Thinkpads Forum

A blob of Krazy Glue Gel wound up on my T30 palm rest in a completely unrelated operation. Don't ask.

I'm about to test a little acetone (nail-polish remover) on an inconspicuous corner to see whether it dissolves TP plastic as well as Krazy Glue Gel, unless someone else has a better suggestion.

Has anyone else a better suggestion?

From Google: because the active ingredient in Crazy Glue and other super bonders is cyanoacrylics, what you really need is 100% acetone. While some fingernail polish does contain this, it's not usually in the strength needed to break the bond. However, for something like a spill or drops on a surface like a countertop, if you pour the nail polish on and let it sit for 15-30 minutes, it may do the trick. Otherwise, you should try a hardware store for the acetone.

Some users report successful removal with lighter fluid. Keep in mind though, that anything of a chemical nature can damage the item with the glue on it. Test a hidden or small area of material or surfaces with the glue on it, and wash hands immediately after having it removed from your skin.

GOOD LUCK

rubbing alcohol and a cloth towel worked for me... youre gonna have to scrub but it takes it right off.

Really? Rubbing alcohol? Even after the glue has cured?

That's got to be potentially less damaging than nail polish/acetone. I'll try that first.

(BTW, the glue is right below the precious tricolor IBM sticker...must protect the sticker.)

I don't suppose you were trying to "Stick it to the man" ?

What about removing the gum from stickers that were place on the lid of a T2x series?

It leaves a gummy residue that methylated spirits will not get rid of.

TonyJZX wrote:What about removing the gum from stickers that were place on the lid of a T2x series?

It leaves a gummy residue that methylated spirits will not get rid of.

Here's a couple of threads on the subject:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=18896

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=3875

For the record, a glob of KG went awry, initially unnoticed, during an eyeglass repair.

Well, after fifteen minutes of gentle scrubbing with a rough, well-saturated cloth, I've convinced myself that isopropanol, whatever its virtues for cleaning display, keyboard, and palmrest, is in no way a solvent for cyanoacrylate-based adhesives. (And first, I carefully reduced the ugly wart to a mere blemish with a razor blade.) Any success reported by others must be due simply to friction.

Before I escalate, has anyone else any experience to relate as to how TP plastic reacts to acetone?

brooklynboy wrote:Before I escalate, has anyone else any experience to relate as to how TP plastic reacts to acetone?

No, but I do know that Acetone is a solvent for plastic, and it liquifies many plastics. If you want to try it, I would definitely try it on an area that you can't see first.

brooklynboy wrote:I'm about to test a little acetone (nail-polish remover) on an inconspicuous corner to see whether it dissolves TP plastic as well as Krazy Glue Gel, unless someone else has a better suggestion.

Yup, I guess I'm now back where I started.

Maybe I'll open it up and test inside.