How to Dissolve Wood Glue

Using wood glue is one of the most popular and effective ways to bind wood pieces together. Not only is it easy to use but it’s also very powerful and offers durable bonding ability. However, misplaced applications do happen and you can end up with unsatisfied results.

Fortunately, there are some effective methods that you can use to dissolve wood glue. In this article, I’ll discuss these methods that will help you remove unwanted glue easily.

How to Dissolve Wood Glue

Dissolving wood glue doesn’t have to be a difficult task. Just make sure that you use the right equipment mentioned in each method listed below.

Use a Commercial Glue Remover

Using commercial glue removers is the most effective way to dissolve wood glue. These products come with substances that break down glue compounds and dissolve them. Make sure that you use the manufacturer’s recommendations to avoid unwanted results.

This method is safe to use for any wood type. You can apply it to finished wood and painted surfaces as well. The following steps will allow you to dissolve wood glue using a commercial glue remover.

1. Pour some drops of glue remover over the surface with the wood glue you want to dissolve.
2. Let the glue remover sit on glue for five to 10 minutes. This duration can vary from product to product. So, make sure that you read the manufacturer’s recommendations to find out the correct time.
3. Use a scraper or sponge to remove the dissolved glue from the surface. Many commercial glue removers come with a built-in scraper that you can use.
4. After removing the glue, use a dry towel to clean the remover’s residue from the surface.

Important Note: Some commercial products contain chemicals that can be harmful to your health. So, make sure that you wear a respirator, pair of rubber gloves, and safety goggles to ensure your protection.

Use Boiling Water

There are different types of wood glues available in the market. Some of them contain water-soluble compounds such as PVA (Polyvinyl Acetate). If you want to dissolve this type of glue, you should use boiling water. The following steps will help you complete the process easily

1. Add two to three cups of water to a saucepan and place it over your stovetop.
2. Turn the stove on and select high-temperature settings.
3. Let the water boil, which will take about five minutes.
4. Turn off the stove once the water is boiled and remove the saucepan. 
5. Make sure that you wear a pair of safety gloves to keep your hands from burning.
6. Dip a towel inside the boiling water using tongs and let it soak.
7. Place the wet towel on the wood glue that you want to dissolve.
8. Wait for at least five to eight minutes to let the hot water dissolve the glue.
9. After that, remove the towel from the surface and use a sponge to remove the dissolved glue.

Sometimes boiling water isn’t strong enough to dissolve and remove wood glue.

Use a Nail Polish Remover (Acetone)

If you want to dissolve and remove super glue from wood, consider using a nail polish remover. It can also help you dissolve superglue from a range of different surfaces such as plastic, aluminum, and steel. 

However, you need to keep in mind that nail polish remover contains a substance, called acetone, which can damage some types of paints.

A good strategy is to apply nail polish remover to a non-visible part of the surface to see if it’s safe to use. But the safest approach is to use this method only to dissolve glue from unfinished wood surfaces.

Then, you can use the following steps to dissolve glue using this liquid.

1. Pour a few drops of nail polish remover on the surface that contains the wood glue you want to dissolve.
2. Leave it for about 10 minutes so that the liquid can dissolve the glue.
3. Grab a piece of cotton and dip it in nail polish remover and rub it on the surface for 20 to 30 seconds.
4. After that, use a plastic spatula to scrape the glue away.
5. Clean the surface properly using a dry towel.

Use Vinegar

Vinegar is an acidic liquid that can dissolve wood glue efficiently. Some woodworkers also use it to clean wood because it’s completely safe to use on wood without damaging the surface.

You can use this method on all types of wood and finishes as it doesn’t cause any damage or warping.

The following steps will help you dissolve wood glue using vinegar easily.

1. Add one cup of vinegar to a saucepan and place it on the stovetop.
2. Select low-temperature settings and turn the stove on.
3. Let the vinegar heat for 40 to 60 seconds. Keep in mind that you don’t want to boil the liquid because it’s unnecessary. Warm vinegar can dissolve glue effectively.
4. Pour some warm vinegar on the surface with dried wood glue.
5. Cover the surface using a piece of cloth.
6. Pour some more vinegar on the cloth and leave it for three to five minutes.
7. Remove the cloth and use it to rub the surface gently to clean the dissolved glue.

If you still see some glue stains, you’ll need to repeat the process to get rid of them.

Use Rubbing Alcohol

Using rubbing alcohol is another efficient and affordable method to dissolve wood glue. However, you must not use this method if the wood surface is varnished or painted. While it’ll dissolve wood glue, it’ll severly damage the finish.

So, it’s best to use rubbing alcohol for raw wood and ceramic surfaces with glue. Use the following steps to complete this method.

1. Dip a towel or piece of cloth in rubbing alcohol and place it on the surface with wood glue
2. Leave it for about five minutes.
3. Remove the towel or piece of cloth and use it to get rid of dissolved wood glue residue.

Use Lemon Oil

You can use lemon in the same way as rubbing alcohol to dissolve wood glue.

Keep in mind that oil can change the color tone of a finished surface by darkening it.

So, I recommend you use lemon oil on an unfinished surface. Additionally, you can also use any vegetable oil for the same purpose.

Use Alkaline Liquid

Alkaline liquids come with corrosive properties making them a great option to dissolve wood glue. One of the best alkaline liquids for this purpose is ammonia. 

But you should not use it to dissolve glue from hardwood floors. Its corrosive properties can dull and discolor the floor’s finished surface. You can use the steps listed below for this method.

1. Wear a facemask, safety goggles, and latex gloves before you pick up liquid ammonia. It’s an extremely important step because ammonia can hurt your skin and cause respiratory issues.
2. Open the bottle containing liquid ammonia carefully and pour a few drops on wood glue.
3. Let it sit for about three to five minutes.
4. Use a dry piece of cloth to clean the surface.
5. Make sure that you don’t rub the surface while using ammonia as it can cause damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Words

Different wood glue types come with different formulations and dissolving them can be tricky. However, using the methods discussed in this guide will help you dissolve any wood glue type. Whatever method you use, make sure that you follow each step carefully to achieve the most optimal outcome.