How to Remove Excess Glue From Glued Wood Joints

Wood glue is one of the most common essentials in woodworking, but it does have its drawbacks. The biggest hassle with using glue to fasten wooden joints is that the glue will squeeze out of the seams in the wood when it's clamped down tightly. If it's not addressed, the excess glue can make any woodworking project look like a mess. Follow these steps to clean it up properly.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Warm water
• Paper towels
• Razor blade

1. Wet a paper towel with warm water and squeeze out the excess. Do this as soon as possible after a wooden joint has been glued and clamped.

2. Wipe away the glue droplets with one side of the damp paper towel. Turn the towel around and use the other side to wipe the area again.

3. Allow the wood and the glue to dry completely. It may take several hours for the glue to dry.

4. Examine the area closely. If you got to the glue fast enough, there won't be any film remaining. If not, there may be a thin, shiny layer of glue.

5. Use a razor blade to scrape off the excess glue. Do this by carefully holding the blade and positioning the razor's edge almost parallel with the wood's surface. Scrape in one direction as if you're trying to "shave" off the thin, brittle layer of glue.

Tips & Warnings

• Anticipate glue squeezing out of your freshly clamped joints. Keep a damp paper towel handy when gluing.
• Be extraordinarily careful when handling razor blades. If you don't feel comfortable using a loose blade for this purpose, use a utility knife or X-Acto Knife.