Removing super glue from plexi: possible?

[Treadwell]

I goofed, and have a smear on smoked plexi. I need to get it off without a trace.

I'm thinking acetone would remove the glue but would also cloud the plexi.

Is all lost?

 

[maxaddict]

Break fluid on a cotton ball old model trick it's surface tention is so low will get under the glue or paint and not effect the finish of the plexus let it sit over night and it will wipe.away in the morning

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[Treadwell]

I'll give it a shot, thanks!

 

[Treadwell]

to clarify: brake fluid, not brake cleaner, correct?

 

[njrp]

Id assume Brake fluid. Cleaner would likely destroy all it touches, that's some potent stuff.

 

[JonCorfield]

Brake Fluid is also very corosive. Dont get it on your clothes. I would be trying it on an inconspicuous section first.

 

[Scotophor]

IMO what you want to do is technically impossible. Cured cyanoacrylate "super glue" and "plexi" plastic are both acrylics; the bond is molecular between essentially identical materials, so there is no way to "undo" it chemically without damaging the item.

However, with the right selection of abrasives it should be possible to sand and polish the "goof" away. Depending upon how thick the glue smear is, you might start by wet-sanding with 600 grit paper (or coarser or finer as needed), then as you get the blemish out, repeat wet-sanding with finer grits of paper, then finish off with a plastic polish such as Novus #2. If the Novus #2 treatment reveals scratches left behind from the sandpaper, you can go back over it with Novus #3 (scratch remover), then #2 again for a perfect finish.

 

[YenChih Lin]

Unfortunately Scotophor is right - Cyanoacrylate is the chemical name for Superglue and Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) for Plexiglas aka Acrylic Glass. The similar chemical parts are the crystallized acryl bond. Differing them is the Cyano C=N bond and the mesh-like Methlymeth bond.

 

[Treadwell]

Well don't tell my plexi because the brake fluid took it right off! :lol

Thanks for all the input, folks!

 

[USS Endeav]

Nice. I'll be keeping this trick in mind.