The way to Get Hot Glue Off a Table Without Damaging the Wood or Stain
The adhesiveness of hot melt adhesive is really a desirable quality when using it to stick things together, but never when attempting to eliminate it by a tabletop. The good thing is that it does not grip as persistently as some substances, which leaves you with different alternatives for tilting its grip without damaging the end of the table.
Heat or Cool the Glue
Hot melt adhesive, which is typically a combination of polyester and polystyrene resins, reacts to both heat and cold. To eliminate it from a completed tabletop using heat, cover it with a absorbent rag and set a warm iron to the rag for about 30 seconds. The adhesive should melt down, and what does not soak into the rag can be wiped away. As an alternative, put an ice cube in a plastic bag and set the bag on the adhesive deposit. After about two or three minutes, the adhesive should be fragile enough to tap with a block of wood and a hammer to break it to pieces that are removable.
Dissolve Using a Solvent
You can even remove hot melt adhesive with acetone, but you have to do that carefully, since acetone can potentially damage the wood’s finish. Apply a small amount of acetone into the adhesive with a cotton swab, let it work for a limited time, then rub with a cloth. You may have to repeat this several times to get all the glue. Test the solvent on an inconspicuous part of the table initially to refrain from damaging it.
