Here is the best way to deal with glue squeeze-out when assembling a project. This marks the end of errant glue spots and fingerprints when applying finish.
Source: Wood Magazine, July 2022 Edition
- Putty knife
- Scraper
- Chisel, bevel up
- Wipe it off too soon and you force the glue into poors, making it more difficult to remove
- Wait too long and you risk tearing out chunks of wood along with the hardened glue
Recommended Tool
Effective glue removal comes down to the timing
The Solution
Instead, wait about 30 minutes after applying clamps and check the glue. Once it congeals to a rubbery consistency, you can remove the gelled glue cleanly, without pulling up any surrounding wood.
- Head off squeeze-out at the pass by masking along the joints before assembly. Once the glue dries partially, peel away the tape and the squeeze-out along with it.
- For areas where masking isn't practical, finish your project parts before assembly, keeping the stain and finish off glue surfaces. PVA glue won't adhere to the finish, allowing you to pop off the dried glue with a putty knife or the edge of an old credit card.
- Regardless of how diligently you remove squeeze-out, always double-check for dried glue before applying a finish.
- Wiping down project surfaces with mineral spirit reveals any overlooked spots of glue. Remove them by scraping and sanding.
