How to Remove Krazy Glue From Varnished Wood
Krazy Glue is made of the same substance as Super Glue—ethyl cyanoacrylate. Once this glue has bonded to something, a process that is nearly instantaneous, the bond becomes permanent. There is one substance that will soften the glue: acetone. Unfortunately, this substance also can soften varnish finish on wood. If you apply this correctly, however, you will be able to remove the glue with minimal damage to the wood. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Rubber, vinyl or nitrile gloves
- Acetone-based fingernail polish
- Cotton swabs
- Razor knife
- Cloth
Instructions
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Put on rubber, vinyl or nitrile gloves to protect your hands. Open a window in the area for ventilation so you aren’t overcome by acetone fumes. On its website, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety warns that acetone is extremely flammable. Extinguish all open flames and do not smoke around it.
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Dip a cotton swab in a bottle of acetone-based fingernail polish (acetone should be listed on the label). You also can find acetone at home improvement or hardware stores.
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Rub the cotton swab over the glue. Take care not to let the acetone drip directly onto the varnished wood. Leave it undisturbed for a few minutes to let the glue soften.
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Use a razor knife to remove a softened layer of glue. Use the cotton swab to apply more fingernail polish remover to the remaining glue. Repeat this process until you’ve gotten nearly all the glue off the wood.
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Scrape the remaining glue up from the varnished wood using the razor knife. Dampen a cloth with water and wipe it over the wood to remove any traces of acetone. Follow with a dry cloth.
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Tips & Warnings
If any varnish came off with the glue, lightly sand the area and apply fresh varnish to the spot.
