Any tips on removing superglue residue?

[GimmeYerGold]

This wizard arrived with a broken staff, and after repairing it with super glue, I'm stuck with this ghosty residue:





Anyone experience this problem before?

[Anderas]

yes....
Super glue binds together with humidity
Sometimes, it first vaporizes just to come back nearby where there's a little humidity from your fingers or your breath.
Then, it dries white; which is extremely annoying if the model was already painted.

This is why I hate Superglue, and this is why I prefer plastic above resin or metal; because you can use a different kind of glue there.

[slev]

That is now part of the model. To fix it, you'll want to shave it with a sharp modelling knife, as if you where removing a mould line.

Alternatively a VERY thin run of "Liquid Green Stuff" could smooth it out, but it's very tricky to use that way.

[whitebeard]

You should be able to clean this up so that you can't see it after painting, but it's a bit of work. In the future you need to use only a small fraction of the glue, it should never visibly squeeze out when you push the joint together. To make it set faster, I pull it apart 3 or 4 times and breath on it, like you are trying to fog a window. The more glue you use the longer the set takes and the more likely it is to go everywhere. Running the part under water freezes any excess (before it spreads out like this). But I've never done this with a mini, it could produce a cool "I've been slimed" effect.

[slev]

You can actually get extra-thin super glue for modelling purposes. Easier to control and gives a much better join too!

Water will, as Whitebread says, denature the glue, but it will "slime" the mini. If you need a fast set, you need an accellerant such as "Zip Kick".

[Rook]

The ghosting/frosting is extremely irritating. I've heard of people getting rid of it with acetone (Nail polish remover) and a q-tip, but I've never tried it so I can't personally vouch for it.

On the plus side if it doesn't work it wont harm the mini, just make sure you're using the q-tip and not dunking it in the acetone. Even if you spill it on the model just be sure to wash it off.

Failing that you could also use a very fine gauge file, like a jeweler's file, and slowly remove it. Just remember you're not trying to remove mould lines, but instead giving a light 'polish' to the surface.

Hope that helps!

[Thantos]

Could try superglue remover
https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/shop ... 1&usqp=CAE

It can take several applications, but is good at reducing super glue to a sticky honey which can be cleaned off

[mukami]

I've always been able to "brush" off the residue. Take an old toothbrush and lightly scrub the area. You can use heavily diluted nail polish remover on metals, but you run the risk of melting plastics and resin.

Also you can try washing the area. Mix up a little dish soap and use a Q-tip to scrub the residue off, just be sure to rinse well.