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Topic: Removing Glue On Formica |
steve takacs
From:
beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)
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Posted 26 Apr 2007 5:04 pm |
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| Can anyone tell me the best way to remove glue which had been smeared on a section of the formica of my steel. It was done to reglue the aluminum strip but leaked out and was not mopped up. Did not bother me but I'm trying to sell the guitar now and would like to remove this blemish. I do not know what type of glue it is, unfortunately, but have been told "mineral spirts" might due the trick without damaging the formica. Would like some expert advice before proceeding cautiously if at all. As always, I appreciate anyone for taking the time to reply. steve t |
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James Sission
From:
Sugar Land,Texas USA
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Posted 26 Apr 2007 5:38 pm
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| WD-40 |
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Tommy Young
From:
Ethelsville Alabama
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Posted 26 Apr 2007 6:08 pm
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| steve u might try some vinegar and or mineral sprits sometimes one or the other will do it with some elbow grease hahaha |
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Clyde Mattocks
From:
Kinston, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 26 Apr 2007 6:39 pm
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If the glue is not dried hard and is still gummy, a
piece of duct tape may lift it. When working with contact cement, I never try to lift a spill until after an hour or so. The tape will pick it right up. |
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Jimmie Martin
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 26 Apr 2007 6:43 pm glue
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lacquer thinner works every time. just don't get it on anything else.  |
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steve takacs
From:
beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)
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Posted 26 Apr 2007 7:20 pm
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| Thanks, guys, Unfortunately the glue came free with the purchase and is hardened. What exactly is IN mineral spirits? If I buy a bottle here in China, I must know precisely what I'm asking for so I can find the translation. Jimmie, I'm assuming lacquer would damage the formica, right? Anyone else try James' suggestion about WD-40??? I do have some here. Please keep those suggestions coming. Thanks lads, steve |
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Larry Jamieson
From:
Walton, NY USA
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Posted 26 Apr 2007 7:41 pm
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Don't know if it available in China, but I use a lot of "Goo Gone" to remove tape, stickers, etc that people but on violins and guitars. It seems to work on many things without damaging the finish.
Another product I have seen in stores but not tried, is "Oops" which will remove dried, latex paint from most surfaces without damage. I haven't really read the label, but it might also work on glue... Good luck
Larry J. |
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Jerry Roller
From:
Van Buren, Arkansas USA
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Posted 26 Apr 2007 8:56 pm
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Steve, I don't think anything less than lacquer thinner will desolve and remove the glue and that is somewhat a slow process. Just don't get any thinner on the fretboards or anything that is painted. It does not harm mica. When I used to put mica on cabinet counter tops I used lacquer thinner to clean the mica when the job was done. Take is slow because if you soak it in thinner it could get in behind the aluminum trim strip and loosen the adhesive. The one hope is that super glue was not used. That is another problem and I am not sure how you remove super glue. I bought a guitar which had the trim strip glued back with super glue without remove that which spilled on the front. I had to replace the front apron mica. Just be careful because first of all lacquer thinner is VERY flammable so don't use near a fire or while smoking. Second, it absolutely will not harm mica but it will soften contact cement so try not to let it get under the surrounding mica or trim, it will damage paint and would ruin a fretboard and could ruin a pickup.
Jerry |
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Dave Boothroyd
From:
Staffordshire Moorlands
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Posted 26 Apr 2007 10:50 pm
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Contact adhesives are soluble (very slowly) in petroleum products such as the Turpentine substitute used to clean paintbrushes, or gasoline.
I won't insult you by repeating the Fire warning- but do take care.
The cellulose thinners used to thin spray paint used for autos, is made from Acetone and Xylene and should not damage the Phenolic resin of Formica, but will destroy the cellulose based finishes on old-style MOTS and Mica films.
Nothing dissolves superglue, you need a very sharp wood chisel and a surgeon-steady hand to separate the glue from the laminate.
Cheers
Dave |
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Bob Smith
From:
Allentown, New Jersey, USA
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Posted 27 Apr 2007 3:17 am
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| Steve, A hard pencil eraser will sometimes push the glue off cleanly , if it hasnt been on there real long. No mess either. bob |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 27 Apr 2007 3:23 am
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Pencil erasers contain sand, and will scratch!
Lighter fluid (which is naptha, actually) works fine, and won't hurt plastic or Formica. |
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John Groover McDuffie
From:
LA California, USA
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Posted 27 Apr 2007 6:59 am glue
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| You should try and determine what type of glue it is, since different techniques will work on different type glues. If it is contact cement it will probably have a dark yellowish color to it. If it is super glue it will be clear. (FYI there is a solvent for super glue, but I don't know what it does to formica.) There are other glues of course, but I think contact cement and super glue would be the most stubborn. |
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 27 Apr 2007 8:53 am
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| Dave Boothroyd wrote: |
Nothing dissolves superglue,Dave |
Acetone will. |
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Larry Robbins
From:
Fort Edward, New York
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Posted 27 Apr 2007 9:10 am
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Lacquer thinner will not hurt Formica.I use it everyday at work building counter tops. Dont get it on anything else and be sure to wipe off any excess when you are done. Dont get any in the glue joints if you can help it....acetone will remove super glue..your wife probably has some around the house...its in most nail polish remover.  ...aceotne is one of the ingredients in laquer thinner along with over things like MEK and other nasty solvents all blended together. I dont know what straight nail polish remover would do to Formica but, what you probably have on it is contac cement and a little laquer thinner should do the trick...as always, test first in a inconspicous area. 
_________________
Twang to the bone!
Last edited by Larry Robbins on 27 Apr 2007 9:18 am; edited 3 times in total |
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Carroll Hale
From:
EastTexas, USA
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Posted 27 Apr 2007 9:13 am
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nitro methane is another solvent..
it may be hard to obtain......
very explosive....
MEK.......methyl ethyl ketone....available at Lowe's
is another....use care with any of these...
volatile fumes, explosive...possible carcinogens...
Last edited by Carroll Hale on 27 Apr 2007 9:19 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Michael Haselman
From:
St. Paul
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Posted 27 Apr 2007 9:16 am
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You might also try Zippo type lighter fluid. I've used this to take glue residue off lacquer finishes with no harm to the finish so it should be fine with mica.
_________________
Mullen RP D10, Peavey NV112, Hilton volume. Hound Dog reso. Piles of other stuff. |
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 27 Apr 2007 12:32 pm
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| Naptha. Good for cleaning off glue residue from lacquer or other surfaces without harming the finish. |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 27 Apr 2007 1:53 pm
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"MEK.......methyl ethyl ketone....available at Lowe's "
Ha! I used to have a band called Methyl Ethyl and The Ketones! Actress Amy Madigan was Methyl Ethyl. |
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Thom Beeman
From:
California, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 29 Apr 2007 9:02 am
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| Steve, James hit it on the head. WD-40. It's the best for removing adhesive's no matter what surface it's on and WILL NOT damage the surrounding surface. Use paper towels not cloth in the process. Spray it on and let sit about 30 seconds and start rubbing it off. Rub in direction of adhesive flow. |
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Paul Redmond
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 30 Apr 2007 1:18 am
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Even if the stuff has dried/hardened, naphtha is the best solvent for removing the glue. Use it all the time.
PRR |
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Paul Redmond
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 30 Apr 2007 1:21 am
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Yes, ZIPPO lighter fluid works...it's mostly naphtha!! WD-40 is a no-no as it can 'swell' stuff. Do NOT use WD-40 on a BMI!!!
PRR |
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Joey Gaskins
From:
New Bern, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 30 Apr 2007 1:48 pm super glue remover
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| I bought a bottle of Super Glue Remover from a local store and the active ingredient is acetone. |
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steve takacs
From:
beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)
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Posted 30 Apr 2007 9:26 pm SUCCESS CLEANING GLUE ON FORMICA
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First of all, thanks to everyone who responded. As my wife says: "Those guys seem to know a lot about everything, not just steel guitar." I tried a couple of solutions, since I had these two products at home, Zippo lighter fluid and nail polish remover which has acetone. The first did not dissolve the glue but the second method did with, some rubbing using paper towels and my fingernail. So, for my particular case, Larry and Bill & Joey provided the acetone solution. Paul & Jimmie, who suggested lacquer thinner, were also correct since it has acetone in it. I believe the other sugggestions might also work but did not try them. Certainly all of them probably work depending on the type of glue. Again, thank all of you who responded.
b0b, please KEEP THIS THREAD OPEN for a while to see if there are more responses. steve t |
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Jimmie Martin
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 1 May 2007 1:14 am glue
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| goog job steve. i also worked in a kitchen shop when i was younger. much younger and dad snd i made our own formica counter . |
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