Learning to get Gorilla Glue off hands has become crucial. We’ve always known that strong glue can be dangerous but it wasn’t until this last year that Gorilla Glue was in the spotlight, ensuring that we take caution when buying it. But that shouldn’t deter us from using this magical glue altogether.

Gorilla Glue is still a great product that can be the answer to a lot of repairs in your home. But before you do use it, make sure that you learn everything that you need to about cleaning up Gorilla Glue.

How To Get Gorilla Glue Off Hands

The method of removing Gorilla Glue from your skin depends on the situation. Because it won’t be the same for wet glue as it is for dry glue. In fact, there are a few common situations that people find themselves in.

These situations are quite common but they don’t end in disaster. They are cleared up in just a few minutes. So, you are here without glue on your skin so that you can have it removed when and if it does happen.

While Working: Keep Cleaning Gorilla Glue Off Hands

When working, do your best to clean your skin often and keep cleaning it every time even the smallest amount of glue gets on it. Keep a wet rag on hand when you are working and clean your hands like you do paint that drips on the floor.

If you are doing something that doesn’t require your precise touch, then feel free to wear gloves. Gloves that can be disposed of are best as long as they aren’t thin enough that the glue seeps through them.

On Wet Glue: Warm Water And Cloth

This is the best time to remove the glue. When it is wet, you can remove it with a wet cloth. You can also just wash your hands in the sink when the glue is wet. This may be your best option.

Letting glue dry is not ideal. Because the wet glue is not set yet so it is easy to wipe, dry glue is worse. Gorilla Glue is a strong glue and not being washed away is one of the perks of using it.

On Dry Glue: Acetone And Exfoliate

If on your skin, gently rub acetone on the skin. Be careful using acetone around open wounds as it can burn. Instead, test it on the area first before submerging your skin or using an excessive amount.

After you feel like you have most of the glue out, you can exfoliate to remove the tiny excess and to get your skin feeling smooth again. This is almost necessary if you don’t want to have a long recovery.

When Fingers Are Stuck: Acetone To Get Gorilla Glue Off Hands

This can be one of the most frightening things that happen with glue but you should not panic. Your fingers will be free soon. The most important thing to do is not panic.

Never rip your fingers apart or else there will be scarring and missing skin. Instead, don’t move them at all. Just soak the fingers in a bowl of acetone, loosening it as you go. Then, wiggle your fingers free.

How To Remove Gorilla Glue From Glass

Here is another time when acetone comes in handy. You can use it to remove Gorilla Glue from glass. Just use an acetone-soaked cloth and hold it on the surface. Then, peel the pliable glue up or scrape it off.

If you worry about the glass at this point then count yourself lucky that you didn’t get it on anything else. Glass is one of the easiest things to remove Gorilla Glue from due to the smooth and non-textured surface.

How To Remove Gorilla Glue From Metal

On unpainted metal, you should soak the glue in Acetone or chisel the glue away. If the metal is painted, there are a few options. You can either scrape it away, use sandpaper, or heat the metal up.

When heating, make sure you don’t use something that can melt the glass. Instead, start with a blowdryer, then an iron. The iron should work to heat the glue, just put something between the iron and the glue.

How To Remove Gorilla Glue From Clothing

If you have access to a good dry cleaner then that is the best option. If you don’t then start by letting the glue dry so you won’t push it further into the fabric or spread it around. Then, start scraping it.

Scrape and if you are having trouble you can add a little lemon juice to help break the glue down. Let the lemon juice soak for a few minutes then scrape again. Just be careful not to stretch the fabric out.

How To Remove Gorilla Glue From Furniture

This is wood furniture, of course. For wood furniture, you can remove the wood flue with a damp cloth while it is wet. That is the easy way out. The difficulty comes if you let the glue dry before removing it.

Once dry, paint thinner, acetone, and sandpaper are better options. Start with acetone if you have it on hand and if not, then buy a little paint thinner. After you remove most of the glue, you can sand the wood down.

Wood Glue: The Alternative

If you are afraid of Gorilla Glue then you are not alone. After recent events, many people are afraid they could have an accident with this strong glue. If this is you then maybe you should consider using standard wood glue.

We have a complete guide on wood glue that will take you through the steps to using it, projects you can use it on, and the best wood glues you can buy online. Wood glue is safe and easy to use.

Using Glue Bottles

A great way to keep your hands free of Gorilla Glue when using it is to use glue bottles. Glue bottles are bottles that you can fill with the glue you have chosen and it will make using that glue mess-free.

There are many different types of glue bottles. Some are similar to the bottles you’d see the glue in while others are specialty bottles that can help direct and protect even more. They are worth looking into.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ

Why does the surface need to be wet?

Gorilla Glue is a moisture-activated polyurethane adhesive, so you need to apply a little bit of water to the surface you are gluing. This makes Gorilla Glue work better and gives you more control over what is glued.

Is Gorilla Glue Waterproof?

After it cures, yes, Gorilla Glue is 100% waterproof. If the glue is dry then water cannot touch it. Or at least it won’t harm it. Gorilla Glue can actually create a waterproof seal like caulk does in a way. So yes, it is waterproof.

How much Gorilla Glue should I apply?

In general, Gorilla Glue expands about three times what you apply. So don’t get too generous with the amount that you apply. Instead, take it easy and start with a very thin layer of Gorilla Glue on the surface.

Do I Need Clamps?

We recommend clamps for the Gorilla Glue as it expands and cures. When this happens, the whole piece can shift and won’t dry as you want it to. So use clamps if you can get them. If not, weigh down the item with rocks or something heavy.

Should I Wear Gloves?

Yes, we recommend that you always wear gloves so that you don’t need to get Gorilla Glue off hands. This will prevent you from ever needing most of the information you’ve learned about today. In this case, that is a very good thing. So wear gloves if you have them.

Will Gorilla Glue Stick To Anything?

Gorilla Glue will work well on most materials, but it struggles to adhere to polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) plastics. It also isn’t ideal for most rubber but you can always test it out in very small amounts.

Should I Use Gorilla Glue?

This is up to you. In the end, it isn’t more dangerous than any other chemical or glue meant for adults. It definitely shouldn’t be for children but adults should be able to use it without a problem.

So if you think it will do you well then go ahead and try it. Keep some on hand because if you keep it sealed, Gorilla Glue can last for a very long time. Don’t let one incident deter you, make the decision for yourself.