How to remove excess glue?

[pjgtech]

Hi, so I was a bit heavy handed with some glue (eg: Tamiya extra thin adhesive) and I now have a small "splodge" on the bodywork of my current build (Honda Blackbird Bike).

What is the best way to gently remove the glue without damaging the bodywork, if possible?

Trying to avoid sanding it down if possible, so looking for something that will lift the glue or dissolve it or loosen it so I can gently scrape off / remove.

I have various chemicals, eg: thinners for acrylic, and thinners for oil paint and thinners for enamel paint, plus I have super glue remover and white spirts and turps.
But thought I'd ask here before going at it, cheers.

NB: if it helps its a Tamiya 1:12 scale plastic kit.

[pjgtech]

Hmm, having now googled it a bit, seems like it can't be removed. As its one of the "hot" glues that literally melts the plastic.
One person online suggested very gently scraping with a scalpel or similar to slowly remove and excess build up, but would need to be very, very gentle and careful.
I'm usually quite good with the application of extra thin, but got a bit complacent and over zealous today and slapped it on a bit too much and got a bit of "overspill", my fault, not paying attention or being careful enough, stupid schoolboy error, Doh!

I'll give the scalpel a try, but really don't want to damage the bike bodywork.
Its a nice factory Metallic Grey, so I decided early on that I would not be painting the main body panels, despite painting lots of the other bits.
So if I damage a body part now, I will have to mix up an exact match to repaint it!

[flyjoe180]

That's a tricky one Peter, normally I would recommend lightly sanding, as one does for glue finger prints etc. I am unaware of any other technique, as the glue 'welds' the plastic, any substance that might remove the glue may attack the plastic itself as well. Unfortunately I think you might be looking at a paint job on that part after sanding.

[Steven000]

I use a 'rounded' scalpel blade for something like that, not much else you can do unfortunately, hope you can get it sorted, cheers

[Tim Marlow]

As you’ve found, Tamiya extra thin (TET) is just solvent, not a glue. TET works by dissolving the two surfaces to be joined and letting them mix before they dry. Glues are a combination of solvent and filler, so have gap filling qualities. They work by bonding the filler to both surfaces to be joined, and then solidifying when the solvent evaporates. There is therefore no residue with TET unfortunately, just melted plastic, but even glues like Contacta will leave melted plastic behind..

The only real solution is to mechanically restore the surface by scraping and sanding, as the guys have said, filling any scratches or dents as you go. It’s something we’ve all done in the past, and will probably do in the future….don’t feel bad about it……

[pjgtech]

Scalpel and very fine sanding has got rid of some of it, will have another go tomorrow. Just annoyed with myself for being so sloppy!
Ho hum....

[Tim Marlow]

Scalpel and very fine sanding has got rid of some of it, will have another go tomorrow. Just annoyed with myself for being so sloppy!
Ho hum....

You can get a product called Mr Surfacer which deals with the fine scratches that will be left. It’s basically a fine thin filler. When the surface is pretty close, finish sand it wet with 2000 grit paper and you will end up with a surface that is as good as the original.

[Jim R]

I agree with the others. Sand, polish, fill, repeat. As Tim says we have all done it. Just be very gentle and patient and the surface can be restored.