More idiots with glue at work.

[Johnny R]

Does anyone have any suggestions for working with this. I do not want to monkey with it and make it worse. It is sadly not water soluble. Thank for your time.

[Paul R.]

Johnny R... That's a tough call on what appears to be Elmer’s Glue. If the wool fabric is strong and not weak from wear in that area of the glue residue apply white vinegar. Heat the vinegar to a Luke warm temperature dab on to the glued area until wet all through wait about 20 to 30 minutes and see if it lifts to gently peel off. Work slowly on the area.

A second method is using a product called Goo Gone. I have used it before but it leaves behind a filmy smelly residue that needs to be clean. It does work but very slow. Remember it needs to be washed out...

Last method is diluted acetone (i.e. finger nail polish remover). I’m concerned that the polymers components of the glue has traveled into the wool and saturating it. Diluted acetone could cause fading to the wool fabric. I would dab on to a small area. Try a test in a non visual area (seams) to see if it checks out okay (non fading to the coloring). Apply the finger nail polish remover using Q-tips to a small area. Work slowly on a small area at a time. It should lift slightly causing it to be tacky and stringy easy to remove. Good luck!

[Johnny R]

Thanks Paul, I do not think it is Elmers, it looks more like it could be old modeling glue. I will try to work on it slowly. Thank you for your tips.

[Tim B.]

John,

I would second Paul's second suggestion here with trying the "Goo Gone". Work slowly on a portion of the area and see if it lifts the glue residue and if so, go for it.

I've used this solution on medal pendants and ribbons to remove vedrigris or glue in the past and it works surprisingly well, and didn't affect the ribbons at all.

Like Paul mentioned, do wash the area well afterwards to remove any remaining solution from the material.

Good luck!
Tim

[Federico Perez]

Sometimes if the glue is of the thick type...like the regular tube modeling glue for styrene plastic, it would sty mostly on the surface of the cloth, try a couple of ice cubes on top of the dry glue area and very carefuly scrape away with an old soft/medium brush, it has worked for me in the past....again it all depends on what type of glue and how deep it is in the cloth.

[90th Light]

If its "Superglue" and has penatrated inside the cloth then any attempt to remove it will spread it through the cloth. Making the whole thing rock hard so it will snap if you bend it once it drys.

If it is just on the surface, you might get it off but there is a real danger that you will drive it in deeper or weaken the surface of the cloth which will become fluffy/ pulled looking.

Good luck with this one. I hate glue on cloth,

Chris

[DonC]

Goo Gone has worked for me in the past, but you'll probably want to have it dry cleaned afterwards as the odor is pretty strong.

Don

[Johnny R]

My cleaner friend looked at it and thinks it may indeed be Elmers. He is going to use an enzyme digester on it this week. Hopefully it will come out.