Hi Everyone:
Any suggestions in how to remove construction adhesive (PL) from your hands? I’ve tried everything and I can’t budge the stuff. I’m sick and tired of going out with my wife to dinner or over to a friend’s place with those tell-tale black smudges all over my hands. Any suggestions are welcome.
cheers from Toronto
thanks JP
Replies
If it is the polyurethane glue, you need to hit with mineral spirits the second you touch it. If it is dry there is not a solvent that can remove it-I have tried them all. If you are very desperate 200 grit sandpaper may work, 100 grit should work just fine.
My wife looovvvessss it when I come home with glue hands.
Regards
Bruce
What Hiker said, and if you can't get to it 80 grit paper will work later (then 120 then 200)
When I'm using ureathane caulk or ureathane based glues I use cheap, disposal non-sugical latex gloves. Do the task, throw them out! I keep a box in my truck and a box in my work room. Regular gloves would just transfer the mess somewhere else. Available at most drug stores or pharmacies.
I usually try to do the same. My problem is the rip in about five seconds and I am back where I started from. I also have to buy XXL gloves to fit my paws. Nobody around stock them-special order- I can never remember to get them prior to when I need them.
You might try the old trick of rubbing your hands down good with hand cream before starting to play with the glue.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
Hand cream is really not an option because I do not want some exotic oil getting in the wood and messing up our finish. Frankly, I do not mind the stained hands so much anymore, but I need to try Bill Brennans approach with alcohol. I have had a beer or two after working with the poly glue-did not seem to help. Maybe I should step up to tequila or bourbon. I pass on the results.
Regards,Bruce
Edited 8/31/2007 3:38 pm by Hiker
Gemplers and most of the woodworking online suppliers have good nitrile ones. I buy full box at a time.But I don't bother with them for subfloors and that kind of PL job, just for glues up in the shop
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I am starting to feel like the polyurethane glue poster child. I like the nitrile gloves alot. The problem is my associates grab whatever glove is first out of the supply cabinet. It usually is the XXL that fit my hand. Most of them can get by with the easily acquired "one size fits all".
Call it stubborn, I simply do not buy the special gloves and suck it up or let them do the gluing. However, it is inevitable that an additional hand is needed-usually mine, without glove, totally covered in seconds.
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Edited 8/31/2007 5:27 pm by Hiker
Getcha a big bottle of TIME. That and acetone will do it.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"
Pumice stone.
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Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
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gloves
I do the same as Piffin. I keep a couple of lava stones in the shower like those meant for defoliation. One is coarser, more like a grill cleaner, for the tuff stuff. I'm not a fan of putting heavy chemicals on my skin on a regular basis
Mike
Trust in God, but row away from the rocks.
Shaped explosives.
torch with a rose bud tip...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I have the same problem with working with the polyu foams. Great Stuff makes a gun foam cleaner that is really handy. It's just Acetone in a spray can. Very easy cleanup with a quick spritz.
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Oh, good Lord, no. But I can give him two dollars and an assault rifle.
A lot of times the container or tube will tell you what you need for clean-up, if not you can call the manufactor and they will tell you what they recommend; they are not all the same, luck.
"If all else fails, read the directions"
> if not you can call the manufactorYeah, sure. Then you've got your hand stuck to the phone and, if you're lucky, the phone stuck to your ear.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
I don't like phones, but sometimes they are the easist answer, luck.
As Sphere sez, a large helping of Time will do the trick.
I remember the first time I used poly glue. I was gluing up a 10' countertop consisting of about 15 or 16 strips of cherry. I thought poly would be great for a kitchen countertop, so I started squeezing and spreading away. Got a ton of it on me, but didn't think twice, figgering I'd just clean up after the clamps were on.
Once the thing was all clamped up, I headed to the sink and started washing with warm water. DOH! At the time, I didn't have a clue that water actually cured the stuff -- no way it was gonna get it off. I scrubbed for two weeks before the black splotches were gone. Sorta. ;-)
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
Bout 5 days unless you got it up to your elbows then you got to wear some heavy long sleave work shirt
In order of effectiveness and speed assuming it is dry:
1) Gloves - all traces gone in about 1 second per hand.
2) Acetone - 5 seconds, but need rinsing - nasty to skin, stings like crazy if any little cuts.
3) Liberal application of hand lotion or mayonnaise - let it sit a half hour or so and the oil will penetrate through the skin and under the glue - messes up the bond - you can then peel it off in small sheets. Collect and burn peelings if you are paranoid about anyone being able to get your fingerprints.
Warning: If you go for option #3 and choose to consume a brew or two while waiting -- watch your grip on the beverage or spillage may occur.
Enjoy!
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
Alcohol also removes fresh PL Premium from skin, but only when it's fresh, of course.Bill
Since MisterT hasn't said anything, NAPALM!
plan "B"...........Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
A little late for that, I suspect.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
it will remove the dried adhesive in an instant....Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
To do that it would have to have been "applied" quite a few years back.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
it will remove any that was applied a moment or two ago too...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Well, I suppose it can get you out of a sticky situation.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
angle grinder with wire brush.
expect skin "damage"
1. Time.
2. Next time put on hand lotion before using the PL. The cheap stuff that leaves a greasy residue. Not the good stuff your wife uses.
3. Learn not to get it on your hands in the first place. This method works the best.
Dave
Cheers from Niagara
I've used that oops stuff on clothes for regular subfloor adhesive. I personally like my hands lookin the way they do. Means I work and don't worry too much about vanity.
"it aint the work I mind,
It's the feeling of falling further behind."
Bozini Latini
I use GooGone works on Pl400/ Pl200 for hands and material.
but PL premium is a whole different kind of adhesive. It is a moisture curing polyurethene, so it begins to cure by contact with the moisture in the skin, adhering from skin contact point out to the air. It begins to cure almost as soon as contact is made, so it must have a chemical disintegration almost immediately to stop it from bonding.This is much different from the 200 or 400
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sorry, didn't see the mention of premium.
The original post didn't say Premium, thats why (G)Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"
That is true, but the description makes it clear...Anyhow, I guess I owe #9 an apologee
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I know ..I was helping keep things clear. My response was more geared towards premiun too, but asumptions can get one in a mess real quick sometimes.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"
No worries, it's all good to know.
My turn to sorry up.i wasn't meaning to chastise, only to enlighten
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