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How to disolve some unknown glue?

danny_barkley

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My wife has a fruit bowl, made of glass, that had a separate base glued to the bowl.

This was unbeknownst to us till the base came off!

I need to do two things, 1) Get the old glue off and 2) Reglue the base back on with some kind of robust and long lasting transparent glue.

I tried Isopropyl9Rubbing) alcohol and Lacquer thinner to no avail getting the old glue off. The glue is in a kind of recess area so a simple razor blade won't work. I need a solvent.

What do you folks suggest for #1 and #2 question?
 

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danny_barkley

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Some good answers here. I got it soaking in Goo Gone now.

I used to have Goof Off, tossed it after it burned some stuff that was valuable to me(was afraid my wife might try it) I may get some more
 

no704

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What’s it made out of! If ceramic put it in the oven at < 200f for a bit. Might want the fume hood on hi.
 
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danny_barkley

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What’s it made out of! If ceramic put it in the oven at < 200f for a bit. Might want the fume hood on hi.

It's made of glass. The base rings like crystal, but the Bowl portion thunks like glass.
 

no704

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Probably safe to put <200f to it but do it slowly. Most adhesives give up around 150f. Just be carful not to thermal shock it.
 
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danny_barkley

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Probably safe to put <200f to it but do it slowly. Most adhesives give up around 150f. Just be carful not to thermal shock it.

I think the heat will be a last resort!

I have Citrisolv on one piece and Goo Gone on the other piece. I'll let it go overnight and see where we get. I also have some brake fluid out to try.
 
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danny_barkley

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Because of how heavy the pieces are, I imagine they used some pretty good industrial glue.
 

DanarchyCustoms

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"Bestine Solvent and Thinner" has always been great for anything that Acetone couldn't get off. Its pretty mild stuff but works great at removing anything like rubber cement.
To re-attach it, use a two part epoxy meant for glass. The "Loc-tite" and "JB Weld" brands have plenty of options.
 

nadogail

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Several yeas ago I requested a copy of the MSDS for Goof Off; the company sent me a report that told me it is made from 100% Xylene. I buy Goof Off at home Depot.
 

Hammer1963

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Once you have the old adhesive removed, try E6000 glue. It does take some time to cure, but it will provide a strong and transparent bond. I have used it many times for glass applications
 

rlitman

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localized extreme cooling could cause it to break.
You mean the glass, right? I'd avoid anything thermal with glass.

The good news is that most times when someone asks about dissolving an adhesive, I need to remind them that the best options will also dissolve what they're trying to save. Glass is resistant to a whole lot of things, though strong bases can etch it a little.

If a razor will not work in the recess, have you tried a spoon?

I'd poke and scratch the adhesive with a needle to see how hard it feels. Let us know if it feels at all gummy, or is it as hard as plexiglas. A clear and really hard adhesive is likely acrylic based, which needs a solvent lice acetone, and a surprisingly long amount of time. Epoxy is a little softer, yet is still softened by acetone. Something else softer might break down under brake fluid or strong acids (acid based drain cleaners).

E6000 cures in air (as does Gorilla Glue clear). In the space between two plates of glass, I'd recommend using a 2-part curing adhesive like plain old 5-minute epoxy (JB Weld clear).
 
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danny_barkley

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So overnight the two different citrus cleaners did nothing.

The adhesive is hard, nothing soft about it.

I got brake fluid on it now for the day.
 
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NUTTSGT

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Don't have any Acetone or MEK around. If I bust out with what I have, I'll make a trip to HD and see what they have. I don't even know what you can still buy now.
Try sorting it the the store local to you, Surprising, there's alot of stuff still available.

 

MoonRise

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Hard, clear, adhesive, used on glass?

Is the adhesive layer REALLY thin (sheet of paper thin) or is it thicker than that?

If thin, it might be 'industrial' cyanoacrylate-type adhesive. Aka 'crazy glue'. (which is actually NOT the recommended adhesive for use on glass, unless you get a specially-made-for-use-on-glass version). Remover for that is usually acetone, which you can get a home improvement stores, a hardware store, a paint store, or even Walmart (by me anyway). And most nail polisher remover is usually acetone (or acetone based).

If the adhesive layer is hard but not super thin, then you are probably dealing with an epoxy or acrylic type adhesive.

If you can't remove it with an appropriate solvent, then for a 'hard' adhesive it usually means you remove it mechanically. Scrape or 'sand' it off. Just don't put a nick or score mark on the glass (glass usually does NOT respond well to a score mark, that's actually a common way to cut sheet glass with a glass cutter by scoring it and then snapping it on the score line).



For use on situations with NO gap:


Or for gap-filling uses:



Find a recommended Loctite adhesive:


Got any pics?
 
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danny_barkley

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So this morning the brake fluid had "slightly" softened the glue, but not much. Still hard to get it off with a razor bladed. I put some more back on and I'll go for some acetone and Xyline I guess. Good Glue! As one might expect.
 
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danny_barkley

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The glue is not thin like any type of super glue I don't believe. It also was applied as a circle of adhesive. Did not run and Flow out, so it had some body to it. It was very clear. You would not know if was there. We were surprised the bowl was a base and a bowl
 

Dumber than lumber

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Brake fluid? Haven't seen that suggested, yet.
Sometimes you can microwave items like this.
(My suggestions are not professional advice. Whatever you do, it is at your own risk.)
 

PCustoms

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Brake fluid? Haven't seen that suggested, yet.
Sometimes you can microwave items like this.
(My suggestions are not professional advice. Whatever you do, it is at your own risk.)
Did you read the thread?

So this morning the brake fluid had "slightly" softened the glue, but not much. Still hard to get it off with a razor bladed. I put some more back on and I'll go for some acetone and Xyline I guess. Good Glue! As one might expect.
 
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danny_barkley

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I read the whole thread. Yes.
Why do you ask? Did I miss a mention of brake fluid?
Please tell me where it was?

No worries, not that big a deal. He did quote me back to you where I am using brake fluid presently.

Maybe you're like my wife? I mention something and within a few minutes she'll say the same thing like she came up with it!

I suspect it's the same mechanism, she wasn't totally paying attention to me, you were probably skimming the thread. Same difference, she does this all the time!
 
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danny_barkley

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Had brake fluid on it now for about 8 hours. Success! I hate that stuff!

Now what is in the running for the best Glue to put it back together?
 

PCustoms

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Now what is in the running for the best Glue to put it back together?
How big is the bowl?

Is it used, or decorative?

Can you post a pic?

My first instinct is Methyl methacrylate, but I am not sure if that is optically clear. There are some clear cyanoacrylate (super glue), and definitely some UV cure epoxy that fit the bill, I'd have to look and a Henkel catalog.

If it just out in a shelf to look good my answer is different then if it's filled with fruit in the table every Sunday.
 
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danny_barkley

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How big is the bowl?

Is it used, or decorative?

Can you post a pic?

My first instinct is Methyl methacrylate, but I am not sure if that is optically clear. There are some clear cyanoacrylate (super glue), and definitely some UV cure epoxy that fit the bill, I'd have to look and a Henkel catalog.

If it just out in a shelf to look good my answer is different then if it's filled with fruit in the table every Sunday.

I'm still working on the lower half with brake fluid. The Glue would have to have some fill. The Bowl is thick glass, heavy, and clear. It has a small base about 5" diameter and a larger bowl. Mainly a shelf sitter.

The top bowl portion has about a 3" diameter shallow indentation.
 

Dumber than lumber

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Had brake fluid on it now for about 8 hours. Success! I hate that stuff!

Now what is in the running for the best Glue to put it back together?
The Big Three in adhesives:
3M
Henkel/Loctite
and Devcon (ITW Performance Polymers)
They will each have a range of products from professional to consumer, priced accordingly.
OTOH - I would possibly consider one of the industrial hot glue gun products.
Since you are gluing glass to glass you could even use the stuff that windshield installers use. It is a moisture cure urethane.
 
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