How to Get Gorilla Glue Off Clothes

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Gorilla Glue is a polyurethane adhesive known for its strong bond. It's durable, waterproof and can be used on a variety of surfaces. The Gorilla Glue bond can expand up to three times to ensure it sticks to a variety of surfaces. It's heat resistant and holds up in cold weather, making it popular for both indoor and outdoor use. As Gorilla Glue is a skin irritant and a challenge to remove from clothes, it's best to take care and avoid drips so it doesn't go anywhere but its intended surface.

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How to Get Gorilla Glue Off Clothes
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How to Use Gorilla Glue

Test a small area of the items you wish to glue just to be sure the glue doesn't cause staining, discoloration or other damage. The surface of the items must be clean and free of dirt and oils that can make it difficult for the glue to adhere. As the glue needs a rougher surface to stick to, some items may require sanding. For example, smooth glass or metal items might be too flat or slick and require a bit of roughening up for the glue to form a proper bond.

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Evenly apply the Gorilla Glue to the dry surfaces and adhere the two surfaces together. Clamp the surfaces tight so they form a snug bond and let sit for at least one to two hours.

Gorilla Glue Cleanup for Skin

Always wear gloves when using Gorilla Glue. If it gets on hands or skin, try wiping it off with a paper towel. If the glue hardens on the skin, use soap and water or an exfoliating hand soap. Avoid using cleaners that contain acetone or alcohol as they can remove the skin's oils, and those oils can help prevent the glue from bonding to the skin. Using lotion after cleaning will keep skin from drying out.

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Gorilla Glue Cleanup for Clothes

Getting Gorilla Glue on fabric doesn't have to mean the end of your clothes. Before attempting to remove adhesive from clothing, check the garment's labels to make sure you're using products and methods that are compatible with the fabric.

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Allow the Gorilla Glue to completely dry on the fabric. Try to gently rub or peel away the glue but proceed cautiously so as not to mar the garment or wear out the fibers. If the glue isn't coming off, use a nail polish remover with acetone. Acetone can remove the color from certain fabrics, so it's a good idea to test a hidden area before attempting to remove adhesive from clothing in this manner.

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If all is well, dampen a soft cloth with a small amount of acetone and apply it to the stain. Rub the stain gently and patiently. It can take a while to dissolve all of the layers of glue. Once there's no more glue, launder as usual to remove any residue. Never put a glue-stained garment into the dryer as the heat will cause the stain to set in permanently.

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