Undo the Glue

Countdown · Post by **Countdown** » Sun May 01, 2011 7:51 pm

I recently picked up an old G1 figure and I was unaware that it received super glue treatments. Is there anyway to undo the glue?

Perhaps to dissolve it somehow? It isn't much glue. I would just rather replace the broken piece with a piece that isn't broken.

Thanks for any replies!

-- edit --

I did some google-fu and was able to learn some techniques for removing super glue. Many however seemed disastrous for plastics.

Right now, I am trying warm water and dabbing the super glue away. The problem seems to be that the glue has set there for possibly years.

Post by **Time Traveller** » Sun May 01, 2011 11:14 pm

Frankly, when I've had messy glue jobs come into my position, I try to re-separate (yes, break) them at the glue joint, sand or scrape the glue away, and redo it neatly myself.

Countdown · Post by **Countdown** » Mon May 02, 2011 8:05 pm

Thanks TT! I am concerned about breaking this part. I am afraid to try that. I have tried to give it a break. But, I am afraid of a big break. I am afraid to sand it because it is a joint. If I sand the joint it might be too loose for the piece to lock in. Hmmm

Does anyone have any opinions on non-acetone nail polish remover?

Is it damaging to plastic?

Post by **Time Traveller** » Thu May 05, 2011 10:03 pm

it will eat your plastic like cookie monster eats cookies. Don't use it.

Countdown · Post by **Countdown** » Thu May 05, 2011 10:10 pm

Thanks TT! Glad I didn't do it.

Post by **Time Traveller** » Thu May 05, 2011 10:47 pm

Me too! Sorry there aren't many better methods....

Redline · Post by **Redline** » Mon May 09, 2011 6:34 pm

This is a completely amateur suggestion with no previous toy-repair experience to back it up, but have you tried freezing the piece? It can cause things to shrink a little or the glue to be a little more brittle, and I don't think it would cause any damage to the toy if it didn't work? Just be careful, as the plastic might be a little more brittle too. (I'm thinking of freezer shelves that I fought with trying to glue them together for many months, with lots of glue breakage before I got it to work.)

Your thoughts on this, TT?

Roadbuster · Post by **Roadbuster** » Mon May 09, 2011 6:54 pm

Apply some Drano Max Gel to an applied area and see if that works. Apparently it's safe on plastics too (according to Google Fu), though I've never tried this method.

Countdown · Post by **Countdown** » Mon May 09, 2011 9:51 pm

Awesome ideas all!

I'll be sure to try out some of those ideas!