How to remove super glue from granite countertops

Maybe you were busy doing some craft in your kitchen, and it was too late when you realized that you should have laid out some newspaper sheets first. To your dismay, your precious granite countertop ended up with super glue. If you ever find yourself in this sticky situation, it is vital to learn how to remove super glue from granite countertops.

Super glue is one handy material for most DIY projects. But, the fact that it forms a rather powerful bond almost immediately with most surfaces can lead to as many issues as it can solve.

Super glue can stick to your skin and other materials like wood, metal, stone, and pretty much anywhere that you don’t want it. Your granite countertop is unfortunately not an exception.

It is always such a scary thing if superglue ends up somewhere it isn’t wanted. But, the good news is that all hope is not lost. You can still remove super glue when necessary.

How to remove super glue from granite countertops before it hardens

If you have accidentally spilled some super glue on your granite countertop, you need to move as fast as you can to get it cleaned up. It will mean more work for you if you wait until cure time is reached.

There are only two steps that you can follow for getting super glue off your counter before it even gets the chance to totally harden.

1. Use warm water to wet a sponge or paper towel.
2. Wipe away the excess glue and get rid of the sponge or paper towel immediately. 

If the superglue you spilled is of a larger amount, here are the steps to take when you go about cleaning it.

1. Apply some water to the spilled super glue then let it cure first.
2. Scrape away the cured glue using a putty knife or any other sharp object.

You need to be extra careful with delicate surfaces since some damage may occur on the granite material of your countertop. Always refer to the care instructions first for your counter before you scrape it off using sharp objects. 

How to remove hardened super glue from granite countertops

If the super glue is already cured, don’t worry because there are just a few simple steps you need to follow:

1. Use a putty knife or any other sharp object to scrape away the excess glue. Be careful to prevent damages. Make sure that you scrape the glue and not the countertop itself.
2. Use warm water and towel for soaking the remaining glue to soften its grip. 
3. Apply warm soapy water and a sponge to scrub the glue. To get the best results, you can use the abrasive part of the sponge.  

How to use acetone to remove super glue from granite countertops

Most companies produce quick-setting adhesives strong enough to support construction workers from a beam, as one iconic ad has stated. While this might be a bit of an exaggeration, cyanoacrylate adhesives are not that easy to remove.

However, despite being strong, they still have one Achilles heel and that is none other than acetone. With the help of an acetone-based paint thinner from the garage or a bottle of nail polish remover, that super glue stain on your beautiful granite countertop will soon become history.

Acetone is your next best option if the water and soap method didn’t do the trick. A cotton ball and a bottle of acetone-based nail polish remover will be enough. The following are the steps you need to take:

1. Dip a cotton ball or Q-tip into the acetone.
2. Rub this in on the glue in small circular motions until it loosens. Make sure that you just keep the acetone on the glue and not on your countertop itself.
3. Use a knife to scrape the super glue away.

Acetone is considered safe for all types of kitchen countertops, including those made of granite, quartz, laminate, Corian, and marble. Don’t forget to test first the acetone on the unseen portion of the surface to check if it will not cause any discoloration on the area.

For granite with a finish, you might need to repair the finish first after you removed the glue. However, you will be able to limit the size of this repair as long as you are careful.

Other steps for removing super glue from granite countertops

Aside from the steps mentioned above, there is another process that you can follow for removing super glue on your granite countertop. For this procedure, you will need the following:

• A cloth
• A cotton ball
• Dish liquid
• Plastic wrap
• Pure acetone
• Rubbing alcohol

Follow the steps below to remove the superglue:

1. Form suds by stirring some dish liquid in the water. 
2. Soak a paper towel or cloth with the soapy water.
3. Lay the soaked cloth or paper over the super glue.
4. Allow the cloth to sit on the super glue for a few hours. You can rewet the cloth or just use a plastic wrap to cover the glue if needed to help hold the moisture in.
5. Once the glue turns soft, scrub it away carefully with the damp cloth.  
6. Use a razor blade gently if needed to scrape off the glue.  
7. For more stubborn glue, you can try to use either pure acetone or rubbing alcohol. Apply the cleaner to dampen a cotton ball then rub this over the glue until it is gone.
8. After you remove the glue, use a damp cloth to wipe the area and remove any residue of the cleaner.

Other advice and tips to remember when removing super glue from granite countertops

• Rubbing alcohol and acetone might end up removing the finish of certain finishes. Don’t forget to test the cleaning solution first on a hidden small spot of the surface to check for any possible adverse effects.
• Avoid using nail polish remover instead of pure acetone since polish remover usually contains other dyes and chemicals.
• You can also remove super glue with lighter fluid but it might be unsafe for the granite. Again, test it first on a hidden part.  
• A dark water stain might be left behind after the glue is softened. This will fade away once the water evaporates.   

Would you like to learn how to remove burn marks from countertops, how to clean white corian countertops or how to remove oil stains from granite too?