Unsticking CA Glue?

[Canuck]

While I really like using CA (cyanoacrylate) around the house, this time I really did it!!!!

My grand daughter accidentally dropped a small porcelain duck figurine and broke a chunk out of it. After I was presented with the pieces by LOML, I said no problem. A trip to the shop and few dabs of thin CA it was all repaired. I placed it on a glass shelf on our entertainment center, stepped back and showed off my work.

Well........this morning I decided to move it to its original location and it is anchored solidly to the bevelled glass shelf. Lesson learned. CA glue does not dry as fast as I thought, even with a shot of accelerator!

So, the question is, do they sell a product that will release the duck from his glass perch or will I need to replace the glass shelf and retire the duck?

This is embarrassing, but I am hoping there is some sort recovery and I will have learned a lesson about CA glue.

TIA

Wayne

[FlyingRon]

The classic solvent for dissolving CA glue is ACETONE. You can get this in quart cans at the borgs, but it is also the major component in traditional nail polish remover that granddaughter or someone else may have around the house.

[bwat]

Any area store that sells ca glue will also sell small bottles of a reversing agent.

[FlyingRon]

The commercial ca removers are typically Nitromethane.

[Canuck]

The classic solvent for dissolving CA glue is ACETONE. You can get this in quart cans at the borgs, but it is also the major component in traditional nail polish remover that granddaughter or someone else may have around the house.

Any area store that sells ca glue will also sell small bottles of a reversing agent.

Thanks guys.

I have both acetone and a small bottle of reversing agent but the trick will be trying to apply it between the bottom of the duck and glass. Maybe a liberal dose with a Qtip or acid brush. I envision it taking awhile as the acetone finds its way under the figurine and goes to work.

Wayne

[MarkE]

Another alternative is to learn to like it in it's current glued down location. At least you know it won't get dropped again.

[RandyJ]

I wouldn't recommend using a Q-tip. According to Wikipedia:

Reaction with cotton

Applying cyanoacrylate to materials made of cotton or wool (such as cotton swabs, cotton balls, and certain yarns or fabrics) results in a powerful, rapid exothermic reaction. The heat released may cause serious burns,^[17] ignite the cotton product, or release irritating white smoke. Material Safety Data Sheets for cyanoacrylate instruct users not to wear cotton or wool clothing, especially cotton gloves, when applying or handling cyanoacrylates.^[18]

Hope you can free your duckie!

[Glennbear]

I am sorry for your troubles Wayne, I started a thread in 2009 about the pitfalls of CA glue usage which resulted in a lively discussion. Perhaps you missed it :

http://www.ncwoodworker.net/forums/s...highlight=glue

[Canuck]

Thaks all for all of your suggestions.

I think that after trying acetone and the CA releaser and failed; the duck will become a handle for removing the bevelled glass for cleaning. At least that is my story to LOML!

If I ever need to stick porcelain to glass, I will remember this disaster!!!!!!!!!!

Wayne

[ScottM]

CA glue tend to weaken over time. I would wait a few weeks and try again.

[Alan in Little Washington]

Try repeated applications of de-bonder applied with a hypodermic needle to control the amount. Use just enough to keep the exposed edge wet. Once it starts to soften at the edges the de-bonder should start to wick deeper until enough of the CA has softened to allow the parts to separate. Be prepared to have the duck start coming apart as well. A razor blade might help also.

[terry1166]

I've tried acetone to remove CA from my fingers. All I can say is I hope there is something better than acetone out there!

Terry

[Jeff]

You're in a fine fix, but maybe salvageable. Standard CA glue is not recommended for bonding glass. The guidance here is to soak in water until debonding occurs.

http://www.supergluecorp.com/removingsuperglue.html

A local paint store will have a gizmo that holds a single edge razor blade that a painter uses to remove paint from glass windows around the trim. That blade just might slide in between the bonded parts with a little care and patience.

Acetone has a low boiling point (56.2 degrees C) so it flashes off quickly. Methyl ethyl ketone is a relative with a higher boiling point (79.6 C) so it doesn't evaporate as rapidly. The bp is on a par with ethyl alcohol. The BORGs carry MEK.

[Jim Wallace]

This glue was developed for use in surgery in place of stitches. A surgeon told me that soap and hot water will remove it from your hands better than acetone, so perhaps Jeff's water suggestion is the best.