A young lad who works for me has just had superglue sprayed onto his car. Do any of you science / chemistry bods know what will get it off? It is now completely dry.

Why do people do this?????????????/

 

Doesn't the superglue container have instructions on how to get excess glue off certain surfaces?

 

AWD
I thought the same - but thought before I posted "surely the vandal wouldn't have kindly left the removal instructions behind"

 

Dave (TS)

As vandals are mindless morons you never know. If I were at home I could have a look at the tube I have but thought that Dave (B) might have a tube handy that he could examine.

 

Most superglues are water soluable (which is why you have to put your hand in your pocket and 'sweat' it apart when you stick your fingers together.)

Warm soapy water should work.

Failing that, catch the plank who did it and rub it off with the blood coming from his nose.

Snake.



NB. In no way does this post agree with or condone the use of violence towards the unfortunate souls who, through no fault of their own, feel the need to damage other peoples property.

S.

 

This post agrees with and condones (in fact encourages) the use of violence towards the unfortunate souls who, through total fault of their own, feel the need to damage other peoples property.

 

I know exactly how this poor guy feels, years ago I came out one morning to find somebody had decided to use the roof on my car (Not the Impreza) as a trampoline

Anyway If it is indeed water soluable would the best thing to use be a steam cleaner?? Just be careful you don't get too close and take all the paint off!!

Surely the best justice would be to use the Superglue on the person who did this in any way you see fit...

 

Be careful with water that is too hot (and steam) on the paintwork.

 

After due consideration I have changed tack, and I now agree,condone and wholeheartedly encourage violence towards these unfortunate R souls.

Thankyou AWD for showing me the error of my ways.

Snake.

 

AWD
.....especially if DBM.....

[This message has been edited by Dave T-S (edited 16 November 2000).]

 

Dave B

Coming back to your second question - you'll never understand why a moron does something as you will never be able to think like him. Just put it down to mindless vandalism.

 

Snake

Aaaaah... Grasshopper.... there is hope for you yet...

 

Just did a quick search on the Internet and apparently the thing to use is Nail polish remover (with acetone). Now I have not tried this so don't know if it will work but as a last resort it has got to be worth a try (But try it on a non visible peice of bodywork first to see if it affects the paint!)

 

Step 1,

speak to the wax wizard

I would suggest if you have a good wax on the car, the glus should be attached to the wax, not the paint, so all you need to do is remove the wax.

step 2,

There are superglue removers available now.
I think I may have spotted some in one of the DIY stores recently from memory.

Last resort you will need to find a company that supplys superglue to industry. The place where I used to work had certain variations of superglue, but a common "release" agent which broke them down.

robski

 

Be very careful before using any acetone or other products on your paintwork. Check that it won't damage it.

 

I am a chemist and have to agree with AWD about not using acetone (or any solvent) without checking on a hidden area of paintwork first!!!

Acetone is one of the best solvents there is for dissolving organic chemicals hence it makes such a good nail polish remover. Unfortunately though paint, laquers and waxes may also dissolve as well as any plastic trim areas in the car if you spill acetone on them by accident.

I would try warm soapy water after carefully scraping any excess lumps off like you would with hard dried-on birdsh!t.

Good luck


Sean

 

If you read my post about acetone SLOWLY you will see I suggested that too!!!

[This message has been edited by JoeyDeacon (edited 16 November 2000).]

 

Joey,

Sorry....I did just scan through the posts without reading them in too much detail.

I have been searching through some chemistry databases that I have access to at work and have found that in lab conditions people have used solvents such as Acetonitrile diluted in either water or Ethanol together with a surfactant to get cured cyanoacrylates (superglue) off glass, ceramics and metal.

Not sure were Joe Public can get acetonitrile but I suggest trying the following recipe:

60% warm soapy water and 40% surgical spirit (this is nearly pure ethanol and should be a mild solvent on paintwork). If you can't get surgical spirit try 50% warm soapy water and 50% vodka or (any other 40% ABV alcohol).

Again check it out on a hidden area first just in case....Good luck

Sean

 

Sean,

Use vodka to clean a car! Are you mad?!!!

Jerome.

 

Before using vodka on your paintwork, I suggest trying it out on something that is much more hardy .. like your stomach lining