How to Get Gorilla Glue Off Skin: Easiest Ways

Gorilla Glue is one of the strongest glues out there, and it can be tough to remove once the glue dries. If you’ve ever gotten Gorilla Glue on your hands or fingers, you know how difficult it is to remove it!

Whether you’ve accidentally spilled the glue or some seeped onto your fingers while working on an arts and crafts project, don’t be intimidated! There are several easy ways to remove Gorilla Glue.

How to Get Gorilla Glue off Your Skin: the Basics

There are three usual ways to get Gorilla Glue off your skin. Every glue spill situation is different, but whether the Gorilla Glue is still wet or if it has dried on, it’s possible to remove it from your skin – so don’t worry!

Clean it up as Soon as you Can:

Gorilla Glue dries quickly, so have some paper towels or a rag handy for any unexpected accidents. If your spilled Gorilla Glue is still wet and tacky, wipe away the spill as soon as you can. You can wipe away wet glue with soap and water fairly easily.

Dissolve it with Acetone Nail Polish Remover:

Nail polish remover with acetone is a powerful and safe way to get Gorilla Glue off your skin. Because it was created to be used on nails, you don’t have to worry about damaging your skin or hurting yourself. Soak the skin in the acetone polish remover solution for 1-2 minutes, and you’ll be able to rub the remaining glue off.

You can also use this method with cold water and soap. Soak the skin in the cold soapy water for several minutes, and then rub off any of the Gorilla Glue that’s left on your skin.

Exfoliate it Off:

You’ll likely still have to exfoliate any remaining Gorilla Glue after you’ve wiped or dissolved the majority of the glue on your skin. You can use a premade exfoliant from the store, or you could even make your own. Try combining rough sea salt crystals with a soothing oil like coconut. The rough sea salt is abrasive enough to get Gorilla Glue off your skin, and the coconut oil will soothe any discomfort from all of the rubbing!

How to Remove Gorilla Glue from Skin when it is Still Tacky

Gorilla Glue is much easier to remove before it has a chance to dry. If you’re quick on your feet, you can use the methods below!

Let’s take a look at some more ways of removing Gorilla Glue from your skin if the glue is still wet and tacky:

Wipe it up with a Dry Cloth:

You’ll have a much easier time removing wet and tacky Gorilla Glue from your skin, so, as mentioned, always try to have a cloth or paper towel handy to wipe up any accidents! If you get to a spill a few minutes after it happens, you won’t have to worry about going through the process of removing dried-on glue. Simply wipe away the spilled glue with a dry cloth, and you can get back to the project you’re working on.

Wash your Skin with Soap and Water:

Gorilla Glue is water-resistant, which means it dries up almost immediately on contact with water. However, if you rush to the sink within a few seconds or minutes of the spill, you may have some luck with this method. Opt for liquid soap versus bar soap. If you don’t have sensitive skin, consider dish soap as it’s more powerful. Although the glue is water-resistant, there are components in soap that will help to break down the glue before it dries and gets stuck to your skin.

Now that you know what to do if you have tacky glue stuck to your skin, let’s look at what you can do if the glue has had a chance to dry.

How to Remove Gorilla Glue from Skin when it has Already Dried

Dried-on Gorilla Glue is notoriously difficult to remove from the skin. Still, there are several methods for removing it if you have some basic products and a little bit of patience.

Use a Rough Surface like a Pumice Stone to Rub the Affected Area:

If exfoliant just doesn’t do the trick, you’ll need to use a rougher surface to remove the stuck-on Gorilla Glue. A pumice stone is a great option, but you can use a knife sharpening stone, a piece of rough wood, or an index card if you don’t have one. Start off slowly and begin to rub the affected area of your skin.

Be careful not to rub too hard or too quickly as you don’t want to remove your skin in the process. Use the rough surface for a few minutes, and then switch to your fingers to give your skin a break. You should try this method first, and if it doesn’t work, move onto one of the other options below!

Use Oil to Soften the Glue:

Oils or oil-based products are some other options for removing Gorilla Glue. You can use household products like lotion, baby oil, olive oil, or even sunflower oil. Heat the product in the microwave for 10 seconds before applying it to the dried-on super glue for an even more effective way to remove it.

If all else fails, you can try a lip balm or gloss, petroleum jelly, or even an oil-based make-up remover. If you want to use a more natural product, opt for argan oil or shea butter. Whatever you choose, rub it onto your skin for a few minutes. The oil will help to work through the dried-on glue without harming your skin.

Soak the Affected Area in Warm Water:

Gorilla Glue is water-resistant, but this method will help to soften the stuck-on glue. Make sure to use warm water, as this will help to soften the glue so that you can move onto the next method if an oil-based product doesn’t help.

Use a Dull Edge to Scrape it Off:

You can always try to scrape off the stuck-on super glue with a blunt object like a butter knife after you’ve rubbed an oil-based product on it. You’ll need to be careful with this method as it can be dangerous, especially if your hands are oily. You should be okay if you choose a really dull edge, but keep in mind that your skin is under all that Gorilla Glue – proceed with caution!

Rub the Area with a Lemon:

This is a great option if you want to use an all-natural product to remove any dried-on Gorilla Glue. Simply apply the lemon to the glue and move in a back and forth motion. You can also use a citrus-based cleaning product that’s safe for skin. However, you’ll have to be careful with this method as well, as if your hands are cut or scraped from botched removal attempts, the lemon could irritate your skin.

Make your own Gorilla Glue Remover:

Calling all DIY enthusiasts! You can use a homemade mixture and create your own remover for Gorilla Glue. This method is so effective that people who use the Gorilla Glue bonding ingredient in industrial settings use the same formula to clean up large spills. You’ll need a few household items: liquid detergent, washing soda, and water.

Mix 5-10% washing soda with 2% liquid detergent. Then, add water to reach 100%. Place your skin in the mixture and wait for a few minutes before rubbing it off to remove excess glue.

Simply Wait:

If you wait long enough, any dried-on Gorilla Glue will eventually come off on its own. This method is the safest on your skin, as you don’t need to worry about any irritation from harsh chemicals or excessive rubbing. You’ll want to make sure to keep your skin moisturized as the glue wears down and falls off, as the process can cause your skin to become dry, flaky, and irritated.

Getting Gorilla Glue off skin is one thing, but what if you spill the glue all over your hands and fingers?

Frequently Asked Questions

How to get Gorilla Glue off Hands and Fingers

If you find yourself with your fingers glued together, don’t panic! And, definitely don’t try to pull your stuck-together fingers apart as you could tear your skin. Soak your fingers in acetone nail polish remover, and as they soak, try to pull your fingers apart. If you let your fingers soak for long enough, you will be able to slowly spread them without the risk of pulling off your skin.

Then, to finish up the job, try some of the methods above to remove any remaining glue from your fingers. Remember to go slowly, have a little bit of patience, and be gentle on your skin.

Is Gorilla Glue Toxic on Skin?

Gorilla Glue can be toxic to your skin. If you get Gorilla Glue on your skin, you should try to remove it as quickly as possible. However, Gorilla Glue is much more harmful if you inhale it or ingest it. If either happens to you, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Will Gorilla Glue Eventually Come off Skin?

Yes, it will. As you can see from the methods above, Gorilla Glue does eventually come off skin. Whether the glue has dried or if it’s still wet and tacky, you’ll be able to remove it using a variety of ways. These ways include exfoliation, using a dull edge, soaking in water, or using a homemade mixture made of common household products. Don’t panic if you get a little bit of glue on your skin; move quickly, and it shouldn’t become a problem.

How Long Does it Take for Gorilla Glue to Come off Skin?

It depends on whether the glue has dried or if it’s still wet. If you catch the spill when it’s still wet, you’ll be able to remove the glue very quickly with a dry cloth or paper towel. If the glue has dried, the process will take a bit longer.