Removing super glue

[Eddie]

Hello

Like a FOOL a stuck my white gauges for my FD3S down ontot he original black dials with super glue.
I want to revert back to my original black faces and have no idea how to remove super glue,
The white faces will come of easy enough but I am left with super glue on the black face, anyone got any experience of superglue remover, shal I bother buying some.
Or anyone got any tips how to remove dried on superglue, I iwas worried about warping or tarnishing the faces.
I have been on the hunt for another set of clocks but people want like 60 quid then delivery which for a set of faces makes me want to try super glue remover first.
ANy advise welcome

Thanks

[RobbieRX-7]

i dont think your gonna win this 1 im afraid ..you`ll probly end up wrecking the faces more if you try any chemicals or abrasives..may as well put your white faces back on..how come you wanna go back to the old black faces anyway? i tried to polish the chrome rings around the faces with brasso and it rubbed the chrome finish off very very easily so be warned!!

[Eddie]

Are well worht a try.
Thanks for your advice.
The reason I am trying to remove the white faces is so that the new gauges I have just put in match the clocks.
My new gauges are tinited glass with red needles and black faces.

I was planing to do a custom job on my faces and make them glow up white instead of orange, like this pic.

YOu have to sand the rear of the gauges to remove the orange film but I think it looks the part.

I may have to buy a new set of clocks just for the gauges then:(

[FD3SNuttah]

if i was you i would keep the white faces and still rub off the orange film, white dials during the day, white illuminated during the night??? if that doesnt work, well your going to have to spend bucks on new clocks.

why dont oyu do a custom job on the dials? maybe you can change the colour of them? or order some different ones??

[RobbieRX-7]

bummer ay? i rember postin that link to the usa site. do a search on this ssite called INSTRUMENT FACES DIY it tells you how to do that..the chaps clocks look brilliant..looks like a tricky job but worth the result..will be doin mine soon

[iiyama]

Water generally removes super glue, but you will need to soak it. Super glue is not water proof!

[peterch]

I know of two ways of removing superglue. Either a sharp tap, ( superglue is brittle ) or heat, either apply a hot soldering iron, or drop it in boiling water. I don\'t know if either of these are pracicle in this instance, but they do both work. Also, if you know anybody down the local hospital, they have some sort of chemical for removing superglue from peoples skin
 All the best Pete.

[Eddie]

bummer ay? i rember postin that link to the usa site. do a search on this ssite called INSTRUMENT FACES DIY it tells you how to do that..the chaps clocks look brilliant..looks like a tricky job but worth the result..will be doin mine soon

THis is the site I got it from
Nice work hunting that down mate, they look the part.

Cant wait to get a set to do it on.

the only difference is I am going to tinit my perspex on the clocks so they match the tinteddials.




 iiyama
 
 Thanks for the info on the water I will give it a try

CHeers for that Pete the wife is a nurse oso I will tey and get hold of that as well.

Saves forking out 60 quid for a new set.

[peterch]

Superglue works by driving out moisture. therefor soapy water on its own should work, but you will probably need to GENTLY tease the parts apart at the same time with a scalpel blade, slowly does it though.
 Boiling water works quickest, they just fall apart.

[Eddie]

Hi all

I am able to separate the white faces from the original black faces its the  glue which remains on the black face which is a problem, I am going ot try soapy water to start with as that will not destroy or warp the face.
BOiling water worries me as I think the faces will warp
I will then try more agressive chemicals if that does not work.

Why o why did I glue them in the first place:(

I usually do things so they can be put back to OEM if I want.

Keep it comming any mor ideas welcomed.

Thanks

[FD3SNuttah]

someone in the office reckons nail varnish remover will do it. however he doesnt know if it will remove the rest of the paint your best of trying it in an inconspicious corner first!

[eyedee]

What type of super glue did you use?  I have found that if it was a thin fast/instant drying type, you may well find it will leave a ghostly white myst behind which will show up like a sore thumb on black plastic.  I wouldnt bother with nail varnish remover as it is abrasive and leaves scratches on plastic.  In fact, I havent found anything to this day that cleanly removes instant (unibond in a small bottle stuff) super glue.  If it was a gel based glue, typically from a tube, warm water may well do the job if you keep rubbing away at the glue for a VERY long period of time.  If you are a bit of a perfectionist and wont settle for marked dials, I think the glue has won this time though matey and you will be better off just ordering replacements.  

Cheers

[RobbieRX-7]

this might sound a bit long shot but its one thing i would try in a last attempt to get the stuff off..could you go to a scrap yard and just wonder round the yard untill you find some clock faces knocking about..pour on a bit of superglue then try any chemical you can think off to get rid of the glue..(brasso ,t-cut, turps, white spirits diluted paint stripper, petrol, parrafin wd40 you get the idea! or you could just ask the yard owner if he would donate some ****ty broken clocks to you and try it at home. if you can find a chemical tha safely removes the glue without melting or wrecking the plastic let us know.

can anyone else think of some chemicals he could try on these broken ****ty austin allegro clocks??

[colinrx7surrey]

if u can remove the modded dials matey - and the glue staining is left behind,then try to use a razor blade to ease the glue staing off-but use warm water too other wise the blade will scratch the dials-hopoe this help cheers colin

[Eddie]

I really appreciate the reponces, I will be trying all these things out in order of dial warping killing ability, first I will try warm water then go down the list till I find something that will work.

Good one on the dials forma  scrap yard its worth a try and I have plenty of scrapyards near me, one will defo let me have some.

It was fast super glue out os a small tube,drying glue but I do not seem to have any white marks.

Fingers crossed as I dont fance paying 80 quid for a new set of clocks just to remove the faces:(

I will keep you posted