How to remove Hot Stuff ca glue

[Pat]

I've made several errors on my first attempt to make an intarsia pendant by myself.

Since I like the focus stone, I want to save it. However, everything is ca glued together. I used Hot Stuff orange label. Works very well!

I want to start over. If I can't soak? the glue off, I will need to cut the rocks apart, but I'm willing.

Do you know of a way to remove the glue without harming the rocks? I see Satellite City as a liquid remover, and so does amazon. I am hoping there is something I can use that I might have at hand.

Thanks.

[zarguy]

I dissolve CA glue in a jar of acetone.
Is there a reason why you can't soak this particular project?
Lynn

[rockjunquie]

I soak in a tightly covered jar, too. Acetone evaporates very fast.

[Pat]

No reason to avoid acetone.

It’s been in the glass jar about five minutes covered with acetone.

Is this an overnight process?

About how long does it take?

I don’t see any progress. Yet.

Thanks.

[zarguy]

Yes, overnight
Lynn

[barclay]

If you pop it in the freezer CA glue becomes brittle

[zarguy]

I've broken cabs that were dopped with CA & put in the freezer for a couple of hours.
Trying to pop them off the dop broke them.
Lynn

[Don]

Acetone overnight.

[Pat]

It’s been soaking in acetone in glass canning jar since this afternoon.

What utensil should I use to retrieve the piece from the jar? I used copper tongs to grab it to test it after the first hour. Didn’t even wiggle.

Should it be washed with Dawn when all done?

I figure I’ll save this used acetone for future use. Probably not done goofing up yet!

Thanks.

[rockjunquie]

I had some things come apart quickly and some took longer. Acetone evaporates very fast, so I have never bothered washing it. I just used stainless steel tweezers to retrieve, but I'd use my fingers, too. After all, we use it for nail polish remover.

[minerken]

I have almost taken a bath in acetone with no problems yet, but I sometimes just pour it of into another jar and reseal.

[grumpybill]

I use acetone on a microfiber cloth to clean off any slop around glued-on bails, without gloves. Even with my skin problems, it doesn't seem to bother my fingers.

Something worth mentioning here: Not all nail polish removers contain acetone. Discovered that when I "borrowed" some from my wife without reading the label...it didn't remove CA.

[Pat]

The fingernail acetone is diluted with fragrance and color.

The hardware store acetone is not diluted, and that is what I used.

It is good to know that it doesn't hurt skin, or other things.

Today is the day!

Thanks!

[grumpybill]

Walmart "store brand" remover claims to be 100% acetone.

[Deleted]

Feb 24, 2018 10:33:58 GMT -5 Pat said:

It is good to know that it doesn't hurt skin, or other things.

While it won't directly hurt your skin, it does severely dry it. Don't expose your skin to it longer than absolutely necessary, and follow up with washing and a moisturizer.

Do not wear plastic gloves (or clothing that it might attack) while using acetone. No smoking or open flame, either (that's why you want a ventilated area, too, if you are going to leave the container open for any length of time and you have the heat on or other ignition source in the building).

I also use a sealed jar, but because acetone can attack the seal on a jar lid, I put a sheet of aluminum foil over the opening before gently screwing down the lid.

[Pat]

It's been about 20 hours. Several small pieces have come off. The rest are layers, so it is harder for the acetone to get in contact with the glue.

My container is a closed canning jar. Haven't noticed that any acetone has evaporated, but will check the rubber seal next time I check on it.

[Deleted]

Feb 24, 2018 14:42:40 GMT -5 Pat said:

My container is a closed canning jar. Haven't noticed that any acetone has evaporated, but will check the rubber seal next time I check on it.

It definitely can take some time, probably depends on what brand glue. First time, I was impatient and assumed the CA had softened, so I twisted it and produced a nice hole right in the middle of the cab. Lesson learned: let 'em get to the point of dropping off. Natural rubber seals may stand up to the acetone better than the seals on the re-used peanut butter jar that I used (can turn the inside of some lids into a gooey mess).

[Rockoonz]

CA glues will also release when heated. the basic water thin super glues start to degrade at 135 degrees f and toughened glues at higher temps.
If you're in a hurry you can try boiling water or low heat in a toaster oven. For the benefit of folks who didn't read previous posts, keep any acetone far from heat and ignition sources.

[Pat]

Feb 24, 2018 15:32:53 GMT -5 Rockoonz said:

CA glues will also release when heated. the basic water thin super glues start to degrade at 135 degrees f and toughened glues at higher temps.
If you're in a hurry you can try boiling water or low heat in a toaster oven. For the benefit of folks who didn't read previous posts, keep any acetone far from heat and ignition sources.

I don't understand. If you are to keep acetone away from heat, how is it justified dumping the piece into boiling water, or in the toaster oven?

I can wait!

[grumpybill]

No. Heat the piece instead of soaking it in acetone...not while soaking it.