How to Remove Glue and Adhesive Stains From Wood

How to Remove Adhesive Stains From Wood

1. Scrape Away Excess Adhesive

   Use an old credit card or a similar, hard-surfaced plastic item to scrape away excess adhesive. You can also use a pull scraper with a sharp blade for larger glue spots or a razor knife if the glue has already dried. You may have to scrape away the glue in layers, so be careful as you get closer to the final layer of the glue and close to the wood itself.

2. Apply Furniture Polish

   Apply furniture polish to remove the stain. Spray the polish directly on the adhesive residue and gently rub it with a cloth. It might help lift the adhesive or glue off, and you'll be done with the task. 

3. Wipe Down the Wood

   Wipe the surface down with a cloth once the stain has been lifted.
   

How to Remove Glue and Adhesive Stains With Nail Polish Remover

If furniture polish wasn't effective at removing the residue, try an acetone-based nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol. This may be especially helpful on stains from superglue.

Dip a cotton swab in nail polish remover and gently apply it to the residue. Lightly scrape the dampened residue with your fingernail or a butter knife. Be careful not to damage the wood while scraping.

How to Remove Glue and Adhesive Stains With Mineral-Based Removal

A mineral-based removal method is another option for getting rid of residue on the wood. Pour a small amount of mineral oil on the spilled adhesive and rub it with a clean cloth. If you only have mineral spirits, combine them in a 1-to-1 ratio with olive oil to make a mixture before lightly applying it to the glue spot.

How to Remove Glue and Adhesive Stains With Commercial Residue Removal

If none of the previous methods work to remove the adhesive from the wood, apply a commercial residue remover to the stain. Always look to the instructions on the back of the product to know how long to let the solution sit on the stain. Wipe down the wood with a clean cloth to remove excess liquid.

How to Remove Glue and Adhesive Stains With Sandpaper

Consider a more aggressive approach if the above methods aren't effective. Sanding the stained wood may work to remove the stain.

A very fine-grit sandpaper is less likely to damage the wood finish because it is used to touch up wood. Start with 600-grit sandpaper. Sand the residue until the sandpaper is level with the wood. If the 600-grit isn't effective, switch to 1200-grit sandpaper, which is a finer-grained option. Once the sandpaper has removed the stain, apply a satin or dull gloss finish to return the shine to the wood.

Additional Tips for Handling Glue and Adhesive Stains on Wood

To protect your wood furniture while repairing, building, or crafting, put down a protective layer of paper. Old newspapers, a drop cloth, or plastic wrap effectively keep glue and adhesives off wood furniture.

Before trying any commercial removal products, particularly ones you're less familiar with, test the solution on a small, inconspicuous area of the wood. Remember that a lot of wood furniture and flooring has a surface finish, such as lacquer or polyurethane, meaning that you're removing the glue from the finish, not the wood itself. Avoid using a product that contains paint thinner as an adhesive remover for wood.