Author Topic: Removing old glue  (Read 2872 times)

Offline David Veith

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Removing old glue
« on: September 11, 2009, 08:01:18 PM »
I have a old one the I re-broke the stock in the wrist :(. Looks to be a lot of old carpenter glue in there. What are you guys using to dissolve glues.
David/toledo
David Veith

Offline rick landes

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Re: Removing old glue
« Reply #1 on: September 11, 2009, 11:35:42 PM »
Acetone will dissolve most things. However it may remove stain too!
I try to start with the weakest thing first. Try a bit of warmth from a blow dryer or carefully with a heat gun. Try freezing it and then removing. Try a short soaking in some warm water. It maybe that your glue is water based; it may dissolve or lift from the surface since it may not have bound the best to the base wood to begin with. Next, if it does not work try a bit of isoprophyl. Move to mineral spirits and then to lacquer thinner. Each one is more aggressive than the one before and the risk of hurting the stain increases.
With the chemical solvants try a bit on a q-tip. You do not want to create a gelatinous goo ball!
A toothbrush sized wire brush can do wonders for cleaning the old glue off in these trials too!

Good Luck
“No free man shall ever be de-barred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain their right to keep and bear arms is as a last resort to protect themselves against tyranny in government." Thomas Jefferson

Offline JTR

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Re: Removing old glue
« Reply #2 on: September 12, 2009, 12:00:23 AM »
If Ricks solutions don't do the trick, you could use a dremel tool with a small wire brush to remove most of the old glue.
If it's a break through the wrist running with the grain, removing a small bit of wood with the old glue won't hurt either,,, just don't remove any wood near the edges. I've used dental picks to remove old glue as well, but it's a slow process but should work around the edges.
Clean up the old glue well enough until you can press the stock pieces together so that the crack lines fit together tightly, then re-glue it together.
I've done some practice pieces and one gun using Gorilla glue and the stuff seems to be really strong. It also foams a bit when setting up and will fill in any internal void areas.  Wipe the foaming goo off the external surfaces with a damp lint-free cloth before it sets up.
You can also add a drop or two of a water based stain to the glue before applying to help match the surface color on the stock.
John
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Offline Longshot

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Re: Removing old glue
« Reply #3 on: September 13, 2009, 03:45:45 PM »
Just a note on Gorilla glue:
Fine Woodworking recently did some fairly thorough testing on popular glues which revealed the Titebond II & III type glues to provide the superior wood bond [exceeding a number of others glues, including Gorilla].  With dissimilar or non-porous materials the story may read differently.  As mentioned, calculating the expansion factor is another issue.

Offline David Veith

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Re: Removing old glue
« Reply #4 on: September 13, 2009, 04:44:24 PM »
Gorilla glue is one glue I wouldn't use. Used it once and what a mess. Had planned on two or three of Titebond. May even use the dark colored. I used white vinegar and got most of it off. with picks,tooth brush, and wooden Q-tips. in some way the Q-tips did the best job. It is funny what you don't see till you start repairing something. Found three nails that I didn't know about and some wood Besides all of the hard old wood putty that was color up. The wood patch I plan at this time to leave alone. May or may not replace some of the filler with some thing. This isn't a overly petty rifle but it had some nice lines.
David veith
David Veith