If you accidentally spill super glue on any leather surface, don’t fret. You have many options to choose from on how to remove super glue from leather, and if you don’t want to hire a professional cleaner, you can always Do-It-Yourself. Although there is a risk of permanently damaging the leather, the methods we will list down below are simple enough to guide you through the glue-removal process.
Can you get superglue out of leather seats?
As stubborn as they may be, yes, you are able to remove them from leather seats and other leather materials. However, the superglue itself may damage the leather as the solvent used can destroy faux leather and stain real leather.
Can you use Goo Gone on leather?
No, please do not use Goo Gone on real leather. Goo Gone themselves have indicated on their products that it is not recommended to use on real leather. However, you are able to use it on faux leathers like vinyl or upholstery on car seats. If you are not sure it is safe for your faux leather, test it in a hidden spot for staining.
How to remove super glue from leather
Getting glue stains on your leather couch or leather garment is bad news. Super glue is a very strong adhesive that can damage many materials including leather if not properly removed. It can be especially risky for suede as it can permanently ruin the fine velvet texture even if you follow all the steps. However, the damage can be limited so that it’s not so obvious.
For other types of leather such as real and genuine leather or faux leather, you can use one of the methods we will list down below.
Suede
Since suede has a more velvety texture compared to other leather materials, the method of removing superglue from it is different from the rest since you can’t use any wet substance on it. If you have a suede couch or suede jacket and you accidentally spilled glue on it, here’s how you can remove it.
Things you will need:
- Nail file
- Smooth sandpaper
- Clean brush
- Nail-polish remover (acetone-based)
- Cotton swab
- Tissue or any absorbent cloth
- Leather stain remover
- Suede brush
Steps:
- Wait until the super glue has fully dried and hardened on the surface of your suede item. Removing wet super glue will only spread it around.
- File it down using a nail file or fine sandpaper. Preferably 2000 grit.
- Once you reach the bare suede layer, stop gritting because it will damage the fibers.
- Brush away the fine residue of glue dust.
- Dab a bit of the nail polish remover on a less visible area to test if it will cause any discoloration. If there is none, you may proceed.
- Drip an acetone-based nail polish remover onto a cotton swab and carefully rub it on the glue stain. Leave it to soak for 2-3 minutes on the suede material.
- Gently dab the glue stain on your suede item using a tissue or an absorbent cloth. Repeat the process until all the superglue is gone.
- Moisten the area using a cleaning stain remover. This will also remove any nail polish remover that is left on the surface.
- Pat it dry using a clean dry cloth and let it air dry for several hours.
- Fluff the suede back up using a good suede brush and double-check to see if there are any stains left.
Soapy water
This is probably the easiest way you can get super glue off of any leather surface, except suede since it involves water. If you have a small and fresh stain of glue on your leather item, you can use this method without needing to scrape anything and risk scratching the leather surface.
Things you will need:
- Warm water
- Dish soap (mild)
- Plastic container
- Sponge
- Soft cloth
- Leather conditioner
Steps:
- Pour warm water and a few drops of dish soap into a plastic container. Lather it to form soap suds.
- Soak the sponge in the mixture and dab it on the area where there is super glue. The more precise, the better. Use a smaller sponge to do this.
- Leave the soapy solution on the super glue stain for an hour.
- Rub the spot using soft circular motions. You’ll feel the glue loosening up during this step.
- Use a clean and damp cloth to wipe away the soap mixture residue and pat it dry using a microfiber towel.
- Apply leather conditioner on the treated area.
Sandpaper
If the super glue that stained your leather couch is thicker and harder, using soapy water might not be enough to get rid of it. This is where scraping using sandpaper comes in. This process is similar to how you would do it in suede.
Things you will need:
- Sandpaper (at least 2000 grit or above)
- Emery board
- Soft cloth
- Leather conditioner
Steps:
- Using the emery board, gently scrape off the super glue on the surface. Don’t get too close so you won’t accidentally scratch the leather.
- Use a fine grit sandpaper (2000 grit) to sand away the areas where there is thick and hardened glue. Any grit lower than 2000 grit is too rough and will definitely damage the leather fibers, so stay away from those.
- After removing glue as much as you can using the chipping and sanding method, use a bit of the soapy water mixture to remove any remaining glue debris.
- Pat it dry using a soft cloth and apply leather conditioner after.
White Vinegar
White vinegar is known in the leather industry as a common household item that effectively removes stains on leather surfaces. The same is true when it comes to superglue. You can use white vinegar that is mildly acidic to remove super glue on leather but be careful as it can cause dryness and discoloration to the material.
Things you will need:
- White vinegar
- Warm water
- Soft-bristled toothbrush
- Plastic container
- Soft cloth
- Leather conditioner
Steps:
- Pour equal parts of warm water and white vinegar into a plastic container.
- Dip the soft-bristled toothbrush into the mixture and gently scrub off the area with dried stubborn superglue. Do this in a circular motion to lessen the risk of leaving scratches.
- Remove the excess liquid using a dry cloth and repeat the process until you see that the glue stain is gone.
- Apply leather conditioner on the area to prevent discoloration and dryness.
Superglue remover (Goof off)
There are specific products that are made to remove superglue very effectively. Superglue remover is usually acetone-based, but has other chemicals as well that act as a solvent that loosens the superglue quite quickly. A great superglue or Gorilla Glue remover you can use is Goof Off.
Disclaimer: Acetone isn’t a very safe product for you or your leather product. However, it is possible to use acetone, as long as you test it on your leather item to see if it removes any coating or dye. Avoid using it if the test does not go well and refer to the other methods. We do not claim any responsibility for any damage you may cause to your leather item.
If you are confident in dyeing the leather yourself to correct any staining caused by the acetone, that is your responsibility.
Do not use this product on faux leather as acetone may weaken the plastic on the faux leather. It is better to use Goo Gone on faux leather instead of Goof Off.
Things you will need:
- Superglue remover or Goof Off
- Clean cloth
- Saddle soap and saddle soap brush (or mild soap)
- Acetone-resistant gloves
- Leather conditioner
- Masking tape
Steps:
- Mask off any unaffected area to avoid getting the product on any unwanted areas.
- Apply the superglue remover onto the cloth.
- Wipe the cloth on the affected area. Rub gently in circular motions.
- Keep rubbing until any glue residue is completely gone.
- Use mild soap or saddle soap to remove any remaining product.
- As the product will dry out the leather, finish with a leather conditioner to return its protective layer.
Conclusion
Super glue is designed to stick things together permanently, which means spilling some on your leather items will ruin the texture and overall aesthetic of the item. It will also leave a noticeable bump on your leather once it is fully dried. Water and heat won’t solve your glue stain problems and that’s why we hope that this article has given you the steps you are looking for in order to effectively and safely remove superglue on any leather surface.
FAQ
Does acetone remove glue?
Yes, acetone can remove glue on any leather surface. It works by loosening and dissolving the hardened glue stain so you can easily wipe it away. It will also remove the sticky residue left by the super glue.
Acetone should be used with great caution. It should not be used on faux leather as it will weaken the plastic. Acetone can also remove any dye on the leather which will cause staining and it will be difficult to restore unless you have experience with leather dye.
How do you separate glued leather?
The glue used to put leather together can usually be weakened with heat. You can use a heat gun to soften the adhesive and use a bone folder or a wedged tool to separate the pieces of leather apart.
Does superglue ruin leather?
Superglue can ruin leather, especially faux leather as superglue usually has an acetone-based solvent that evaporates as it dries. Acetone can easily weaken plastics like the ones faux leather is made of. It can also stain real leather for the same reason. However, real leather can be redyed easily by professionals if it is high-quality grain leather.
