What is the most effective, easiest way to remove glue squeeze out?
Our lab tested six different methods. The clear winner: Wipe it up with a wet cotton cloth, using straight (vs. circular) swipes. This method removed all the glue; no sanding was required to remove residual glue. The lab techs noted that they soaked the cloth in water and wrung it out just until it stopped dripping. The water thins the glue for easier removal and raises the grain, in just three minutes!
Wiping with a wet cloth proved to be the best method of removal. But if you've got a favorite method for removing squeeze-out and want to stick with it, go for it! All of these methods work. Some just take more effort and time than others.
| Ranking & Results of Wood Glue Squeeze Out Removal Techniques |
| Rank |
Method |
Sanding Time Per Foot |
Observations |
| #1 |
Wiped the glue with a wet cotton cloth to remove the glue by straight wiping surface. The wet cotton cloth was soaked in water, removed dripping wet then rung out until the water stops dripping. Wiping continued until all wet glue is removed from the surface. Sanded after 24 hours. |
No sanding required for removing the glue. |
A large amount of water thinned the glue for easier removal and soaked the surface of the wood which raised the grain. Rinsed the cloth twice with a 3 minute removal time of the wet glue. |
| #2 |
Left the glue squeeze out to dry for 20 minutes before scraping with a Titebond Titebrush tapered end then sanded after 24 hours. |
1 minute |
Sanded easily. Some glue was left on the surface after the tapered tool scraping. |
| #3 |
Wipe the glue with a wet cotton cloth in a rolling motion. Wiping will continue until all wet glue is removed from the surface. Then sand after 24 hours. |
2 minute |
A slow wiping process (16 minutes). 18 rolls of the cloth and then some of the glue dried on the surface. |
| #4 |
Left the glue squeeze out to dry fully, then scraped off excess with a sharp chisel before sanding. |
5 minutes |
The glue did not peel off but came off in chunks and pulled off wood fibers. Difficult to remove the dried glue without gouging the wood. |
| #5 |
Left the glue squeeze out to dry fully before sanding. |
8 minutes |
Sanded easily but gradually. |
| #6 |
Wiped the glue with Titebond Adhesive Remover in a rolling motion. Wiping continued until all wet glue is removed from the surface. Then sanded after 24 hours. |
10 minutes |
A very slow wiping process (20 minutes). 16 rolls of the cloth and then some of the glue dried on the surface. Oil from the wipes was left on the surface of the wood which was removed after the removal of the glue. |
Whole summary report can be found here: Summary Report TS 9188 Testing of Wood Glue Squeeze Out Removal Techniques.pdf (3.34 mb)