If the burn covers a large area of skin or is severe, immediately consult a medical professional.
Conclusion
In conclusion, since gorilla glue is such a useful and effective product, you will need it often while working with DIY projects or carpentry projects. However, it is vital to know how to prevent or take care of situations in which gorilla glue has spilled onto other surfaces.
Hopefully, this comprehensive guide has helped you learn all you need to know about how to remove gorilla glue from skin and any other surface.
Bonus Read: Make sure to check out this treasure trove of woodworking tips for inspiration for your next project.
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