How to remove superglue

[Bouleversee]

Duct tape sounds worth trying and easiest option. Otherwise, as suggested, by a new one though I don't like the only ones available locally. Thanks for all suggestions.

[vrdiver]

Re: Removing superglue from your fingers. Have you tried a blowtorch?

With respect, the need was to remove superglue from fingers, not fingers from superglue...

[melonfool]

Oh good grief - buy a new watering can!



Mel

[dionaeamuscipula]

Thanks to all. Problem solved so far as the superglue is concerned. However, after all that I haven't completely cured the leak. Next question: does anyone know how I can seal a pinprick hole in my plastic watering can?

With straw, of course, dear Liza.

DM

[bungeejumper]

With straw, of course, dear Liza.

Don't start the OP down that road. Next thing, she'll be asking where she can get an axe sharpened. It always ends in tears.

BJ

[Itsallaguess]

Thanks to all.

Problem solved so far as the superglue is concerned.

Come on now Boulerversee, that won't do.....

You'd had a load of suggestions, and you've now simply come back and told us that you're fine, and that you've sorted it out.

That's not much of a historical document for our much improved forum search-facility now, is it?

I always prefer the more rounded threads, where suggestions were offered and where the OP eventually comes back and tells us not only that they're now in a much better position, but also, importantly, what they ended up doing that actually worked....



Cheers,

Itsallaguess

[Bouleversee]

Thanks to all.

Problem solved so far as the superglue is concerned.

Come on now Boulerversee, that won't do.....

You'd had a load of suggestions, and you've now simply come back and told us that you're fine, and that you've sorted it out.

That's not much of a historical document for our much improved forum search-facility now, is it?

I always prefer the more rounded threads, where suggestions were offered and where the OP eventually comes back and tells us not only that they're now in a much better position, but also, importantly, what they ended up doing that actually worked....



Cheers,

Itsallaguess

Well, I did say in 153233 that I was going to try sandpaper which I think was the only option left. My next post was intended to confirm that that (plus scrubbing which I think was also suggested) had worked.

[Itsallaguess]

Well, I did say in 153233 that I was going to try sandpaper which I think was the only option left. My next post was intended to confirm that that (plus scrubbing which I think was also suggested) had worked.

Great news Bouleversee, and good to hear that you're finally super-glue free!

If you're still wanting to try something else on the watering can, before ditching it and getting a new one, I think you might have some success with one of the two-part epoxy resins, similar to this -

http://media-poundland.scdn1.secure.rax ... 4185_6.jpg

They're incredibly useful, and a quid is cheap enough to give it a go, I think. You'll need to make sure everything is 100% dry inside and out, around the area to seal, and I'd recommend smearing some around the inside and outside areas of the leak, just to make sure.

It dries pretty quickly if it's mixed right, so certainly something to think about if you've not already thrown it away.

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

[AleisterCrowley]

Watering cans are, by definition, leaky. Is it spraying back at you in an annoying manner, like an enraged cobra spitting venom?
If so, patch of duct tape
If not, ignore

[AleisterCrowley]

Too late- now how do I get this microwave off my head so I can go down the pub?
I thought concrete was too dangerous, so used quick-set epoxy resin

[Bouleversee]

Watering cans are, by definition, leaky. Is it spraying back at you in an annoying manner, like an enraged cobra spitting venom?
If so, patch of duct tape
If not, ignore

No, but it drips on the floor if I carry it from the kitchen or bathroom (we are encouraged to save water!) and it is wasteful if I am using liquid fertiliser and don't want to use all at once, so I have to use a bucket instead which is not so good in the garden. No big deal if I have to buy a new one if I can find anywhere which sells the type I want but if I can mend this one, so much the better and one less plastic item to dispose of; can they be recycled, I wonder. Anyway, I have just tried applying silicone (duct tape didn't work) and will let you know if that works as I am sure you are all agog.

[AleisterCrowley]

I'm on the edge of my seat !

Shiny plastic can be difficult to adhere to (and has to be clean)

[melonfool]

Would Sugru be the answer?

Mel

[Breelander]

(duct tape didn't work)

A roll of Unibond Power Tape was one of my most useful purchases. Think 'duct tape on steroids' - it sticks to anything! Totally waterproof and will survive in all weathers, the hardest frost or baked in the sun.

https://groceries.asda.com/product/glue ... 0000393970

(other suppliers are available)

[bungeejumper]

Most of my plastic watering cans simply perish, because the UV in daylight degrades the plastic so that they turn into poor fragile creatures that aren't even properly strong enough to sustain their own weight. You could crush them into a thousand fragments with the grip of one hand.

If we're being half-serious about this hole in the watering can, the only thing I've ever known to work properly on thermoplastics is a hot glue gun. OTOH, by the time you've spent a tenner on a HGG you might as well have treated yourself to a nice new mid-range watering can.

You'll also have saved yourself the irksome bother of asking about how you get cold congealed hot glue off your fingers.

BJ

[melonfool]

What is wrong with steel watering cans anyway?

Mel

[jfgw]

Epoxy is good stuff but it will not stick to thermoplastics. You need a more specialist product such as this, http://www.williamhayes.co.uk/home/3m-p ... ves/dp8005 . How much is your watering can worth?

There should be a symbol on the watering can (it may be on the bottom) which identifies the plastic; something like one of these symbols, https://whatisnewinecomaterials.wordpre ... tion-code/ . Look it up and you will find that it does not glue easily. Read the instructions that came with your glue - they will say that the glue is not suitable for thermoplastics such as polythene and polypropylene.

Plastic watering cans are blow-moulded. This involves melting the plastic which can only be done with thermoplastics, i.e., those that cannot be glued with common adhesives.

Heat weld it - you know it makes sense! Or, as has been suggested, use a pot mender.


Julian F. G. W.

[mc2fool]

(duct tape didn't work)

Uh?!? What sort of duct tape did you use to cover your pinprick hole?!?

I have a bucket I use for lugging water which developed a 4 inch crack in the side (probably from too forcefully stacking it with other buckets) and was making a fair impression of Angel Falls, and a strip of duct tape on the inside fixed that. I actually put a strip on the outside too, for reinforcement, but the inside strip alone stopped it leaking, and I've used it dozens of times since without a drop dripping from it.

And I didn't use any particularly special duct tape, indeed, it's a generic, unbranded, one bought from my local generic cheapo "home accessories" shop (although I did use the heavier duty of the two generic duct tapes I bought from said generic shop).

[AleisterCrowley]

What is wrong with steel watering cans anyway?

Mel

Rust (never sleeps)

[melonfool]

My dad had a steel one for very many years.

Mel