When a cherished engagement ring becomes damaged or a stone becomes loose, you may reach for the super glue to fix the problem. Although super glue does create a strong bond, most super glue on the consumer market doesn’t dry clear and creates an uneven surface, making for an unsightly repair. If you’ve gotten super glue on an engagement ring due to a repair mishap or a project gone wrong, there are several ways to remove it from your jewelry.
Remove super glue from engagement rings with acetone (on solid gold or platinum) or isopropyl alcohol (on silver). For tough super glues, try a debonder of the same brand. Gentler methods include freezing the ring to break the bond or softening the glue with heat. Seek expert help if all else fails.
This article details several methods for removing super glue from an engagement ring, from using solvents to applying heat. It also covers multiple tips to maximize your chances of success and prevent damaging your jewelry. Read on to learn more.
1. Use a Solvent
You can use acetone to remove super glue from solid gold or platinum engagement rings. If the ring is gold plated, avoid using acetone, as it can tarnish the silver underneath. Acetone shouldn’t be used on silver rings, as it eats away at the silver. Instead, use isopropyl alcohol to clean super glue from silver engagement rings. You should also avoid using acetone on lacquered engagement rings.
To remove super glue from an engagement ring using acetone, isopropyl alcohol, or another solvent, follow these instructions:
- Clean and dry the jewelry. Ensure the engagement ring is clean and dry before attempting to remove the super glue.
- Test the solvent on the ring. Dip a cotton swab into the solvent. Dab a small amount of the solution on a small area of the interior band of the ring. Wait for two hours and inspect the inner band. If there is no discoloration, tarnishing, or other undesired effects, move on to step three. Otherwise, seek advice from a jeweler.
- Soak a cotton swab, cotton ball, or cotton swab in the solvent. Rub the cotton over the area with the dried super glue in circular motions using firm pressure. Ensure the glue is well-saturated. Allow it to sit on the glue for at least five minutes. Don’t be alarmed if the solvent disappears; isopropyl alcohol and acetone evaporate quickly, but they’re still doing their job.
- Remove the glue. The solvent should have softened the glue enough to gently scrape it off using a scraper or another makeshift tool (i.e., plastic floss pick, toothpick, etc.). Avoid using metal scrapers, as these may damage the precious metal.
- Repeat the above steps as needed. If there is dried-on glue left on the engagement ring, continue performing the above process until all the adhesive is removed.
- Clean and polish the ring. Use a jewelry cleaner to remove solvent build-up, then polish the ring before wearing it.
Some solvents work by creating a chemical reaction that heats up the glue and renders the bond ineffective. Others work by breaking down the bond between the hardened adhesive and the metal, making it easier to push away using a scraping tool or a fingernail.
Occasionally, you’ll come across a super glue that’s incredibly difficult to remove. In these cases, you may need to opt for a stronger product. For tough super glue bonds, I recommend the Damn Good Super Glue Remover, available on Amazon. Cyanoacrylate adhesive doesn’t stand a chance against this product as it removes most dried-on super glue better than acetone — and it’s used in exactly the same steps as mentioned above.
2. Try a Debonder
Depending on the specific brand of super glue that’s stuck to your engagement ring, there may be a debonding product available from the same brand. For example, if you used Bob Smith Industries Maxi-Cure Super Glue, the Bob Smith Industries Debonder is the best choice for removing the glue.
The reason I recommend choosing a debonder of the same brand as the glue is that the company that formulated it knows what’s in the glue. Therefore, they know exactly what needs to go in the debonder to remove the adhesive.
That said, it’s important to research the ingredients of all debonders before using them on any metals, especially the precious metals of an engagement ring. After removing the super glue, the last thing you want is a tarnished or damaged ring.
If you’re unable to find a debonding product of the same brand, head to a craft store and look for a product designed to debond super glue. Many of the uncuring products found in craft stores are designed for use on the skin, so they’re not as harsh as some found in hardware stores. However, it’s still advisable to know how they’ll work on your ring, so always test the inner band with a small dab of product before cleaning the entire ring.
3. Put the Ring in the Freezer
Still having trouble getting the super glue off your engagement ring? Try popping it in the freezer for an hour or two. Though it might seem a little silly, it actually makes sense from a scientific perspective.
When painting a room or trying to glue things together in the cold, they never adhere as well as they do when it’s warm. The same thing applies when there’s already a bond. The bond becomes less and less effective at lower temperatures. Freezing eventually causes the trapped water droplets in the dried super glue to expand. This creates fissures, which make the glue super easy to remove with a bit of scraping.
You can try this yourself by sticking the engagement ring in the freezer for an hour or longer. After removing it, quickly attempt to scrape, pick, or flick away the super glue stuck on the ring. In most cases, it’ll come off with ease.
4. Apply Heat
So, you’ve tried solvents and debonders, and you’ve even gone so far as to put the ring in the freezer, yet the super glue remains. What next?
Try adding heat.
You can add heat using a hair dryer on the lowest setting. Hold the ring while wearing a thermal glove (to protect your hand from burns). Turn on the hair dryer and apply heat to the ring for 30 seconds or until the glue begins to soften.
Heat softens super glue, weakening the adhesive and temporarily breaking the adhesive bond. Use this method in combination with scraping. Avoid using solvents when applying heat, as most solvents that weaken adhesive bonds are flammable. The combination of heat and flammable solvents could lead to a deadly situation.
You may need to work quickly because once the glue dries again, it’ll solidify. After you’ve scraped or wiped away the super glue, use a jewelry cleaner to clean the ring before wearing it again.
5. Seek Help From a Professional Jeweler
When all else fails, throw in the towel and seek the expert help of a professional jeweler. These experts have the tools and materials needed to remove super glue and other adhesives from jewelry without causing damage. If they don’t have the tools readily available, they know where to send the jewelry to have it repaired in a timely manner.
While the above methods have shown promise and saved many engagement rings over the years, it’s not advisable to subject jewelry to multiple methods of repair if the super glue shows no signs of budging. Ultimately, you may damage the jewelry and make the situation worse. Therefore, it’s best to leave the work to the professionals after exhausting the four prior methods.
Will Super Glue Damage Diamonds?
Super glue will not damage diamonds, although it can temporarily cover them with an unsightly, rigid coating. Once the coating is successfully removed, the diamond will shine like new again.
Diamonds are the hardest stone on earth, rated at a 10 on Mohs Hardness Scale. The surface of most jewelry-quality diamonds is without ridges or grooves, so there is no rough surface for the super glue to adhere to. As such, once the super glue dries, it should easily slide off without any sign it was ever there. You may even be able to push or flick it off with ease.
Diamond flakes, however, may be lifted out of place with super glue. If your engagement ring contains flecks or flakes, leave the super glue removal to the expert jewelers.
Tips for Removing Super Glue From an Engagement Ring
Considerations for Metals, Stones, and Dyes
Depending on the material of your ring and the type of stones, if any, set in the ring, there are several products and methods to avoid. Otherwise, you may damage your ring beyond repair.
Acetone is a go-to solvent for cleaning many metals, and it won’t corrode gold. However, it can cause silver to tarnish because of acetone’s sulfur content. You’ll have to remove acetone using a silver polish to restore the ring to its original shine. However, any level of polishing causes a minor amount of damage to the jewelry.
You should also avoid using acetone on engagement rings with jewels or stones set using shellac. Acetone will degrade the shellac, causing the stones to loosen and fall off.
When removing super glue from metals, take care not to let the solvent leak onto surrounding surfaces or materials.
White gold jewelry may become yellow-toned when exposed to acids or solvents. As such, avoid using acetone, isopropyl alcohol, or citric-based cleaners on this metal. Fortunately, if you’ve made a mistake and accidentally caused discoloration, jewelers can plate the ring with rhodium to restore it to its original hue.
Never expose precious metal engagement rings to chlorine, including in pools or hot tubs or while cleaning with bleach products. Chlorine may cause pitting in certain metals, which weakens them over extended exposure periods.
Be mindful when cleaning super glue from engagement rings containing stones. Porous stones (i.e., pearl, opal, emerald, onyx, etc.) may not react well with specific solvents and require special maintenance and care. Additionally, solvents may inadvertently weaken the bond used to hold stones in place.
Soft stones may also be scratched by hardened super glue as it’s scraped off. It’s essential to use a gentle touch and ensure the glue is softened before scraping away at the surface of the ring or any stones.
Finally, avoid using hydrogen peroxide on dyed stones, as it can significantly reduce the color saturation of dyed opal.
Removing Super Glue From Prongs, Gaps, or Tiny Grooves
Sometimes, super glue finds its way into the tiniest of spaces on engagement rings, including between the prongs, in grooves, or even inside engraved lettering.
Here’s how to remove super glue embedded into small gaps:
- Dip a cotton swab into an appropriate solvent (as discussed in this article), such as acetone. Use the cotton swab to saturate the area where the super glue is embedded, using firm pressure to ensure the solvent enters the grooves and gaps.
- Use a needle to poke at the dried glue. The tip of a sewing needle is excellent for this purpose, as it is very fine. You can gently raise the edges of the adhesive to allow the solvent to penetrate underneath the layer and weaken the bond.
- Repeat the process. Continue these steps until all of the embedded glue has been removed from the ring.
- Clean the ring. Use a jewelry cleaner to clean the ring and then polish it before wearing.
General Safety
Most of the solvents mentioned in this article are highly flammable. Do not use these products near flames or heat sources. You should also use solvents in a well-ventilated place. If the fumes are too much, stop what you’re doing and immediately move to an area with fresh air.
Be mindful when scraping glue off of jewelry. The use of liquids and soft super glue may make the surface slippery. This can cause the hand to accidentally slip, leading you to scratch or injure yourself if you’re not careful.
Conclusion
An engagement ring isn’t ruined by a drop or two of super glue. There are multiple ways to remove the adhesive. Several of these methods may be completed in your home using easily accessible materials. If these fixes don’t work, jewelers often have access to the materials required to get your engagement ring looking new again.
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