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MMD > Archives > October 2017 > 2017.10.10 > 01Prev  Next


The Joys (?) Of Silicone (?) Adhesive
By Jeff Davis

When I come across a glue I'm not sure of, I try a couple of tests.
Test number one is to take a bit and apply my heat gun to it.  If it
bubbles and boils and ends up looking all blistered, it's probably hot
glue.  (Yay!)  If heat just softens it, it may be RTV or some type of
woodworkers glue.  (Boo!)

Test number two is to put a glob of glue in very hot water and wait a
few minutes If it turns white, it is woodworkers glue.  If it disappears,
it is hot glue.  If nothing happens, RTV is in order.  I have not come
across RTV glue yet so I don't know how to efficiently remove it.

Hot glue can be removed by sanding.  Heat also breaks it down so I have
an old iron and a heat gun on hand.  I also use wet rags, as water also
breaks it down.

For "Woodworkers" type glue, I use a heat gun and a very sharp chisel.
Holding the glue gun in my left, off hand, I heat to soften a section
of glue and then run the chisel under the glue.  A sharp chisel goes
under the glue and if you are careful, above the wood.  This process
can be slow and messy.  You may need an extra chisel as they will get
hot.

I also use Superglue Remover.  It works -- I don't know why.  Apply it
liberally, give it a short time to soften the glue and the scrape it
off.  Again, it's a messy process.

For RTV, I may try a strong solution of acetic acid, a.k.a. vinegar.
I got some very strong glacial acetic acid from a photography supplier
several years ago.  You might try on-line as well.  Regular home
vinegar may not be strong enough or may work very slowly.

Good luck and keep us all posted.

Jeff Davis - in Seattle, where October goes from late summer
to mid-winter in only 31 days.


(Message sent Mon 9 Oct 2017, 17:47:51 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Adhesive, Joys, Silicone

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