Were you working on a glass project and super gluing on the glass surface? This guide will teach you multiple solutions to get super glue off the glass.
You can remove super glue from glass using:
- Acetone or Nail Polish Remover
- Soapy water
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Toothpaste
- Essential oils
- Baking soda & coconut oil
- Olive oil
All these solutions can remove the superglue from glass surfaces. However, factors like superglue type, viscosity, whether the glue is still wet or dry, and others contribute to the cleanup process.
Some of the solutions above might not work for you. Find the one that works and clean that superglue!
Find the one that works and clean that super glue! That’s why we’ve included more than one.
Check out my guide on the best glues for glasses if you need product tips.
Acetone or Nail Polish Remover
Nail Polish Remover contains acetone, so use one or the other. Nail Polish Remover contains acetone, so use one or the other. Acetone is great at softening superglue, making it easy to scrape off. It’s also good at cleaning glass lenses.
You’ll need:
- Acetone / Nail Polish Remover
- A soft cloth
- Water
- Soap
- Razor blade (optional)
With these on hand, it’s time to get cleaning. First, you’ll need to clean the glass surface from dust and other impurities.
Then, follow the steps below:
- Soak the cloth in acetone or nail polish remover;
- Place the cloth on the patch of super dried glue and let it soak for several minutes;
- After the glue softens, start rubbing the cloth over it;
- If needed, insert a razor blade under the glue and peel it off;
- Reapply acetone on the cloth if the glue doesn’t soften enough;
- Continue doing this until the superglue is cleaned off;
- Use soapy water to clean the glass surface after removing the super glue. This is strongly indicated for glass lenses;
- Wipe off the water with a dry cloth.
Warning – don’t start scraping off the dried glue with the acetone-soaked cloth.
Instead, let the cloth soak the glue until it softens and becomes malleable. That way, it won’t scratch the glass when you try to remove it.
Soapy Water
Using soapy water to clean the superglue off the glass is a gentler solution. You’re less likely to damage the glass surface, and it’s a quick process.
You’ll need:
- Soft cloth
- A cup of lukewarm water (not hot or boiling)
- Ammonia-free soap
- Plastic wrap (optional)
Follow the steps below to clean superglue from glass with soapy water:
- Dip the cloth in the warm, soapy water;
- Place the cloth on the glass surface and let it soak
- If the item is smaller, wrap the cloth around the glass and then use plastic wrap to cover everything. This will keep the moisture inside;
- Wait for 2-3 hours for the super glue to soak completely;
- Remove the plastic wrap and use the soaked cloth to clean the superglue from the glass;
- Use circular motions and use different parts of the cloth to avoid putting the superglue back on the glass;
- If needed, resoak the cloth in warm, soapy water, and reapply on the glue;
- Repeat steps 6 & 7 until you remove the superglue completely.
Be gentle if you’re working with sensitive glass materials like glass lenses. Ensure the cloth is soft and soaked in water before scrubbing the glue.
Resoak the cloth as many times as needed to be safe.
Isopropyl Alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol (not rubbing alcohol) makes for a great cleaning agent, both for glass and plastic glass lenses.
It works on industrial glass projects, as well. To clean the superglue with alcohol, you’ll need:
- A soft cloth or a cotton swab
- 100% concentrated Isopropyl alcohol (get it from a pharmacy)
- Water
- Mild soap
- Razorblade
Once you get these, you’re ready to start removing the glue. Just follow the steps below:
- Soak the soft cloth or cotton swab in alcohol;
- Place the cloth on the glue, so it moistens. Wait for an hour, preferably;
- Start cleaning the superglue by slowly rubbing the cloth on it;
- Use the razor blade to scrape off the glue by inserting it underneath the moistened glue (don’t do this if the glass item is sensitive to damage);
- Resoak the cotton swab and keep rubbing until the glue is off;
- Use water and soap to clean the area, and then wipe it with a dry cloth.
Isopropyl alcohol is more concentrated than rubbing alcohol, which makes it better for dissolving superglue.
Even if the glue has dried off, the alcohol will moisten and dissolve quickly.
Toothpaste
We’ve received many reports that rubbing toothpaste on the superglue will dissolve the glue.
This also works on coated glass lenses without damaging the special coating.
Sousing toothpaste might be better than acetone or isopropyl alcohol if you work with a sensitive glass surface.
You’ll need:
- Toothpaste (not with abrasive microbeads)
- A soft cloth
- Soapy water
This is the simplest solution on this list and should only take a few minutes.
Follow the steps below to clean superglue with toothpaste:
- Put some warm water on the glass (optional – for sensitive glass surfaces);
- Put toothpaste on the soft cloth;
- Start rubbing the superglue patch with the cloth;
- Use circular motions until the glue softens and starts coming off;
- Repeat step 3 until you get rid of all the super glue on the glass.
The toothpaste will be a semi-abrasive medium that will scrape the glue from the glass.
The active substance from toothpaste will also dissolve the glue, making it easier to clean.
Essential Oils
Some essential oils like eucalyptus, olive, coconut, and tea tree oil are great cleaning agents. They can dissolve superglue immediately, helping you clean any glass surface.
If you have these oils around, you have what it takes to start cleaning.
You’ll need:
- 4-5 drops of essential oil
- Cotton ball
- Soapy water
Follow the steps below to get super glue off glass:
- Put 4-5 drops of essential oil on a cotton ball or a cotton swab;
- Rub the superglue slowly until you notice it starts dissolving and softening;
- Continue doing this until all the glue is off the glass;
- After removing the glue, clean the glass with warm soapy water to remove any impurities.
It’s really easy to use essential oils to clean superglue from glass. You most likely have everything you need around the house.
Baking Soda & Coconut Oil
Baking soda is not abrasive and won’t scratch the glass surface when you clean the glue.
Mixing baking soda with coconut oil will create an improvised version of a super cleaning agent.
The coconut oil softens the glue, and the baking soda dissolves it.
You’ll need:
- A quarter of a cup of baking soda
- A quarter of a cup of coconut oil
- A soft cloth
Follow the steps below to clean superglue off glass with baking soda and coconut oil:
- Mix the baking soda and coconut oil in equal parts;
- Stir the mix until it’s uniform and homogenous;
- Soak a soft cloth in the mix and apply it to the superglue;
- Rub the cloth on the superglue until you clean it off;
- Resoak the cloth in the baking soda & coconut oil mix when needed;
- Repeat steps 4 & 5 until you’re done.
Once you’re done, clean the glass with soapy water to remove impurities and residual glue.
How Can You Avoid Getting Superglue on Glass?
Glass projects require careful thinking and specialized tool, so you don’t make mistakes.
One mistake is getting superglue on the glass, which you’ll need to clean using one of the above solutions.
To avoid this, use a gel version of superglue. It gives you more control and doesn’t dry as quickly, allowing you to clean it easily.
Alternatively, use typesuperglue typesigned for glass projects, like Loctite Glass Glue or LePage Stik’N Seal Extreme Repairs Adhesive.
Another recommendation is to put a plastic sheet or paper around the glass area you’re gluing.
This way, even if you make a mistake, the glue will get on the paper, not the glass.
Remove the paper when you’re done and the glass is still pristine. No cleaning is needed because no superglue got on the glass surface!
Conclusion
Superglue is known for its near-instant hardening action. It’ll take several seconds to go from liquid to solid.
You won’t have time to prepare the ingredients for dissolving the superglue from the glass.
However, this doesn’t mean removing super glue from glass is impossible.
Use one of the following items to clean it:
- Acetone or nail polish remover
- Warm water and soap
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Essential oils (coconut, olive, eucalyptus, etc.)
- Toothpaste
- Baking soda & coconut oil mix
If a solution doesn’t work, try another one. Good luck, and we hope this guide will help you with your project!
Can vinegar remove super glue from glass?
Yes, it can. While it’s not as effective as acetone or nail polish remover, vinegar is acidic enough to dissolve the super glue.
Apply it on a cotton swab or a cloth, then start rubbing on the glued area.
Make sure the cloth is soaked in vinegar before you start rubbing.
Rub slowly so you don’t damage the glass surface. Repeat these steps until the glue is removed completely!
Vinegar will work even on dried superglue because of its acidic nature.
How to remove super glue from glasses without acetone?
Acetone is quite acidic, and it might damage the protecting coating of your glass lenses. But you don’t need acetone to remove superglue from glasses. You can use other items like warm water with soap or even toothpaste.
Glass lenses are much more sensitive than other glass surfaces, so you’ll need to be careful.
Before trying any solution, apply the substance to a corner of the glass lens and see what happens.
Preferably, you should wear an old pair of glasses that you don’t use anymore. Test the solution on the glass lenses to see the effects.
Once the solution is safe, clean the super glue from your glasses with it!
Use the same techniques of gently rubbing with a soaked cloth or cotton swab.
