Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

jeff jones wrote:

Hi all, I put this question in this area so as not to interrupt other posts. Does anyone know a way to remove dry Pro Ca glue safely? Or could anyone direct me to a related post, couldn't find any on the search menu.

Thanks in advance

I would try acetone (available at any big box store in the paint dept, or at craft/hobby stores). I doubt it will affect the bamboo (although you should test the surface, say, on the back between the fifth hole and blowing end), unless the flute already has a finish of some sort on it; acetone will affect most non-epoxy finishes.

Acetone is the recommended solvent for CA, BUT, is most effective before the CA has had some time to cure. It'll probably work for you, but you may have to rub the area smartly with several applications.

Thanks Edosan and Yooper

jeff jones wrote:

Hi all, I put this question in this area so as not to interrupt other posts. Does anyone know a way to remove dry Pro Ca glue safely? Or could anyone direct me to a related post, couldn't find any on the search menu.

Thanks in advance

FYI: Self-sacrificing and altruistic person that I am (uh-huh), I tested the surface of one of my flutes with some commercial acetone I keep around. I applied it liberally using a paper towel and rubbed briskly. There was no effect on the surface of the bamboo, other than a modicum of cleaning. Note that I did NOT apply CA to the bamboo a priori
--I'm not that altruistic (although I'm quite sure it would've come off).

If you don't want to purchase an entire can of acetone, finger nail polish remover almost always consists of acetone.

Hi Jeff,

Not any new information here. Just support for what's been said already:

I wanted to second Mark and Toby's advice to be careful when using steel wool or scraping. I've found both are very effective as well and they DO work fast but you need to be careful. Too much rubbing with steel wool WILL start to take the skin off. And obviously, you need to be very careful with any scraping.

I've also had good luck with acetone, a rag and lots of rubbing. It's harder work and slower but perhaps safer.

Good luck!

Ken

If you're going to buy fingernail polish remover, read the label and don't buy acetone-free fingernail polish remover by mistake.

Hi, Jeff...

Most of the hobby C.A. de-bonders/removers are simply acetone mixed with a gel, allowing the solvent to "remain in place" for 5 minutes or so.  After that, 90% of the CA can just be wiped off with very little scrubbing, and a second application will solve that.  A ton of scrubbing with acetone could, potentially, alter the color of the bamboo.  Maybe the solution is somewhere in-between?

Hi!  Jeff!    Just wanted to add,  in more than thirty years of using acetone I have never seen it harm any kind of natural wood or skin,   but it will instantly remove most or all varnishes and colored stains and finishes on wood,  so David Brown flute people beware!!!!!      Also, if you are the type that religiously rubs their face oils in your flute or uses tea tree oils,  etc.,    the acetone instantly removes all that too,   so you must rerub that area more often after the glue is gone anywhere the acetone touched to regain it's lubricity.    Clint