Some time ago, I acquired an item bearing large cracks to the body that had been repaired with what appears to be superglue. The item is of reasonable historic value, so I would like to pursue restoring it to a more usable state. Has anyone here had experience removing glue? I've heard acetone recommended, bur I'm unsure if that's wise for an unglazed pot.
In addition, the cracks do not go all the way through the item, meaning it isn't split into pieces. This may make accessing parts of the glue repair harder, if removal requires direct application.
Removing glue from unglazed wares
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pathlesstaken
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acetone will dissolve CA. it may also dissolve or soften other adhesives.
what type of item is it? what do you mean get it into a more usable state?
there is a risk of the acetone causing a contaminant (oil, adhesive, paint?) to move across the surface of or into unglazed clay.
you didn't give a lot of info, but i'd probably just use acetone.
what type of item is it? what do you mean get it into a more usable state?
there is a risk of the acetone causing a contaminant (oil, adhesive, paint?) to move across the surface of or into unglazed clay.
you didn't give a lot of info, but i'd probably just use acetone.
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pathlesstaken
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pedant wrote: ↑Thu Feb 20, 2025 6:43 pmacetone will dissolve CA. it may also dissolve or soften other adhesives.
what type of item is it? what do you mean get it into a more usable state?
there is a risk of the acetone causing a contaminant (oil, adhesive, paint?) to move across the surface of or into unglazed clay.
you didn't give a lot of info, but i'd probably just use acetone.
Ah, sorry. It's an unglazed Staffordshire teapot. I want to undo the glue repair and re-repair it with something else, in order to make it a usable item. I don't trust glue with boiling water.
i see. do you have a plan yet?pathlesstaken wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2025 2:46 amre-repair it with something else, in order to make it a usable item. I don't trust glue with boiling water.
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pathlesstaken
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Not at the moment. It's missing a lid, so I'd want to make a lid, and I'm considering trying to learn or commission some staple repair. While it's not 100% watertight, it's better than glue, and could be reasonable given the cracks don't appear to split the body entirely.pedant wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2025 5:32 pmi see. do you have a plan yet?pathlesstaken wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2025 2:46 amre-repair it with something else, in order to make it a usable item. I don't trust glue with boiling water.
I have had success with removing an unknown glue int the past by boiling the teapot with a clean cloth in a pot on the stove briefly and allowing it to cool in the water.
The adhesive way brittle and flaked off after repeating this process a few times.
Another time I removed a handle that was glued on by placing the teapot in a cold electric oven and heating it to around 220°c (no reason for this number, just what I did).
The handle was able to be forced off while at this higher temperature. I then let it cool down in the oven afterwards.
This piece was less precious so I am unsure how risky it is.
The adhesive way brittle and flaked off after repeating this process a few times.
Another time I removed a handle that was glued on by placing the teapot in a cold electric oven and heating it to around 220°c (no reason for this number, just what I did).
The handle was able to be forced off while at this higher temperature. I then let it cool down in the oven afterwards.
This piece was less precious so I am unsure how risky it is.